We have a brand new key ring for Poki’s keys. Wee Guillermo, Gustavo and Patricia’s 7 year old son, presented me with it. ‘I Love Paraguay’ and a big red heart in the middle. It will be a permanent reminder of the pleasure of meeting the family last night. Guillermo has a ‘thing’ about mobile campers and wanted to see how we managed to live in such a small space. Unfortunately he didn’t get to see it as we use it, as the hatches were down. With his parents love of travel and adventure, this wee boy is destined to spread his wings, in time.
Leaving Pilar.
By 10.30am we were heading back east for 160k’s before the more southerly route, towards the Argentine border. That, we’ll cross some time tomorrow. Meantime, as Jen mentioned yesterday, Poki had developed a whistling noise that goes away soon after start up. Undoubtedly it’s coming from the turbo and while it’s not too serious for now, we will need to deal with it. My suspicion, bearings. We’ll try and source some and have them fitted before shipping.
While negotiating the road out of Pilar, with it’s endless small motorcycles, mostly women riders, many with children of all ages, including babies under arms, helmet less, I couldn’t help thinking how over regulated and policed we are in our respective countries.
This little fella singing his heart out.
The road east is in good condition and nearly deserted. Sky is cloudy and temperature about 26degC. Maybe it’s because we both slept in till late, but I feel in some sort of euphoric state. Poki is going beautifully on her new shoes and we are heading homeward. That is exciting but while we are both looking forward to it, in this state, I would love to drive on forever.
Thinking forward already.
While the world journey is nearing its end, we are already keenly looking forward to getting Poki back to the UK and taking her to Europe for a couple of months. There are people to see and places to visit. I would love to take the bike and enjoy 2 wheeled travel for a while, but Jen doesn’t have a bike anymore, and we would have to buy her a new one. At our age, is that practical? It’s something to consider but in the meantime Poki will be just fine. We are looking forward to visiting our special friends Mike and Wendy in France. There is so much for us to resolve that’s going wrong on the world stage…😁. Mike has just celebrated his 70th birthday. Belated birthday wishes Mike. Wendy still has quite a few years till hers..:)
While in France we dearly want to visit Adam, not much further south from Mike & Wendy. Adam is going into hospital in Holland in four days time, to have a cancerous kidney removed. Three days before his 81st birthday. Good luck Adam, we’ll have you up and jogging in no time…☺️.
Lilian & Rob.
Thinking ahead re parts for Poki, we message Lilian and Rob for their guidance on where to get parts in Montevideo and for their recommendation of a mechanic. This German mechanic rebuilt their transfer box. They are currently in Chile, working their way towards Santiago, where they will again store their Defender for the Southern winter, and return home to Holland. The information we need is received. Thanks guy’s..:)
Grain harvests.
Once leaving the main road south east, we take a smaller road to the accommodation Jen has found for us tonight. Enroute, we pass several, probably four or five grain silo complexes. Outside are dozens and dozens of mainly Scania articulated trucks either waiting to disgorge their loads or pick up grain from the silos.
The Law.
Only a few k’s from our destination, following a dithering, dawdling car, I decide to quickly whip around him or her. 500 meters up the road, a policeman steps out onto the road directing us to stop. Strange, I thought. It transpired there was a sting going on. Six policemen with a camera were partially hidden under a tree flagging motorists down in each direction. A surly one walks to our window, asking for I.D. Passports are produced, which he scans, then informs me by google translate, I was observed crossing the double yellow line. Who me!!
Using Google translate he tells me this is a serious offense. Yeah right! Double yellow lines mean nothing to drivers here, even police cars, we have observed. No, he says. Follow me to the cabin. Which I duly do. Consulting a list of obvious demeanours, he points to one, god knows what it says but I’m guilty of it..:). The figure at the end makes my mouth instantly dry. 1,260,000 Guarani.
I tell him wait a minute, and walk back to Poki to consult with Jen. Over £130 she says. Returning to the cabin I give him my credit card. I need cash, he types into his phone. Emptying my pockets I offer him NZ$20, but he looks uninterested. Shrugging my shoulders I sit down settling for a long standoff. He types into his phone, you won’t do it again, will you? Of course not I respond, stand up, shake his hand, pick up our passports, and walk back to Poki, a reformed man…;).
Tonight’s accommodation.
Jen has found us a wonderful place for the night. It’s a hotel close to a possibly abandoned Jesuit mission site. She will update information on why it was abandoned, in tomorrow’s blog. We have porridge and fruit again for dinner tonight, in Poki. We are not far now from the Argentine border.
Collapsed under it’s own weight.
Rugby.
Apology’s regarding the previously posted England v France scoreline. It was an old game. I’m so out of touch. England of course played Italy winning 47 – 24, and Mel would have divided loyalties..:)
Thanks for picking that up :-
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