Earthquake

Just heard on the BBC that there has been a big earthquake in Chile. The epicentre looks like it is not far from the planned route and Santiago was affected. Reports are just coming in so it is not clear how much injury and damage has been caused.

Not that it is important in the big scheme of things but I don't know what this means for the trip yet. Compass have a trip heading south from Santiago that set out on the 12th February so they should be well south of there by now.

Let's hope that they and the people of Chile and Argentina are safe and well.

Training

Some of this trip is going to be off road. I've never been off-road (well not intentionally) so I thought I'd better go and get some training. BMW run an offroad training centre in the Brecon Beacons so Mike and I went for the weekend (http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/world-of-bmw/off-road-skills/level-one).
Great fun dashing round in the mud, up hill and down dale on BMW 650 and 1200 GSs. Absolutely fantastic for building confidence. The main thing I learnt was how to fall off gracefully and how to pick up a 1200 GS without putting your back out (12 times in one day). Thanks to everyone who was on the course that weekend. Ride safe.

P.P.P.P.P.P.P

Time to get ready:
- Vaccinations (Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus). Check
- Passport. Check
- Visas (none). Check
- Driving Licence. Check
- Flights (Iberia via Madrid). Check
- Joining instructions (meet Miryana at "El Conquistador"). Check
- Kit.......