A walk in the park? (by Joe)

As Laura explains in her blog below (see 'Friends reunited'), we had a fantastic few days with our friends Rick and Tasha.

The 'main event' was a five-day, four-night trek through the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia (see us all at the end - top).

We walked a route known as the 'W' which is described - not just by the Chilean Tourist Board, but also by Michael Palin - as one of the world's greatest walks. To complete it, we walked at good pace for up to 8 hours a day across variable terrain often in the face of wind, rain, sleet and snow.

It was physically tough going, but spirits were maintained by the great company, by games of '20 Questions Guess Who?', by thoughts of red wine and warm fires in the evenings, by the amazing views and scenery plus - crucially in my view - by an inexhaustible supply of 'Super-Ocho' chocolate-biscuit bars.

It was a fantastic experience and one of the most memorable of our entire trip so far. Here's a few pics.

By me:

By Rick:

Joe