The day before we left for the farm (expecting the container to follow on a day or two later) we saw on the news that San Rafael (25km from our farm) had been hit by the worst storm in living memory. Many areas had hailstones the size of tennis balls and the whole zone was hit by 170 km/hr winds. Entire orchards and vineyards close to San Rafael had just bare branches as the hail stripped off all vegetation.
80% of the zone had no electricity, 4 people had been killed and many of the roads were blocked by fallen trees or washed away by swollen rivers.
We stuck to our plans and left for the farm. The journey was uneventful until we approached San Rafael. In Salto de Las Rosas the police diverted us off our normal road as the bridge was down that crossed the River Diamante. We took a long diversion along minor roads, and witnessed the magnitude of the disaster: fallen trees, houses without roofs, electricity pylons down and completely devastated orchards and vineyards.
Storm damage on the road to our farm
Note the power line wrapped around the tree
It was with some trepidation that we approached the farm, only to find that the hail had not reached that far and that all our trees had survived the storm.
We booked back into Hotel El Paso and waited for the container. And waited. And waited. And waited. (The saga is still ongoing).
Stuck here with no tools, tent, etc. etc. we decided to do small jobs around the farm, get to know the neighbours and explore the surrounding town.
Posted in General | 
Tags: Alondra Infinita, Argentina, bridge down, disaster, electricity, fallen trees, farm, Finca, hail, hailstones, high winds, Hotel El Paso, journey, Mendoza, moving, natural disaster, orchards, San Rafael, storm, vineyards
hi robin and graciela
happy new year to you both sorry to read about container problems but hopefully they will be sorted out quickly.Off to oz in feb for a month of sun and after the weather weve had i cant wait. Jim handed his notice in today and finishes end april.Keep the photos coming mark
Mark, At last all is well. The container is on the farm and we have an internet connection!!!! So will be in contact very soon. Hope your holiday in Australia went OK too.
hi robin pleased to see alls well with you im just back from oz to the cold should have stayed over there.big news is that me and debs are engaged so lots to look forward to and many plans being made.
Mark, Congratulations on you and Debs getting engaged. Well done and have fun making those plans. So, another emmigrant in the making?
Hi Robin, Me and Mark Williams just checking out your website, hope all is well, things look like they are coming along nicely, wishing you all the best for the new year.
have you spotted any ww2 military vechicles that need saving as yet?.
kevin and mark.
Hi Kevin and Mark. Hope you all have a great 2011. Have not found any more ww2 vechicles yet, but we have met a neighbour who is a ww2 enthusiast. If we find anything will let you know. Life here is busy and good as well as being warmer than the UK!
Have you finished the second carrier yet? And have you shown at any rallies?
Thanks for the post and keep in touch. Robin