I had a solid nights sleep in my Airbnb - the family were friendly and even gave me a basic breakfast, which was kind. The weather was overcast and grey with a temperature of 18 degrees. As I pulled out of Copiapo (not a thrilling place) and started to rise, I entered more misty conditions. This continued for 80 miles and made this drab desert terrain, seem much worse because of the grey skies.
After an hour and a half the sun came out and the temperature rose and so did my spirits. At one point I thought I was going to get wet!! The road was modern and my 210 mile journey today had three toll stops (unheard of on such a short stretch). I paid more in tolls (about £3.00) on this road, than all of the rest of my journey through Chile. Why, I can't figure out, as it was no better nor worse than the other roads I'd been on. It is beginning to be less desert like as I head south, with signs of scrub type vegetation appearing. With the exception of a few snow peaked mountains appearing in the distance, the landscape was dull.
By 2.30pm I was driving into La Serena a beach resort some 300 miles north of Santiago. It wasn't beach weather however, as there appears to be a constant cold westerly breeze rushing in off the sea. My hotel is great, in fact it is a mini apartment with a kitchen, dining table and chairs and a seperate bedroom. Just over the road from the hotel is a small shop and bakers. This is what I found there:
Home from Home and not a chilli in sight
More of a meat pie than a pasty, but a very welcome change for my very late lunch - I also had a delicious cake, but I ate that without thinking to take a photo (I don't want to become too Facebookish). Barnecutts have nothing to fear from Chilean pasty makers. I reckon a Cornishman landed here at some time and taught them the art of pasty making, but over the years they have forgotten the essential ingredients, the carrots and swede. Having got myself a kitchen, I was able to wash all this down with a nice cup of tea (getting used to tea with no milk).
Finally, I managed to get some plans in place for my last 10 days in Argentina. My bike will be leaving on 21st November to get home in time for me to pick up on 1st December (that's the plan anyway). So with 9 days spare, I decided to hire a car and to head into Patagonia, I think I'll take my camping stuff and sleep out (preparation for my cold return to Cornwall) as Patagonia is meant to be beautiful, though being much further south it may still be cold. I have carried my duvet jacket all over the Americas and it has not come out of its bag - this may be the only chance it gets.
So an uneventful day (apart from my pasty of course), but a good time for me to get organised. I shall wait with baited breath for tomorrow's election results, if it goes the wrong way, I still reckon I'll have enough time to cross the Atlantic before WW111 begins!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment