Dramas and amazing hospitality heading out from Mendoza to Rodeo
Monday the 20th, and a mixture of excitement and sorrow. Sorrow because Dom has to leave the tour. With Hugo, he has treated the assembled crew with very fine wine at the restaurant the night before in Mendoza. James has settled in with Nigel. Hugo has joined Ham in his Lagonda and Joe with Chris in the Silver Ghost. Each car and new crew has been road tested with a day trip to Uspallata up Routa 7 yesterday. A beautiful winding journey in to the hills of sandy scrub and rocky outcrops, slowed only by convoys of lorries despite the fiesta weekend. Chris is struggling with the heat and hot slow climbs, forcing a couple of stops roadside - overheated fuel and dodgy carburettor not letting sufficient fuel through. Or is it? Joy at heading North from Mendoza, destination Rodeo. Hard yards on the famous Ruta Nacional 40 first, making good distance through the plain. On the way, San Juan is surprising with brand new wineries, light industry, football stadium, and a skate park! Ha...