Amazing landscapes from Rodeo, and back on the RN 40 heading north

 

Tuesday 21st is a day of 'scapes. We leave after hot coffee and scrambled eggs from the ever kind Dani. She has spoken of the passes and cacti ahead, and thus it proves.

 

We leave in a tighter convoy which seems sensible. Sweeping around the lake at Rodeo, the surroundings become a mud-like moonscape - perhaps natural, perhaps old slag heaps. And then we climb. Twists and turns high above a broad river bed. Black slate craggy rock surrounds us. Beware rocks on the road. Tough on the old bingo wings turning round the tight bends. Don’’t look over the edge. 

 

We join the plain back on RN 40 and make good time on rolling roads, scrub either side. The RN 40 will take us many miles north - rolling to let the rivers flood over in the winter season. Ham and James have figured that slightly less speed and steady pace is better for the radiator temperature. They forgo a petrol stop, and much tinkering from Nigel fixing bonnet latches. Chris fine tunes all parts of the petrol feed to the engine. The latest theory is that the autovac (a “box" to some) is getting so hot it is the cause of overheated fuel and vapour starving the engine if the carburettor chamber does not keep full. 

Nigel and Hugo in the Lagonda shadow Chris and Joe in the Rolls through the next plain. The landscape suddenly changes yet again. As we enter the next mountainous pass, large red rocks rise on every side. Bright green bushes and cacti twice the size of a man, (three times the size of some).  The climb becomes the steepest yet. Up and up. 2000 meters. Over the top and winding down a well constructed road on concrete piles on the mountain edge (opening scene of the Italian Job). 

 

The cars are together again at Chilochito, with James and Ham found at the petrol station tucking in to coffee and ham and cheese croissants (again). All is set fair. Or is it? On leaving the town, the Rolls’ temperature gauge moves to the red zone, and even Chris looks worried. Emergency swerve off the dual carriage way. The only course is to take the bonnet off and get as much air as possible to the autovac. Ham provides the rescue this time with his emergency supplies of ratchet straps and bungees to strap the bonnet to the trunk. We form a tight band of cars to cover the last three hours of the day on the practically straight RN 40 across the plain so wide that the mountains to the left are far in the distance.

 

Phew! Satisfying progress made. A long hot day. Luckily the accommodation is a “resort” with pool and a bedroom each. Its really a lump of concrete in the middle of nowhere, but some locals have found it too.  Four girls are trying synchronised fat bottom wiggling in the pool. The crew retire to catch up on making movies, blogs, and sharing all that has been captured over the previous days. A light supper and bed!