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Well as always an update on Mum, all is not well and again things have taken a turn for the worse. Sharon continues to look after Mum in very trying circumtances, the emotional highs and lows are difficult for all of us but it seems that Mum is peaceful amd sleeping most of the time. Anyway, as you can see we are now in Buenos Aires. Clare and I had problems with our apartment - or lack of - the one we had booked was "broken" or somthing like that so we had to be transferred to another one. The one we are in is lovely and only 4 blocks from the Rowes, two bathrooms, nice lounge and kitchen, so I guess in the end it worked out. We went for breakfast which Clare had included ... read more

Hi folks, as always an update on Mum, things are more positive and hopefully we are on the up. We were up very early, 2 am and even though I had taken a sleeping pill (or part of) it had no effect so I ended up with a couple of hours sleep at the most. We are now in Argentina and have just spent our first day in Iguazu and have spent the day back in Brazil getting soaked, thank god my camera is water resistant but I had to constantly wipe the lens as there is water everywhere. These are my first attempts at loading videos so we will see - I suggest that you play them with the sound off as all you here is a loud hiss - it is the noise of ... read more

Well another day another entry - this time we have been to Christ the Redeemer. But first - an update on Mum, she is on the mend, I actually spoke to her last night or your morning which was wonderful. She sounded weak and was desperate for a cup of tea. Good to talk to her. I have also been thinking about Dad as well, but I will fill that in later. So it was an early rise to beat the crowds, the bus came along about 7:30. This driver must have been in a mellow mood as he was not racing, the one on the ay back was not mellow - swerve here, accelerate there, brake here, then accelerate, swerve......... etc. But he got us back nice and quick and in one piece. Tip - ... read more

Well another day in Rio, big big walk - 4 hours all the ay along to the end of Ipenema and Leblong beach - all in mid twenties! Not many people around really compared to the weekends but still a few. Many were playing beach football and volley ball, some look actually like they were professionals with trainers and uniforms. Then back through the shops, which to be fair the only one that bought something was me - two bowls for breakfast which our apartment is missing. Tomorrow is still being discussed by those in charge - either sugar loaf or Big J, no doubt Pete and I will be told when we need to know. Clare just calculated it - 13 k - no wonder my feet are tired, helps equalize the Dulce de leche ... read more

Here we go with a few more photos, Clare and I had a very quiet day yesterday, just watched movies and read our books. It was the first day we had not done anything so it was nice - mind you. Today we went wuith Francesco up the coast to the Tamar turtle project, Praia do forte, which was really good. They have been open since 1984 and since then have managed to save or I believe breed 11,000,000 turtles which is really quite impressive. They have vaiety of big ones to look st which are sadly swimming in smallish pools, but we gather after a year they are released back to the ocean. Enjoy the photos. We are off early to Rio tomorrow so the next update will be from Copocabana! Just a note - ... read more