Monday 7 January 2013

Northwards, Chile & Argentina

Leaving Punta Arenas we headed north to Puerto Natales, good road all the way, windy as hell though just to make it interesting, we saw some Gaucho's on the way moving sheep, interesting especially when I spooked one of the horses! Oops, sorry mate, he got it back under control though. In Puerto Natales, stop for a coffee and met Robert, an American who stays down here and who tell us there is a Scot in the area, Duncan, and we should drop in. The campsite was good but noisy, the place is nice, like Applecross on the seafront but busier and more people, backpacker city so plenty music booming out till the early hours, not so good. In the morning we visit Duncan and his wife Gladys for a cup of tea and a good blether, apparentley there were several Scots in this area migrated including at least 2 from Applecross! Obviously they got fed up with the seafood at the Inn and came here for more beef or lamb (Joking Judy!) We headed to Torres del Paine the national park, pissing down with rain and Ripio most of the way, not a good day and very expensive, it may be good on a good day but on a bad day its like a dreich Glencoe with a poor gravel road, would you pay to do that? To be fair it was better in the morning but still not worth in my opinion the approx £22 to get in. Back to Cerro Castilla to find no petrol station, and then back into Argentina to join Ruta 40 (thankfully a paved section) up to El Calafate. El Calafate is a very nice tourist town, the main feeder for the world heritage site that is the Perrito Moreno Glacier, one of if not the only advancing glaciers in the world, $100ARG to get into the park and well worth it (£12) the road was the best we've been on, just like the Laggan road for those who know. The glacier is impressive, awe inspiring and no photo can do it justice. While I was there it seems the translation for Perito Moreno into scots could be Peter Moran (My brother in law) so thats it, now officially re named to the Peter Moran Glacier, and capable of supplying enough ice to keep my sister Laura going for a lifetime of Vodka!
Gauchos, easier on a quad mate!
Camping at the noisy place
Local Scot Duncan & Gladys
Petrol No more
Sunshine no more
 
Dry no more
Better in the morning though
Welcome to Potholes
Glacier Perito Moreno (Peter Moran) in the distance
Closer up
 
We were there!
Big Chunks falling off
Ice with that madam?
 

11 comments:

  1. That is some pretty spectacular scenery. Been meaning to ask, with all the sand and gravel, and now moisture...are the chain oilers holding up?

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    1. Yes but I had to change a nib (on the end) when it ran dry and melted the end, mines seems to only have one setting, on or on! but they are doing the job.

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  2. Some amazing photos!!! Loving the Peter Moran Glacier!!!! Take care and stay safe both of you, lots of Love
    Nicola, Brian and Lucy

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    1. Hi Nicola, yes I thought you'd like that one, another day camping here and then off to El chalten to look at more Ice, hills and ponds xxx

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  3. Photos are amazing the glacier looks fantastic, mind you the photo of Fi "Dry No more" just looks like the A82 in the background! Certainly is at this time of year, ride safe, all the best, Malky

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    1. Hi Malky, our thoughts exactly, we can get soaked in Scotlnd for free and the roads have tarmac!! Having a ball, wee bit hungover today, met some of the other guys last night. Get your notice in and head West young man!

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  4. Great photos love the "peter moran" glacier and there is no glacier big enough to keep me going in vodka big brother,but then you knew that anyway ,enjoy the next leg ,stay safe and speak to you soon on Skype ,love to you both from Laura ,peter and co xxx

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    1. Aye don't I know that, we'll keep it going and tell the non English speakers thats the translation, next 1200 miles mainly on gravel i think, hard going and sore on the bikes but good fun.Speak soon xx

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  5. hola gringos escocés
    Delighted to see progress, saddened to see that you didn't have the best of weather in Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. It was similar to the 'morning weather', all the time, when I was in there. Did you see the Black-necked Swans down by the ferry at Puerto Natales? Spectacular birds. Puerto Natales a bit like Applecross? More like Stonehaven on a good night!
    Out this weekend past, for a jaunt, 11C but wet and very slippery, the bike looking like GS1200's after pulling a 5 furrow reversible. Yours'll be similar.
    Good health, Bill.

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  6. Hola Bill
    Aye it was a "Paine" in the as*, nope the only black necks were ours from the dust on the ripio sections. GS 12's couldn't pull a 5 furrow reversible! Aye bikes are looking very dirty despite our best efforts, no point now until we see asphalt for a considerable time

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    1. Hola,
      Agreed, but maybe the grot 'll hide wee things that are unmentionable, so a once a week rub might be preferable. Bit like the Island days after so many laps. Have found my abysmal swan images, but can't paste them in here for you to have a look, probably for the best! Wind round to the east and touch of sleet and snow by the weekend. Cheerful!
      Slainte, Bill.

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