News from Jupiter
From My Notebooks In 1974: To Chile
November 8, 2026
After ten days with the Wesleys I tore myself away to cross over the Andes to Chile. October 30th Left Wesleys at 11.30. Rode a few miles and came back for plastic butter pot. Rode off again a few more miles, and came back again for waterproofs. [This always seemed to happen when I stayed anywhere for any length of time. Always very embarrassing […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: Crossing the Continent
November 1, 2026
Friday October 18th, and camping at Piedra del Aguilla Piedra had a row of jagged rocks behind it on the left, a few houses, a police post where the policeman was tending his garden, and some shops and houses on the right indistinguishable from each other. All whitewashed and quite neat looking. Found a butcher – young man in a small room with a few […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: West Across the Pampa
October 25, 2026
The notes, exactly as I wrote them, going west across the Pampa. Tuesday October 15th Set out for Bahia Blanca, after painful farewells. Sky very grey, soon began to rain, but first wind off the sea, buffeting me so much I began to fear that a freak gust might blow me right off. After a short while in rain the throttle seized up […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: Electrical Spaghetti
October 18, 2026
In Buenos Aires an X-ray put my fears of lung cancer to rest; did some reconstruction work with a friend on the flying jacket which was worse for wear; and made friends with some students. Friday October 11th Yesterday had cholera and typhus jabs, in little clinic on the waterfront. Doctor entered the typhus on my card before I’d had it, so I had […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: Campo Stella, Villaguay, Entre Rios
October 11, 2026
I started my journey with two canvas bags slung across the tank. Apart from catching fire off the exhaust pipe, they could obviously be improved upon. In Nairobi I got two leather boxes made – better, but still not great. In my mind I designed bags that would really fit the contours of the tank and carry much more. Argentina seemed like a great […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: San Ignacio to Villaguay
October 4, 2026
Given my appearance and eccentric mode of travel, it was always uncertain how I would be viewed in a new destination, but more often than not I was received as a visiting dignitary. So it was in San Ignacio. September 12th. San Ignacio. Lunch at Auto Club hostel. Then taken to parish priest – “Der Farrer” – José Marx. German missionary of the Stegler […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: San Ignacio
September 27, 2026
I crossed the river and entered Argentina with a minimum of fuss and took the road south through the heavily forested State of Misiones, where the Spanish Jesuits had established some of their missions in the 17th century. September 11th Customs on both sides of Iguaçu are minimal. Not interested in my papers at all. What a contrast with Fortaleza. Dirt road starts at […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: Brazil to Argentina
September 20, 2026
September 10th, Paraná Travelled from Curitiba 350 km app. Find dirt path off road leading down to reaped maize field and clearing above stream with shed and slimsy wooden shelter of branches and veneer over heap of corn husks. Put my ‘rede’ [hammock] across two posts, tying it to crosspiece. Got out tin of feijoada [Black bean stew] and coffee. Went for short walk and […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: Sâo Paulo to Curitiba
September 13, 2026
6th September, Sâo Paulo to Curitiba Probably the nastiest ride of all time. At first the dreaded traffic didn’t bother me. Then came fog (or cloud), rain, wind. And it went on non-stop for 8 hours. Cold. Throttle and clutch cable seized. Couldn’t see – and froze. [I didn’t record the diesel that dirty trucks spewed over me, though I still remember it very well. […]
From My Notebooks In 1974: Riding south from Rio to Ouro Prêto
August 30, 2026
Friday, August 30th My last night in Rio. Lulu, Holly, Esmeralda and Tito, and Gill Anthony gathered at “Amigo Fritz” to say goodbye. Shrimps and corn. Old sayings. Antonio came too. This morning left Rio at 7.30 (saying goodbye to Jandira for second time). With Antonio – his clutch cable had broken, my front brake was still soft. We made a sorry pair in the […]