Arriving to the Finca we were welcomed in with open arms and shown to our room (and never let out)
,
we unpacked Maya as we were planning a canyon ride during our two night
stay….well we told them two nights as that is (WAS) the plan. 
Settling in we went into town with John and on the way back we visited one of their friends who sells wine, we bought a box of 6 as Ellen had decided that we would probably be there longer …best be prepared.
2.30 something am we finished chatting over a coupla wines (Mr Duval I believe we are in the same trouble makers camp
)
… next day was work …. hmmm cruzey start then eh, in order to stay at
John and Annettes they like to get help on the farm, this saves
travellers money and helps out big time on the farm with many hands
makes lite work.The weather had been a little off and the grapes sugar level too low thus harvesting was off the list at this point, weeding, everyone's favourite job was on tho.
Sugar testing the grapes amidst piss taking and coffees
Sounds bad, no, bit of grubbing and pulling out of the stringy bloody thingys ready for collection to the fire heap, good exercise.
For me it was a time to exchange muscle group use and get some exercise having a good sweat with exercise other than picking Maya up outa the snow.
Ellen and Annette were picking up the Walnuts so everyone was busy and reuniting at lunch stops for an energy top up of good food and some good ol BS.
Now John and Annette take things at a leisurely pace not burning out knowing there is a big job on hand so this makes for good fun, chats and a chance to fix the world. (if it is not done overnight with wine)
During our stay I had a tussle with three big guys out on the farm, every one of them looking down on me the odds were gonna be interesting and I knew it would be a fight.
I took the first swing and got a good strike bringing the first one to the ground while the other two looked on, there was a tussle over the second one followed by the third, next thing I know all three were on the ground and the victory was mine, I felt triumphant with that David and Goliath thing….then Ellen said come on man they are only weeds ….
They were big tho
Back to the tractor work we loaded all the defeated weeds onto the trailer, not just the three big guys but all his mates too, this was done over 15 - 20 loads, we always took the time to wave to the girls when we passed them which we thought was quite friendly like.
The Canyon, Canyon De Atual
We were unchained and allowed to play, Canyon De Atual and back our ride for the day. We confirmed it was the same one that Martyn and Jaime from Chile had just ridden and one point in the canyon there was a rock fall, the rocks however the size of a car, given they had seven bikes but more importantly seven blokes they manhandled the big girls over the trials course and carried on.
The colours did not disappoint
Not knowing if the road was blocked or clear we prepared to turn around if and when it would be required.
Taking in the canyon we were served jolly splendid views (in John and Annette English accent), reaching the last power station the Peligro tape (danger tape) was up across the road …so we rode around it and sure enough approx 1 km up the rock fall was still there less maybe 2 rocks, still no way for us to pass, lunch stop then, that was our turning point.
There was a rude guy there doing the fingers ... he was dressed like me
We were here
Photo shoot and return to home base admiring the canyon from the new perspective which did not let us down.
Bit of rock climbing too...all a bit easy without snow on it
Cool views
A play in the puddles on the way back
Back to the farm to shower up and wine up ….good times.
San Rafael is a nice town with all the services, the screws had fallen outa my sunnies (note Paso Sico) so an optics shop took care of this with two new screws, we also wanted a fuel filter for Maya, this again was easy to get and with enthusiastic help from the moto shop all of who were very keen looking at the orange mammoth parked at their shop.
4 nights on the first box of wine and it had gone ….. very hot here with the snow and rain, Annette went back to the wine seller, he said but the Kiwis bought a box only 4 night nights ago… yeah says Annette, at least we are supporting the local economy.
1 Week On
Well our two nights have long past and we didn‘t leave cos we weren’t allowed to (actually by choice), finding ourselves banned from the gate it is like Hotel California here where you can check out any time you like but you can never leave, John and Annette appreciating some bloke help getting the weeding done and some chic help picking up the Walnuts with the Asian contingent doing an excellent job.
Ellen per usual made sushi and Chinese pies all going down a real treat, nice to share her skills with Annette so she can make the same if we ever get to leave.
Sushi expert at work
Forward planning for Moto GP if we can get in, with prices looking spendie I might have to settle for a big TV at a hotel somewhere … time will tell.
In between Charlie that we met at Lorraines arrives, he was on his way down south and wanted to come back up to John and Annettes on Thursday, it was explained to Charlie that yes today was indeed already Thursday ...Charlie's plans changed slightly and he ended up staying three nights with us, wine, chats, ride, good times.
Laural, Hardie and their trusty Asian sidekick
With Charlie’s help on the farm we loaded the rest of the weeds onto the trailer and took em to the heap, onya Charlie great to have the extra manhands.
Me driving the tractor, John and the two dogs relaxing, Charlie practicing being Japanese and taking photos
Now the favourites, three Kittens, the dodgy one that is the shit stirrer trouble maker has been called Kiwi ... right on!!!!
The final day came, we had finished the big part of the weeding so set to for destination La Falda to meet up again with Dan and Sara.
So we ended up leaving 14 days after our intended two nights, new amigos and lots of work done to help Johna and Annette, sampling of local wines, good times, talked BS, fixed the worlds problem and named a cat ....mission accomplished.
Busy fixing the worlds problems
The sustenance we used to fix the world
So if you want to do this, help your budget, help John and Annette on the Finca, help sort the world out and just generally enjoy yourself while earning your keep contact them, as ex travellers they know the needs of us homeless buggas, also John has a good dose of tools and contacts, they are running out of kittens to name tho so get in soon.
Thanks John and Annette, San Rafamily ... we are looking forward to coming back in a few months
Link to contact them,
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-seeking-travellers/argentina-accommodation-board-offered-exchange-68716#post465800
A poem written by Annette for the Finca
High on a snowy highway, It’s so cold I wish I had some hair
We were on our way to Hotel Finca Rita
Recommended by Bevan and Claire
We saw the farm and heard the ringing of a bell
This could be heaven or this could be hell
Greeted at the gate by five dogs, three kittens and a cat
And some strange woman wearing a cowboy hat
They all showed us the way.
As we heard voices around us say
Welcome to the Hotel Finca Rita
There’s a lovely room at Hotel Finca Rita
Such a lovely place
With loads of camping space
There’s no such thing as television or internet
You don’t Google, you just have to ask Annette
John and Alana filled up the food cupboard with Asian spice
And all the homemade dinners are very nice.
The alarm goes off at 6.00. The barn opens at 7.00
I lay in bed thinking “I hope I can stay here until eleven“.
Asadon in hand, we are just clearing away weeds that are higher than me
Oh how I wished I had not stayed up drinking all night until 3.00!
Ellen helped harvest the walnuts during the day and cracked them at the night
I had a dream she had my nuts in a cracking device and awoke with a fright
The day it rained Johnnie and I sat watching the Isle of Man TT and much more
But relaxing was not on the cards, cracking of the walnuts was in store
At the sound of the church bell
She really had to tell
I had asked Annette to just bring me some wine
She replied that Ken and Carol had drank it all back in 2009
And still we heard those voices say
Welcome to Hotel Finca Rita
There’s a lovely room at Hotel Finca Rita
Such a lovely place
With loads of camping space
The first weekend we killed the duck
Oh boy was it bloody hard to pluck
Ellen made Peking Duck, Sushi and Chinese dumplings
Next things for the pot are the poor goslings
George and Mildred oversees that the goslings come to no harm
So next time you see me I will probably only have one arm
After two weeks we found ourselves running for the door
Had to find our motorbike, but it was not parked where it was before.
Relax said Johnnie Green, your motorbike is not around for you to retrieve
You can check out anytime you like but she will never let you leave.
Welcome to Hotel Finca Rita
There's a lovely room at Hotel Finca Rita
Such a lovely place
With lots of camping space.
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