The ranch organised a pickup in Salta where we'd meet others heading out for a day's horse riding. We joined them at camping grounds and a huge overland adventure truck was parked next to the tents. Getting into the mini bus I said to Mands that I was glad we weren't in that camping tour through South America. The Welsh guy next to us said yes, it had been tough going ... the minibus was full of people from the overland tour! I managed to take my foot out of my mouth during the transfer and find out about their tour - they sometimes travelled 2 days straight and one brother booked him and his sister on the tour not realising they would be in a truck and camping each night!
We were warmly greeted by Laura and Kylie together with their dogs, McKay their massive Argentine Doggo cross Labrador and Moody the endless energy weimaraner.
Straight onto the saddles for our first ride. We walked through fields of tabacco plants and tobacco drying sheds and across a river. Mands had her hands full with a horse that was intent on eating at every opportunity. It had been a leisurely start until we reached a grass plain and were taken for a gallop - the gauchos would gallop next to our horse holding our horses' harness to control him. You could really feel the power of those horses. I was over the walking and got the group trotting back to the ranch, an easy start to the riding. A less easy dismount as I could barely walk for a couple of minutes until my legs straightened.
Lunch was quite something. One of the Gaucho's, nicknamed Pollo, was the assador (bbq'er). With gauchos, guests and staff there were 20 of us but enough meat, salads and wine for 40. Round after round of meat came out, each with a heavy handed topup of wine. A good 3/4 bottle of wine later it was time for further riding!
This time everyone had more courage (liquid) on the horses. Mands and I led the canter'ing through the fields, now on a different trail and then walked up a stream. Again further galloping, led by the gaucho's and back to the ranch.
Our cabin was their really nice matrimonial room. After 5 hours of horse riding and wine, I hit the hay and Mands curled up with her book. (Wow Mands reads a lot- I now refer to her as eating books as each only lasts 2 to 3 days).
Kylie made us dinner and joined us. We chatted over 3 more bottles of wine and then retired to the pitch black, dead quiet night (avoiding all of the frogs between the main house and the cabin).
A similar day awaited us with 2 rides and enormous lunch. This time however the riders were more experienced and we opted to gallop ourselves, unaided by the gauchos. It's amazing running with these horses! Back in over cautious UK, we'd still be walking, wrapped in safety armour.
One couple were doing a similar route to us in South America, but with a 11 month old baby! Hats off to them.
Lunch was again great and wine flowed. The group was chatting up a storm for the second ride. Mands was riding behind one girl very much post-vino slouched to one side in the saddle. I was the only guy riding now with the group of good looking girls and must have been the envy of a group of road workers who came to a standstill as we trotted through.
Another good night chatting.
Our parents, Clive, Erica and Gerry had arranged for wedding anniversary cards to be sent to the ranch. Huge thank you for the efforts for this, we both really appreciated this. Unfortunately the post hadn't arrived by the time we had to leave, so Laura is going to forward it onto London.
Before we left to go catch our next bus, we were treated to Laura's son fighting imaginary bad guys on the back of the red pick up - dialogue, invisible special weapons, actions and all. Good to see this as it's how I grew up!
Luckily we could pick up the bus to Cafayate from a small town close to the ranch rather than going back to Salta and returning on the same road. The road to Cafayate was quite a site twisting and turning through the red mountains that themselves was a tour we'd return to to walk through the wind chiseled sculpture, but for now we were off for the wine area of Cafayate.
To learn horse riding is becoming ever popular. However, it is very important that proper tuition and instruction is taken from the outset to ensure adequate safety, and full enjoyment of the sport.
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