Thursday March 13th 2025 Coronel Juan Solá to Embarcación
Bingo did his cooking thing last night, he is a good un, needs to keep abreast of the perishables, we cant have the vegetables going off, while he was busy cooking, I did the most important task, went down the village to get some light refreshments in, me always doing the essential tasks. Once again a lovely feast, needed two sittings, mainly because the bowls are not big enough, lovely washed down with a few wet ones, let you know that was my contribution.

Day break is definitely getting later, we are gunning for the off, but need to wait till 06:30 at least now, as we set off through the pot holes and sand, only for the first 1/2 mile, still made have a few choice words, could not see a thing, not sure if i was hitting pot holes or dead dogs or any animal for that matter, was glad to get back on the highway.

Another day riding better than working that’s what I say, when we get the puppies all oiled up its all systems go, takes us two old diesel engines a bit to warm up these days.

Off we go on the same route 81, bit of a strange route today, head North West until we hit the intersection with Route 34, then go South West ? just for 20 odd miles, all to do with a border crossing in a few days time. Ride and Ride, next to no traffic which is good, but not a lot going on, including the animal bird watch, so we just stooped through the first 35 miles with ease, then headed to the little village of Dragones, what can we find here, not much, but a happy guy selling stuff from his house, made us so welcome, came out with the Argentinian version of Bing, (Soft drink from yesteryear) that’s appropriate, great guy got all his mates involved selfies all around.

Infused with what ever was in the drink, frozen “Mate” I think, but it got us going, pushing the legs to the limit, what with yesterdays Gonzalez offering us Coca leaves, they do reckon they help with altitude sickness, think I need them for my attitude, then this stuff, going to stay with the beer, least I understand that I think.

We are flying now, all systems go, coming to the next village, had to swerve around the a flock of Goats as we entered the small village of Hickman, sounds English, but certainly did not look like it. Not sure how we found the little shop but we did, managed to get a normal soft drink and some cheese rolls, that the guy kindly made up for us, we look around, too many stray dogs so opted to ride on and eat the rolls later, said our thanks to the nice guy, and off we went, sat on the stools on the side of the road and had a little picnic, such a good life.

Another 25 miles to the junction so full steam ahead with a cheese roll and some weird stuff pumping around my veins let’s rock, the songs were come fast now, as we headed for the junction of route 81 to route 34, that’s the highlight of our day.

As we approached the junction crossing a disused railway line, still with the rails of some sort, noticed a little kiosk, so had a little break, not long mind you, a poor little injured dog came up to us, obviously be run over poor thing, on its last legs and smelt worse than Bingo, not good, but made us move on.

Last 24 miles into Embarcacion, bit of a bumpy road to start with, but then got better, with a little bit more traffic, than we have had for the last few days, but nothing we can’t handle. The view to the left was of the Andes mountains, here we go again from tomorrow, bit of climbing, bring it on.

Found a nice hotel, just inside the Town, all good, lovely shower wash the kit and eat, eat eat, with a few beers.