Fifty not out!

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This short episode brings us to the very end of the Australian chapter and ushers in a new chapter, a new continent and a new half-century.

As expected we cruised into Sydney by train. All very cycle friendly. No need to ring the Punjab 28 times trying to get an affordable train ticket and make a booking for one of the two available bike spaces. En route we stayed with fellow touring cyclists:

Tania and Pat; currently planning a tour in Europe and Canada and now in possession of numerous tips and a shopping list of indispensible articles they will probably never use;

David, of welsh extraction and self-confessed francophile (never mind on both accounts) and demolition expert- his home presently resembles the before stages of an episode of Grand Designs;

and finally, before removing ourselves to a cabin closer to the airport, we met up with Teresa and Anthony who, those of you paying attention will recall, have appeared previously in these pages. Unfortunately, we gave them several items to post home for us and realise now that we gave them a woefully inadequate sum of money to cover the freight, so we´ll probably have to avoid them in future.

Anyway, we had a jolly time in Sydney. Took a look at the 2007 Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Fabulous photos, but sadly lacking in wombats and kangaroos. Took the lovely ferry ride to Manley where we found ourselves in reputedly the best spanish restaurant in New South Wales (like you do). But, best of all, a surprise present from family - we got to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. Just brilliant. Great views over the city, the harbour and the Opera House. No photos for you lot though; I´ve sent the official ones home via sea mail, so we´ll probably be home before them.

Then it was time to pack up and head for a new continent. And the following day was soooo loooong, but we did pack a lot in - 13 hours of flying; three breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners; three films; two bus rides and one taxi ride - and finally emerged in the pleasant town of Los Andes in the foothills of, you´ve guessed it, the Andes, 80 kms north of Santiago. We spent 39 hours trapped in February 18th - our own personal Ground Hog Day. How does that work?

And what next? Well the plan is to nip over the Andes (doesn´t sound too bad if you say it quickly) to Mendoza, then turn left and head to Salta in the North West. Next, we somehow make our way to Iguazu Falls in the North East, which might involve bussing through a big, flat, boring bit, then south to Buenos Aires, calling in on Uruguay on the way. Looks like about 5,500 kms of cycling in about three and a half months. Are you up for it?

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Photos

Harbour Bridge
Copy of the No. 1 single span bridge - on the Tyne!

Comments

[Dafydd of the Valleys]

Adieu mes amis!
"Grand Designs"!! more like Time Team if you ask me... Glad you survived staying in the construction site. I guess it's good not to get used to luxuries like floors and walls. Have fun in the Americas! Dave