Sunday March 9th 2025 Formosa to Palo Santo
Nice early start, both itching to get back on the bikes, not from the bed bugs I might add! Even had a kettle in the room so had the luxury of coffee with the porridge and bananas, got the bike down the stairs from the 1st floor, then loaded them up with all the bags. Getting very fit but skinny now, can’t lift my bike when its fully loaded, still pretty dark, but was so excited to be back on the road off we went, navigating through the back streets of Formosa, with a cunning plan, either stay at a place called Pirané after 60 odd miles or crack on another 20 odd miles to Palo Santo, depending on how we felt.

Great early morning ride, with an overcast day forecast, possible raining later on according to the Bingo our expert meteorologist / ornithologist. Smashed the first 4 hours of riding, keeping up a good speed, with the traffic nearly non-existent and a flat road made for good progress. Bingo also had a productive day with his ornithology charts two new spots this morning, White Monjito (Xolmis irupero) and Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) he was well pleased.

Stopped after 4 hours riding, in a tiny village with a little shop open luckily, though they did not understand my Spanish, sure they speak a local dialect in some of the remote areas possibly Andean Spanish, whatever it is they dont understand my near perfect Andalucian Spanish (it’s very poor). Managed to get a large bottle of a soft drink and water, but struggled with asking for the cups, so we went without.

I knew Big Dave and my brother Steven were out on their bikes, so took a long shot and whatsapp called them, sure enough they were in the pub “Two Sawyers” (would not happen on my watch) had a great little chat with them both and the added bonus of Ray the original weatherman Skelton, being there, great stuff.

Cracked on, within no time we needed to make a decision, easy really still only early crack on and head to Palo Santo, no sooner had we gone past the junction, the heavens opened so what we are enjoying it, feels quite nice and keeps you cool. Just kept going until we reach the Palo Santon, pull into the service station and have nice cup of coffee and a horrible sandwich, check out the first place to stay, no room at the inn, not looking good, as the rain is coming down harder now. Don’t fancy camping in the rain, but we may have to, the next place has no telephone number, but only 3 minutes away, so ride up to the place, all sorted in no time at all, booked in and in the shower, before the guy changes his mind as we are dripping water all over the floor. He just smiles, said pay me later, we will this time.