Tolhuin to wherever we are now... some little cross-street town called hope (Esperanza, Argentina)

We asked for a break in the weather, even begged.  And Patagonia replied, “Why sure, here, have a day’s grace.  I will give you a day with a light tailwind, but it will cost you.”  And surely it did.  The worst gravel road yet!  Frustration at knowing the winds are perfect, but there’s no hope in using the advantage as everything on the bike shutters as we wind up the gristly road.  

Then, just to make sure you’re not having too much fun with the light tailwind as you smash your way over rocks and potholes, Patagonia gives you a couple of steep climbs.  Your tires slip and lose grip because your gear is so high and you’re barely moving.  That’s when it’s hard to believe you actually signed up to do this.  The ridiculousness of the moment wells up inside and although you can barely draw enough breath to get up the hill, hysterical laughter escapes your mouth.  Both laughing. Laughing because it’s too hard, laughing because at least you’re giving it a shot, laughing because you aren’t sure you’ll make it to the top.  

And then finally, like some kind of reward for pushing on, for daring to continue, we are back to the pavement and rolling along the undulating yellow fields of Argentina.  It feels remote.  Not unlike some of those familiar places in Australia and I realise, this is actually Argentina.  This is actually Patagonia!  This is actually the trip I began planning over four years ago!

Be xx

Ps: latest headlines: 

*beanies and beef cakes

*its all fun and games till somebody shits their pants

*”I feel like I just got out of the boxing ring...and lost!”