We were supposed to take a few days along the Atlantic coast but the British weather came to the area so we headed inland to the wine producing region of Mendoza. It was so hard to find accommodation as the grape harvest festival week was just beginning. Fortunately we got ourselves sorted out and set about exploring the city.

Near the city centre is a massive park where we saw a tubby aerobics instructor taking a large outdoor class. We decided not to join in as we needed to save our energy to climb the hill up to the statue of San Martin. He led the Army of the Andes to liberate South America from Spanish colonial rule. Also in the park is a large lake where we watched the rowers training.

The weather was fabulous until the afternoon of our departure day. Then the heavens opened! At one stage we spent half an hour cowering away under a shop’s awning watching as the roads became rivers. It was quite interesting and a warm bus for a 13 hour journey has never felt so warm and welcoming!!

Would you let this man tell you how to keep fit?


Trish admires the mountain view over the lake (r was it the cameraman?)


Genral San Martin looks out over Mendoza


Not Christmas lights, they are for the wine harvest celebrations


When it rains, it RAINS!


Trish contemplates the long jump required!