6th December

Yes, showers were good despite the women moaning there were frogs in theirs. Ha ha. Today was great in the truck as we had covered about 700km the day before. We had a lateish breakfast for which we just did cereal and toast. This is now the last meal I have to cook for the gang. Happy days.

We stopped off at a cash and carry to buy water, dry provisions etc. I bought some maté, a wine glass (so I don't have to drink out of a metal cup) some turrón to dish out to the gang before I leave and obviosuly some Pringles.

Next stop - they town of Jesús Maria - a stone's throw from Córdoba. We will be staying on an estancia (ranch) for the next 3 nights so all the cook groups had to stockpile food on the truck. You have never seen so much stuff - milk, eggs, cheese, bread, meat, veg, fruit. All the lockers were jammed. As mentioned I have no more cooking to do so chilled in a cafe.

We had lunch in a park near the estancia - an old boy turned up and tried to tell us 2 blocks away was a better picnic spot but by then we were ready to eat. Andy and Tubbs "had a word" with Jitka who is now hiding from all food preparation and just turning up when the bell is rung. She is also getting on everyone's nerves generally.

I have now given up on the getting a wristband for each country I visit. Ecuador got washed away when I did laundry, Perú has now broken, Bolivia is still attached but I can't find one for Argentina.

The road to the estancia was as narrow as the gauge on the truck with sheer drops on one side. No one slept through for once. It was really hot as well and with the windows open we soon filled the cabin with leaves, twigs and occasionally the whole branch.

The estancia isn't how I imagined it. I actually thought it would look like Southfork but it was a lot hillier and rockier. We pitched our tents and then had a wine-tasting with our smarmy, arrogant host - Kevin. A British public-school educated, Argentinian born snob. Still his wine was ok. The guys cooked steaks on the BBQ. Unfortunately by the time it came to cooking my steak I was half-cut on the free stuff and dropped my steak into the ashes. Ever had gritted beef before?

We partied until the early hours, I met Kevin's helper, Carlos, who was altogether a much nicer bloke. He spoke no English so Shannon and I had to translate. I also convinced him that Shannon was indeed my sister. I fell asleep on a couch not suited for such an activity having chatted to Tina for about an hour on things I have no recollection of.