Gaucho Friends

Whilst in Bariloche, we decided to go pony trekking across the Patagonian landscape in true guacho style! We had two lovely horses and Stu was very brave, especially since he´s not really ridden a horse before. We were guided by two guachos, one guacha girl and a crazy guacho - he spent most of the time hunting hares with his two greyhounds (who were very hungry as they hadn´t eaten for days). Two hours into the ride his dogs had caught two hares, which were skinned and hung up to dry during lunch.

For lunch we found a clearing, with a bit of shelter from the fierce Patagonian westery winds. We tied the horses to some scrubs and searched for firewood to build an open fire, which would later be used as our parilla (or BBQ). Whilst the wood burned, we ate nibbles of cheese and salami with crackers. Once the charcoal was warm enough, the guacha pulled out four massive hunks of steak and eight fat sausages (and some lovely empandadas for me). We watched the world go by, washing down our parilla with cheap red wine.

After lunch, it was back on the horses and back to the ranch. We would definitely to that again - it was a real treat to see the Patagonian countryside by horseback. We used Carol Jones, who was lovely. Food was good and the cake was great!