Ed the Gaucho

Yesterday we had another brilliant day out this time pretending to be Gauchos thanks to Wedding Gift Number 17 and the lovely Auntie Jean.

We were picked up by Luciano a local who owns an estancia here in southern Patagonia. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side. We arrived to have traditional Mate tea, which I felt tastes like a really really strong green tea, I loved it. It also has a special type of Caffeine that really gives you a kick. Argentines drink Mate all the time, maybe that’s how they can go out for dinner at 11pm and manage to get up for work the next day? Traditionally it is served in a small bowl like cup and drank through a straw as inside is a load of mate leaves and a small amount of water.

Enjoying my Mate

After this we saddled up the horses, I asked for the calmest one, Pluma (Feather) as I am by no means confident on or near horses and away we went with Ed on Rubio (Ruby). I had five layers of clothes on but it was freezing and then the rain came. It was bitter cold and it was a shame that the view wasn’t very visible due to the rain and mist but in the distance you could just about make out the snow capped mountains. We had a giggle, the horses were amazing and views that we could see were spectacular but the weather got the better of us and the walk was cut short, which just allowed more time to eat steak in Luciano’s small horse shed. It was absolutely delicious and a good way to get warm again!

Getting soaked but happy!

It’s Easter Sunday today and we are having a lazy catch up day-hence the writing. Off out for a walk and hopefully some nice food then tomorrow we head off on a very long day trip back to Chile to viist Torres Del Paine National Park. We have everything crossed it will be good enough weather to get some good views.....

Happy Easter from Mr and Mrs Ross x