Entry #15:

 

16th February Rio Mayo

After a quiet night in the very pleasant hotel, the day was spent in collecting money, visiting the bank, haircuts (at least three, of which one female) laundry and searching for yet more Route 40 T-shirts. Arrangements were also made for activities on the following day.

In the evening we were the guests of some of the members “Club de Autos Sport y Clàsicos de Bariloche (CASCLAB)”. A short ride out from Bariloche along the shoreline is the very wonderful establishment "Blest" pub-cum-beer garden set up some 20 years ago by a couple of scientists from the Atomic Research Centre a couple of miles away, and has now become of the Bariloche's landmarks and the Atomic Centre lost two scientists to private enterprise. 

Our hosts the Belloras, Paco Garcia, Tavo Amadeo, Martin Ross and the Macnies (I think I may not have got all the names, spellings mistakes are definitely my error) had arranged a long table and a feast of food and perhaps a glass or two of the breweries own excellent beers. The company was lively and the evening memorable, agreement to horse riding was general, however the numbers declined next morning. Many connections were made and subjects ranged far and wide.  

17th February, Bariloche

Our first day in town had been very windy, overcast, cold and with whitecaps on the lake. Today however it was less windy and the sun shone. Martin Ross had kindly offered to assist with bank difficulties and went off with some of the group to play “cash machine lottery”.

I had, the evening before, talked of my disappointment at not being able to find a typically Argentinean gaucho hat called a ‘Boina’. Patricia and Jose Bellora had kindly offered to pick me up and find the said article. We set off and in a splendid shop with all manner of gaucho apparel I purchased a splendid ‘Boina’ to my delight. I owe them both an enormous thank you for their trouble and effort to help me.

On his return to the hotel Martin offered to lead the cars on a route along the southern shore of the lake, to a view and perhaps coffee. Three of the cars left and it was a very beautiful circuit we made, with great views and panoramas. Sadly due to other commitments we were not able to spend enough time looking at the scenery and also missed coffee.

The riders went off and enjoyed their afternoon on horseback, returning saddle sore and weary but full of enthusiasm for the organisers, the horses and the countryside through which they had ridden

In the evening we had been invited for a "picadita" at the home of Mac and Phyllis. We arrived by taxi, Mac & Phyllis living out of town on a hill with wonderful lake views.

Phyllis had spent much of the day making advance arrangements for us about returning the cars to the docks to be shipped home. In spite of that she provided some great food and we all had a very happy evening with them and their other guests, Alice, Sandy and Martin. Plans were laid to meet Martin in BA for an evening of Tango and we left having enjoyed a lovely evening in the generous company of  Mac and Phyllis.

18th February, Bariloche

Today we said goodbye to our friends in Bariloche and set out for the last park visit and mountain/lake town of San Martin de Los Andes

Mac, Phyllis and Martin had kindly agreed to accompany us on the first part of the journey to the road we had to travel. We said our final goodbyes and parted with sorrow.

Our path lay along the northern shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi, with stunning views across to Bariloche and into Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes. The park has many more trees than more southerly ones and it was quite breathtaking. We encountered probably our last serious piece of ripio and enjoyed the surroundings, with much more vegetation, green and lush.

The road ran on with views of the Andes to our left, the sunshine and trees, quiet roads and scenery were a delight and our final descent into San Martin de Los Andes would rival many mountain descents and views I think.

San Martin had a very contented and happy atmosphere about it and although it rained on our lay day there, I think we all enjoyed the opportunity to make short forays out to get lunch or coffee and cake, haircut! and dinner in a simple Italian restaurant, with very good homemade pasta.

20th February, San Martin de Los Andes

The road from San Martin to Zapala was to take us away from the lushness of the mountains and out into the flatter, arid regions leading away towards the desert. We could see the extinct Volcano Lanin, 3776 metres high and snow capped, for the first half of the journey as we wound out through the ridges and escarpments of the Sierra De Catan Lil.

We reached our destination, Zapala in the late afternoon and went to the hotel that also featured a Casino. There were little more than 4 rows of fruit machines, but it sounded racy. During the day, some attention had been given to Rusty’s continuing steering problem and it became easier and less unpredictable, due to the tweaks. Tyre wear was suddenly on the agenda and the rapid increase was rather worrying for most of the cars.

We had been kindly invited to dinner at the home of  Hugo Martinez and his wife Graciela with their friends Gustavo and Alicia Paz, a contact made through the local car club. The house is excellently suited to entertaining, from the main house across the small courtyard garden is the dining ‘hall’, with its large fireplace and table for 12 or more. The Asado was cooked in the courtyard over a BBQ and then moved to the fireplace where it finished cooking and was kept warm. Hugo and Gustavo, both excellent cooks had prepared the meat and sausage and served us delicious cuts from the joint. The ‘hall was decorated with hunting trophies and had an almost medieval feel about it. We enjoyed the many salads and side dishes and in particular a fine selection of red wines, some from Neuquen the centre of the local region. We were to meet up again in two days when we were to join a regularity run with the Neuquen car club to beauty spot at Villa El Chocon.