Not quite at Iguacu yet but expect to be there tomorrow afternoon.........

So what's happened in the last couple of days?

Been a little eventful but I got my motorbike back from BMW Motorrad (Officer) dealer in Sao Paolo, plus one new fully charged battery. Fantastic. And the great thing was they didn't want any money for it ....

So finally we could continue to Foz do Iguacu.

Then the weather happened.

Some awesome roads and bends lay ahead, but then the heavens opened and it rained. And rained. And rained.

Finally we headed to a hotel along our route - which wasn't bad - but nothing much else around. Still we had covered over 200 miles that afternoon, considering we only left Sao Paolo just after 11am.

The usual situation occurred as soggy bikers, all clothes off and hanging from every hook and hanger available to try and dry them out as much as possible for the next day.

Today didn't look any different on the weather front. Overcast. Cloudy. Slight rain. Bloody fantastic.......

But whilst packing our bikes a Brazilian couple approached us and asked where we were heading. These bikes definitely attract attention, and some of it unwanted. On this occasion it turned out to be to our advantage. They too were heading in the same direction to Iguacu and they recommended a reasonable hotel with secure parking for the bikes, plus an address. Excellent.

So we began ever hopeful that the weather would be on our side, wearing only waterproof jackets! Well there's hope and then there's being bloody stupid.

It started ok, good dry roads, pretty much single lane traffic, the usual roadworks, big trucks, weaving in and out of traffic. Then at our second stop of the day, it rained, and it rained and it rained. And I mean the kind of rain that even the car drivers were puling into shelter from

If it hadnt been for Drew's beacon of light guiding me into a petrol station for sanctuary, who knows what would've happened, I certainly couldn't see the road anymore. It was at this point, it got a lot worse, everywhere was like a river. He'll we had made it undercover just in time.

About 10 minutes later it had all calmed down, the thunderstorm had passed and we were free to be on our way. Well we had to be as the nearest hotel was at least 20-30 miles away.

So on we went!

Then it happened again. A huge deluge hit us and after only about 10 miles we sought sanctuary at yet another petrol station, this time for a hot cup of coffee.

I feel inhale to explain here that Drew is a lot faster and is always way ahead of me, parng his bike at the next 'stop' so I can see it. This occasion was no different. I'd seen it - just - pulled in and he gestured towards the shop and to get a coffee.

So I rode onto the forecourt. Not quickly. But it was enough.

The forecourt was metal and with all the water was like ice.........

Next thing I know the rear tyre had gone and I was on the floor........owner and bike sliding across the forecourt.

The staff picked up the bike and I picked myself up.

Pannier was ripped off and dented......not quite as it was but it's bent back into some shape. Suppose now it looks like it's been somewhere and seen some action, even if it was at a petrol station - in Brazil.

Drew checked the satnav just to see how far the next hotel was.........guess what ? 0 miles! It was behind the petrol station. And it's not bad either. Not much else around for nightlife or food but it's got free wifi, minibar and it's a decent size so we're not walking into soggy clothes.

Still despite the weather we've managed just over 200 miles today. Could've been better but at least I found us a decent hotel !!!

So tomorrow is another day and hope to arrive at Foz do Iguacu in one piece, maybe our HU connection here can point me in the direction of someone who could iron out my pannier a little better!

Here's hoping...........but for now another beer is in order ! Happy days !