Santiago

As usual I go around and around. The roads are so good, if you miss a turning you are back where you started in no time. So I look for a camp site and find one way above the city. I'm looking for a nice sunny spot but of course every plot is well shaded by trees. That would normally be the most desirable, but the temperature is not much abve 20deg and the fridge is killing the battery, I need the PVs to do their thing, that, more sun, or, a new battery.

Look who turned up! That would be Avani and Kian, expect Howard is standing behind me taking a photo himself.

We met up the evening before and sampled the delightful cuisine of Santiago. The streets around the cathedral are teeming with bars and restuarants. On my way down I had taken the bike and of course it rained. It was still quite warm so not that uncomfortable. Google said there was no bike route so took me the longest most car infested route possible. The route back was better. Once outside the thronging narrow streets I made my way up hill, though an impressive park and on up through the suberbs. A much better route altogether. I was pretty sure the camp site was ahead but did have thoughts of Bilboa when my phone died. Would it be another 2 1/2hr ride, what would I do if I got lost, it was already 13:30. I sort of recognised bits as I progressed and made it back.

On the Sunday John (Howard's friend) went to mass in the morning and we met up for lunch. Just settling in when Howard received distressing news that his mum Diane was very unwell and he needed to return to the UK immediately. They got on a 6:15 flight that evening.

After they left there was a tremendous storm and the heavens opened. I was in a T-shirt with no umbrella and sheltered in San Miguel dos Agros church. It was unattended with organ/choir music gently playing. Outside there were great flashes and crashes as the storm passed overhead. The streets were awash with torrents of water. A very moving experience. I have a video but haven't get got the website to accept it. Will upload it once I've worked out how.