It was always our intention to get fit and lithe whilst away. The far too affordable cheese products have hindered this somewhat and so we decided that action was needed to at least start the long climb to physical health. Two hours from Mendoza lies a small town called Uspallata; the last stop before the Chilean border and Aconcagua. Now I've mistakenly been describing this as the second highest mountain in the world. Simon has scoffed at my lack of geography and the fact I've been exaggerating a bit. It's the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas... A minor detail. It's big and rock like with snow on top.

We headed for Uspallata and for a hostel nestled in the middle of a valley amongst the Andes. This large hostel 5km away from any other civilisation held two golden retrievers who liked to be thrown rocks, a young girl who was our receptionist and us. Oh and a ping pong table..apparently I have a limp grip. The next day we hailed the bus from the dusty road and had a beautiful journey through valleys to get to the base of the Aconcagua trail. We had been unreliably informed that we would not need to prepare for the ascent as supplies would be available at the trail. Unreliable information / total fabrication. And so we set about the all day trek up to the 3500 metre high preliminary base camp with only half a bottle of water and 2 apples. A classic and almost predictable lack of research and organisation. Too stubborn to turn back we avoided the questions by the ranger who asks you to sign medical forms and check you are ready for the climb.

Six hours later we both had what Simon explained as the best tasting apple of his life. We have swilled our mouths out with the sparse water every hour or so and I have managed to acquire first degree burns to my shoulder. The views were worth it though. Dwarfed by enormous peaks, bright turquoise lakes, tumbling rivers and watching the "crazies" attempting the full 10 day trek up to the 7000m peak carrying 30 kilos...all a little bit humbling.

So the Clarke family motto of 'We Never Learn' lives on. Simons's put his foot down and we are definitely going to make efforts to be responsible and organised with a new Harris family motto of 'We Can Almost Definitely Do This'. That's right after we replace the camera we left on the bus and get some aloe vera on these shoulders....

We had a few days back in Mendoza to get organised. We had one night in the budget travellers budget hostel hostel which looked like the perfect venue for a murder/ paranormal experience with grimy floors and closed curtains.

So back then on the bus to Puerto Madryn. Whales, sea lions and penguins await. Just 24 hours of bus, swollen ankles, bad movies and carb overloading to go...

PS. Simons beard is coming along. He often has bits of food stuck in it which can only be a marker that it is in fact more beard than stubble.