After being greeted with breakfast, the horses were saddled up and we headed out for a 2 hour ride around around the estancia. We were given a quick lesson on how to ride Argentinian style (a little different from the Bristish way and the western US way). Charlotte was nervous at the thought of being alone on a horse, heading into the wilderness, but, with Haley at her side, she soon looked like a natural!
Before long she was trotting across the fields.
With only 2 others joining us, we were a group of 8. Don Juan (who spoke no English) was our leader,
with Roseta (daughter of the owners, who did speak English) brought up the rear. It was fantastic, and those that wanted, got the opportunity to canter and gallop.
Back to the estancia for home made Empanadas and drinks, as an appertizer for the Asada (Argentine BBQ).
As usual, lots of meat, brought out to the table on sizzling mini grills. Unfamiliar with the Argentine asadas, the others tucked into the sausages and ribs (thinking that was it) to be amazed when 2 further meat (steak) courses followed!
After lunch, there was time for a sleep in the hammocks,
a swim in the pool
and a wander round the estansia, before saddling up again after 4pm for a further 2 hours.
We soon split into 2 groups - Jimmy, Tommy and I headed off with Don Juan for a long ride with lots of cantering (more than we could deal with by the end!!).
Charlotte came back all excited from her ride as she had managed to canter (in a circle which she found a lot less frightening than out flat in the wild!).
Getting off the horses, we all knew we would be aching the next day! Mate (Argentine tea) and cake were laid out
Time for a quick swim. We had all had a great day!
By 7pm it was time to leave, to get Tommy, Lisa and Haley to the airport for their 10pm flight back to USA - not a lot of time to spare for over 100km drive, but Lisa was calm, as they were checked in, only hand luggage and on standby - "if we miss it, we'll go tomorrow" she said. After getting lost trying to change autopiste (not understanding a word of the signs), doing a u turn down a one way street the wrong way in front of a police station, not surprisingly getting puller over and having to get out of a ticket by not understanding a word they were saying, we finally got them to the airport about 50 minutes before the flight took off! They just made the flight, Jimmy and I got lost driving back to the apartment, and we all woke up feeling very sore! But a GREAT DAY!