As I just said in my previous blog, this trip is full of continuing daily surprises. Not the least of which is that, apparently, I've ticked off another year this morning. Thanks to all who wished me feliz cumpleaños as we say here.

Not that anyone can understand what I say, but after months of listening to my Spanish For Idjits courses, I like to try conversation. If only those to whom I am speaking didn't look quite so mystified, I'd feel quite chuffed.

Making progress out here is a real challenge as the scenery, and we've done scenery before, is simply amazing......other than the Nullabor type, straight-as-die roads across wide expanses of desert. However, in their own way, these can be pretty interesting, at least for a while. Range after range of mountains reach off to the horizon in all colours. Ravines and chasms cut through the landscape where, at times, copious amounts of flood water patently scour the land. We spend a lot of time slowed down or at a standstill simply to "stop and gawp".

This morning we passed a sign that showed, "Ruta 40 - 4,000Km". I think that 4,000km to Ushuia. That's not in the agenda, at least right now but Puerto Natales is and that's only 3,300km.

Better get our skates on!