23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa
D41, T5/9, Av7.88, Max46. Tot15790, 5726
Mild at camp, steadily got colder up to 3300m at camp
Sitting, doing my blog, a sound like a pig grunting gently some distance away as it was foraging was heard.
Looking about, here was a little hummingbird, feeding in the small tree near me. This sound was from its wings. They were moving so fast, knowing now what it was, they sounded like a fan being switched from full speed to low.
It was happy foraging near me. Its tongue was being rapidly protruded, all 30mm of it.
It was a privilege to be so close to one of these birds that are so predisposed to flitting in and are then gone.
Reluctantly leaving this hideaway in the warmth, back on the road the Pampas was followed upstream.
Not far on in the pueblito of Ahuayro, a lady was spotted cooking chihcaron under the awning infront of her house.
This stuff is addictive, going past was not on.
Three of the best pieces were chosen from the pile at the side of the large wok half full of hot bubbling oil, still deep frying other portions all about the size of a tea bag.
Sitting down with another guy, who was also indulging, I was getting eaten alive by small sandflies, he kindly gave me some repellent.
The lower areas here all have the little pests. They cause instant itching, on the move they can’t keep up but in shorts at a standstill it is hell.
They soon disappear once over 3000+ m.
The chich would be good energy for the climb ahead.
Soon the road was reduced to gravel as it left the river valley. River stones were the aggregate on the surface, they are buggers when ridden over as the tyres just slip off them .
The roadworks went on for 20km, it was slow going.
Thankfully at Chincheros, the pista began and the lastre ended, here supplies were bought and lunch was had in a restaurant.
From here though climbing, it was so good to be off the lastre.
Today was an anniversary day for many of the pueblitos. In Uripa, a celebration was in progress in a park well below the road.
Here bread and water were bought, water was also obtained at a house.
Leaving Uripa about 1600 hrs, the houses just kept continuing. I was looking for a campsite and though the sun still shone it was very fresh.
On one corner, finally away from farm houses, a track lead into the trees.
Following it took me well off the road. The track was obviously used to move stock about.
Soon a site was found next to a broad bean plot on sloping pasture land.
It was nearly dark when I finally had the camp set up. A couple of young girls and their cows came wandering past. I asked if it was ok to be here. They said it is ok.
Generally it is always the women moving the animals, always at such a leisurely pace.
It was so cold here that all I had for tea was bananas and bread, an avocado and a couple of cups of tea.
Retreating to the tent at 1930, once in the sleeping bag, it was curtains.
Off course, waking at about 2300 feeling like I had been asleep all night.
It was found the condensation was dripping onto the bottom of my bag.
I have sorted this with a towel that has a button hole put in the middle, I place it offer the breather screen in the roof at this point.
Without the tarp, this always happens, though only at certain altitudes.
D41, T5/9, Av7.88, Max46. Tot15790, 5726
Mild at camp, steadily got colder up to 3300m at camp
Sitting, doing my blog, a sound like a pig grunting gently some distance away as it was foraging was heard.
Looking about, here was a little hummingbird, feeding in the small tree near me. This sound was from its wings. They were moving so fast, knowing now what it was, they sounded like a fan being switched from full speed to low.
It was happy foraging near me. Its tongue was being rapidly protruded, all 30mm of it.
It was a privilege to be so close to one of these birds that are so predisposed to flitting in and are then gone.
Reluctantly leaving this hideaway in the warmth, back on the road the Pampas was followed upstream.
Not far on in the pueblito of Ahuayro, a lady was spotted cooking chihcaron under the awning infront of her house.
This stuff is addictive, going past was not on.
Three of the best pieces were chosen from the pile at the side of the large wok half full of hot bubbling oil, still deep frying other portions all about the size of a tea bag.
Sitting down with another guy, who was also indulging, I was getting eaten alive by small sandflies, he kindly gave me some repellent.
The lower areas here all have the little pests. They cause instant itching, on the move they can’t keep up but in shorts at a standstill it is hell.
They soon disappear once over 3000+ m.
The chich would be good energy for the climb ahead.
Soon the road was reduced to gravel as it left the river valley. River stones were the aggregate on the surface, they are buggers when ridden over as the tyres just slip off them .
The roadworks went on for 20km, it was slow going.
Thankfully at Chincheros, the pista began and the lastre ended, here supplies were bought and lunch was had in a restaurant.
From here though climbing, it was so good to be off the lastre.
Today was an anniversary day for many of the pueblitos. In Uripa, a celebration was in progress in a park well below the road.
Here bread and water were bought, water was also obtained at a house.
Leaving Uripa about 1600 hrs, the houses just kept continuing. I was looking for a campsite and though the sun still shone it was very fresh.
On one corner, finally away from farm houses, a track lead into the trees.
Following it took me well off the road. The track was obviously used to move stock about.
Soon a site was found next to a broad bean plot on sloping pasture land.
It was nearly dark when I finally had the camp set up. A couple of young girls and their cows came wandering past. I asked if it was ok to be here. They said it is ok.
Generally it is always the women moving the animals, always at such a leisurely pace.
It was so cold here that all I had for tea was bananas and bread, an avocado and a couple of cups of tea.
Retreating to the tent at 1930, once in the sleeping bag, it was curtains.
Off course, waking at about 2300 feeling like I had been asleep all night.
It was found the condensation was dripping onto the bottom of my bag.
I have sorted this with a towel that has a button hole put in the middle, I place it offer the breather screen in the roof at this point.
Without the tarp, this always happens, though only at certain altitudes.
The flags were out for the celebrations. A nice reminder of where I was. Having some command of the language now makes the place seem less foreign.
The start of the lastre and what lay ahead.
So typical a scene
A field so far away.
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El parque Callebamba
Looking back down to the rio Pampas.
Polly and Lucia
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