After a lovely leisurely morning in our hotel (with many laughs over breakfast), we all left on our bus with our able drive Leandro for a short trip north of town to the estancia La Victoria.
We knew the mile marker for the location of the estancia and had been told that the road in front is under construction, but the gate we entered by was into a field full of sheep. Unsure we were in the right place (??) we ventured on and saw a small house (turns out we were right and the house was the estancia managers) so we drove through his yard and beyond and eventually found our host Diego Perazzo waiting for us. (The main entrance is blocked at the moment due to the road construction, so we did not make a “wrong” entrance!!)
The fire was going ready for the barbecue and four super Criollo horses (Argentine breed) had been brought in from the field and tied up for us to see. They were great looking horses. Diego was pleased to tell us all about the breed and his estancia and eventually we made our way to the carriage house and enjoyed some refreshments before seeing the vehicles. The weather has been nice for us our entire stay, but today was exceptional with sun and a cool breeze and some lovely fresh air. We all sat while enjoying some wine or beer and gazed over the fields.
Diego showed us his collection and then we all joined Diego on the long table under the overhang beside the carriage house and (thoroughly) enjoyed a barbecue lunch. Diego told my sister, Elizabeth, and I about having read our father’s book ‘On the Box Seat’ (many years ago it had been translated into Spanish) and he produced the book with its well worn pages for Elizabeth and I to sign.
Two carriages were then prepared for us to go driving around the estancia and we finished the day with some light refreshments (there is a theme herre – food and carriages!!) and made our way back to our hotel leaving 7 hours after we had arrived.
Everyone says each day “we cannot top that” and each day we have a new and delightful adventure, seeing new sights and making new friends.