28th November

Q: So what do you do in Tupiza for the day?
A: A triathlon.

Not quite what you are thinking. This is a bit more tranquilo. A 12km bike ride, a jeep ride and then a 3 hour horse ride after lunch followed by a cycle back. My bike was rubbish. It had no suspension and on the rocky terrain of Tupiza was pretty useless. I was out of the saddle for most of it which is difficult when one has a hangover. Nevertheless, the rides through the tunnels and the fresh air was all good.

Our 4x4 ride took us to a river where we had a picnic. I think I have got over the new boys status since last night and now seem to be getting on with most on the tour. We had tamale, rolls and (very) orange pop. Just got my head down for a kip when our drivers beckoned us forward to the stables. Horsey-time.

(People keep asking me if I can ride. The answer is a resounding "No" but I am enjoying it and I don't think I look stupid on 4 legs).

My horse was very young and very bad tempered and kept trying to eat anything that came up alongside but the guide assured me he was "dulce". We treked for about an hour and a half in proper cowboy country. Red dust, cacti, animal skeletons, tumbleweed and high cliffs. All that was missing was Lorne Greene and you had Bonanza. I then changed horses as all the girls, who were had a lot more experience than us Gauchos, went off galloping. I went on an old nag with one eye and sighed (literally) every time I tried to get it to shift.

We got back to the 4x4s after about two and a half hours and went on a drive up the mountain ot have a full view of the valley. So many different colours and rock structures made taking one panoramic view difficult.

Declined the bike ride back to the hotel as it was too steep for an old bike with no suspension so I stayed in our truck and chatted to Shannon on the way down. We picked up some other stragglers on the way back and got in about 6. I was humbled by Derek and Cherry who are both over 65 - Cherry neither had suspension nor gears. Hmm.

Had a v early diner with Andy the tour leader, one beer and then bed. Oh yeah, it transpires the girls videod the karaoke and it being shown to all the truck as I type. I did an "arse wiggle" to one song. That too is on camera.