Saturday March 15th 2025 Bermejo to La Mamora
Sorted some Bolivian boliviano currency out, also managed to change over both the Argentinian and Chilean peso, so rolling in the dosh now, went down town Bermejo, tried the fresh fruit district, got some apples and bananas, then moved onto the supermarket district, not much of a supermarket just loads of stalls selling all sorts managed to get some cereal could of brought a sack of it and some yogurts. Walked past the same place we ate at this afternoon, good service so went in again, they was so pleased to see us made us very welcome. lovely people made me up a sin carne vegetable mixture with lots of spices, really nice, Bingo had the proper version with all the meat, lovely meal, great people what could be better.

Breakfast in Slade prison this morning, the place just looks like it was once a prison, Mr MacKay would not let us out till 06:30, not the normal prison grub ( not that I have ever tasted it!) we had yogurt, banana and some biscuits that i found in my bag, been there a while, but tasted great.

Off we went with a big days climbing ahead, Boliva is one hour ahead of Argentina, so it was pretty light at 6:15, Barraclough let us out for good behavior, another first for me. Not sure where we are heading just North, looks like a camping night, unless I can work the magic. Never mind that we have to get out of Town first, they are all setting up there stalls again, must be Market day everyday, very hectic as usual just followed Bingo in and out the stalls and all the people setting them up crazy, but quite good to see.

Finally got out of the market area, then its in the petrol station queue, same as yesterday at least a mile long! and it was not even open, on we went going back on yesterdays ride, something we try not to do, but needs must.

Then just 60 miles of up hill some parts stepper than others but 90% going up, get in the right gear and ride, the road was great and the traffic very light, so what more can you ask for.

Scenery has all gone forest now, looks natural and very green lovely change, mist hanging low over the Andes, as we start the climbs, feels good working the legs and getting through the miles, my brain had a bit of a hissy fit, as the time kept changing on the Garmin, between Argentinian and Bolivian as we hugged the border, just turned it off, on the same road all day so what.

Bingo now looking for some Mountain birds / animals not much spotted except for a superb Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus), these all go down in his little notebook you know. As an afterthought he then mentioned, as we was on the 38th switchback and I could hardly talk that he thought the Parakeets are different, spent a while in the trees then came back triumphantly yep they are need to check them out but definitely darker green, turns out it was a Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani) well done.

Had a few stops, watching the river, then on a bridge as the confluence (Lipeo River joined the Bermejo River), nice stop in the mountains, then carried on riding. Not a care in the world, expect where are we going to sleep tonight, worry about that later, just pedal and pedal. Stopped at a little shop, think we was the first customers this year, but managed to get a soft drink, Bingo did check the sell by date just for a laugh, not sure why as we had already drunk it. With 15 miles to go at 10% climbing stopped again lovely lady served us I though I had ordered a Chicken sandwich and an egg sandwich, we got two egg sandwiches not a bad result, but we could not finish the soft drink, gave her a tip and the big bottle of pop, she was well happy.

One big effort then we are done for the day, about 5 miles out we go through a little village El Pinal, looks like they have a place to stay, we stop go to the busiest place Residencial y Restaurante Doña, I think they have a room for us but not sure, all got a bit lost in translation, all sorted chatted to the lady in the kiosk next door, she came down and did the translation from the local dialect to Spanish, all booked in and paid, though it took an age. Ended up with a suite of rooms over the restaurant for £15 bargain.

Good days riding tough and hard but thats how we like it, even got some WIFI in the end, fair play to the mighty SCWRFC, just got beat in their semi-final, well played lads credit to the village.

Good night.