Atacama antics?

Actually we are now in Antofagasta de la sierras in argentina, and if you look at a map of this huge country it is inevitable that we would end up here. We have 1 hour before this internet closes to try and get some pictures on for you . ( There is some high intensity perfumed spray cleaning going on ....not much better than my rotten trainers smell )

 The Coffee Lure. My favourite part of the day. Jon can now entice me out of the tent. At over 4000mtrs its worth staying inside til the sun is up.
( p.s Have loaded all the pics back to front...so not only is blog already out of date its backwards too !)

 My new project. Coffee table books do not do justice to the amount of rubbish that is littering the world. It can look quite pretty from a distance.

 Camping near the coast....desert camping is always lovely.

 Miss this bit if you are squeamish. Been having big problems with permanent non-healing lower lip blister. Sticks to top lip in night ....gruesome bloody separation in morning.....(have pic but not suitable for general release ).This is a selection of remedies that do not work . Now ,under medical advice ...thanks Kath....trying antibiotics. Not convinced it is working yet despite full force optimism .

 This is unfotunately what happens if you drink too much salty water

 Whoops.In case you did{nt get a good look before

 Cacti with lichen growing on them . Wierd .Probably only in coastal deserts

 Jon getting a cacti fruit in case things get desperate later

Just to prove we did get to the pacific coast.All my pics of pelicans and penguins are blurry ....but you may get some at an inappropriate time in another blog. Fingers crossed this will publish...will try for a more stylish and well ordered one next time.Adios for now

One Month in

 

 jon is trying to remain calm in the face of the eternal struggle with technology. Since it is clearly impossible, there might not be many entries !

DAY 1 Only a fool would set off from Buenos Aires across the flat pampass in the mid summer heat. A perfect project for us then. First day . A bit hot.A bit lost. A bit of a dead dog smell. Just about to make the decision to go the dirt road route. Guess how good that was .

The pampass was more beautiful and interesting than expected. Whilst it was definately FLAT... the bird life was incredible.

An armadillo. Unfortunately have´nt seen a live one yet.

Spot Cav......Found out the Tour of San Luis was happening, so did a huge detour to get back to it. Had a chat with Mark though ! (best mates now )

Quite a lot of desert riding . Camping out is beautiful but its like sleeping on a hot oven as the ground does,nt cool. We always get thorn punctures as soon as we leave tarmac

A bit of an adventure . Crossing the high Andes . We had just enough food for 3 days and it took more ! We are experiencing problems keeping our shorts up. (I´ve put a tuck in mine !)

Dropping down into Chile. These roads are quite bonkers and yet ¨normal¨: people drive routinely across the border in their family cars.

Keeping entry short and sweet . Now in Vicuna Chile (really ! ) and off to coast to see penguins (really !).

jon may do a special "mechanical observations " feature another time .Something to look forward to then ,eh .