Back Home - La Vuelta

These last few weeks I took the time out to nip across to England to see my family. I hadn’t been for a while and it was great to see them. I ate and drunk the usual favourite things I miss such as fish and chips, a pint of best bitter and a BLT sandwich   I took in a couple episodes of Corrie   (an English soap

Molly my youngest grandchild practicing winning the Grand National

Jack and Molly a the cabin I own in the Chichester

opera) with my mate Gaynor, watched a game or two of footie with Bri and went to Haven Holidays with my grandkids. All in all a great time was had , it passed really quickly and in no time I was heading back and landing at Eiza airport in BA. I always love nipping across to Blighty to see my mates and family but there is no doubt I love to get back to Argentina  - especially to La Margarita. I know Argentina has a bit of a bad imagine abroad at the moment what with the corruption, inflation and Malvinas amongst other things but if you are thinking of coming here please please don’t let that put you off. No doubt about it it’s a chaotic country but in many ways that’s what’s so exciting about it. At the same time it’s a wonderfully spirited country full of fantastic things to see and do.  When I landed at Eziza I was thinking about this and whether I would change it for something else and to be truthful its addictive and I am not sure I could. This time after I landed I made my way, as many of our guests who came to La Margarita do, to BA. I got a taxi (make sure you book yours after you have passed through to the main reception area the others have a tendency to overcharge) paying 240 pesos to the city centre. I stayed one night in the city and the next day I got Adri in our office to change a few dollars for me a very favourable rate. I then caught a taxi from the trendy barrio of Palermo (where I have my apto) to Retiro (paying 42 pesos). I caught the 12.30 bus to Tapalque from Retiro  (paying 142 pesos) and hey presto and I was on my way to the estancia. I found my seat upstairs which gives a great view of the passing pampas. I always remember the first time I came to the pampas on holiday all those years ago. It had a magical effect on me for sure and many years later I am still here! It’s a land that goes on forever and the skies are enormous. I have heard it said that some find it boring but if you find this spectacular scenery boring its time you stopped travelling. As the bus made its way across the pampas I wondered how if I would ever get bored of seeing this scenery and I can honestly say no – even if I left I would have to come back at times to see it, ride over it, absorb it and be with the lovely people of La Margarita. After reading the paper, a snooze and a day dream or three the bus was pulling into Tapalque . The famous (well on LM anyway) Raquel was there to meet me in our trusty Ranger. After a big hug I excitedly got into truck and off we set to LM and…………………………. home.

Ah home again in the pampas

Its good always good to travel but its great to be home for sure

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta pronto 

Hello Goodbye

In the words of that great Beatles song it was hello goodbye on La Margarita last week. The hello bit was the welcoming back of Malin our super volunteer who had left us for good a few weeks back .  have her back so welcome hone Malin!

Malin back home!

Lisa in the summer ( in the middle!)

Well that “left us for good” turned out to be an exaggeration. Originally she had planned to head back to her native Germany via Chile - she only got as far as Chile. While there we communicated and I mentioned I was looking for someone to work on La Margarita as a super volunteer as we start to implement some new plans we have for La Margarita. After some negotiations Malin said yes she wanted to come back started to head back to the estancia last and is now firmly installed here once again which is fantastico. She is great for LM and I am really happy to

The goodbye part was the leaving of Lisa who had been with us for many many  months . She was and is a talented horsewoman and we were lucky to have her working with us on LM. Those of you who had the chance to ride with her will know what I am talking about. As we all know nothing lasts forever and a last week she left us to take up a post in her native America on a polo stud farm. I wish her all the best and who knows hopefully one day she will be back to show us more of her talents – I really hope so

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta pronto 

Living the Gaucho Life for a Week or Two

For some time now we have been offering a special paying volunteers program.  The program is for volunteers who want to volunteer here but don’t have the qualifications or the time needed that we ask of our long-term volunteers. The idea is that anyone can stay for a week or more and learn how it is to live and work on an estancia in Argentina. The volunteers who come on this program just pay their board and loggings and in return get to lead the gaucho life for a short while.  We reserve two places for this program. Its been incredible successful and over the time we have offered the program we have had lots of  a very happy gauchitos come and stay and had a great time. The general opinion is that it is a great opportunity to experience something different..................

Alex who has written a blog about his experience blog  here came a few weeks ago and when I spoke to him about his stay I can honestly say he was ecstatic and said it was just what he was looking for. Read what he had to say below.

If you want to know more about the program please have a look on our web page where              you can find more details heres the link . Or you can email us on estancialamargarita@gmail.com.

http://www.estancialamargarita.com/en/volunteer/

Here’s what Alex said………

Alex getting ready for his last ride out 

“Before I came to La Margarita, my only experience with horses was a few pony rides when I was little. Riding horses on an estancia in Argentina appealed to my nostalgia and desire for some outdoor adventure but I was afraid my experience would not measure up against my imagination. I need not have worried, however, as my first time out on the horse with La

Margarita’s staff surpassed every expectation. After some instruction and a few suggestions, we trotted out with the flat Argentinean planes stretching off infinitely before us. On that first ride, La Margarita’s staff gauged my comfort level to make the ride enjoyable and to tailor it to my experience level. In this case, after some walking and trotting, we ended the ride with a gallop over a long stretch of land. I hastily asked a few questions about positioning and such as I tried to block out the images of me flying off the horse and rolling in the dirt. The staff politely answered but the horse was so well trained (and this goes for all the horses at La Margarita) that falling off was not an issue. The La Margarita guide gave the cue and my horse immediately began to gallop, racing ahead with nothing in front of me but wide-open plains, the air whooshing behind me faster and faster. At the risk of sounding cliché, the experience was romantic; that with this horse and the plains in front of me, I was free go anywhere I wanted, exploring a frontier. The experience was, in a word, unforgettable and I know I will carry it with me for the rest of my life. In fact, after my week here (and by the end of the week I was doing long rides with lots of galloping), I expect to be on a horse again very soon.”

And Then Autumn..................

Where does it go  - the time that is. We are now in autumn and it seems like yesterday we were all complaining about the heat (must admit it was a hot one this year). The pool is now closed and the days getting every day a bit shorter.  But just in case you wondered if it was worth coming to LM without the possibility of having a quick dip in the pool let me assure it is.  In fact its can be a lovely time to visit La Margarita. The days are cooler, fantastic for riding across those wonderful pampas I often talk about and the nights even cooler so you can snuggle up under the blankets. Put a sweater on and have a brisk walk in the park or have a game of relaxing of bochas the Spanish version of boules. Take a bike from the barn and cycle to the entrance of an evening and watch the sun set in a hazy blue sky and then watch the  amazing star show  take its  place. Enjoy a long ride to the pulperia (see web page) have lunch and ride back galloping and cantering to your hearts content. Sit in the park under a wonderful blue sky listening to the amazing bird life as the birds communicate with each other…………magic

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta pronto  

A Warm Welcome to Gaucho Ruben

Four weeks ago Pablo our head gaucho moved out of La Margarita to help his dad manage his campo in Azul. Sad to see him go as he had done some great work with us on the horses and many guests got to know him personally.  In Pablo’s place we have taken on Ruben who I think will be a great asset for La Margarita. He is 26 years old and has vast experience in working with horses. We are in the process building two more corrals to accommodate the training of horses, which Ruben will be in charge of.

If you come to La Margarita I am sure you find him an interesting person and very informative about horses and very much in the tradition of Argentina gauchos – he doesn’t speak English so great chance for you to brush   up on your Spanish.

This is David Cummings alias the English Gaucho hasta promto  

Oh Such Lovely Days

Malin with Lisa 

We now move into a lovely days on La Margarita as regards temperature. Don’t get me wrong I love the hot hot days, laying in a hammock in the afternoon for a siesta or sipping cold cold beer in the park at midnight looking for the breeze to cool me down –  yep being a Brit I have a great passion for hot days. But these days we see at this time of the year are wonderful as well. Cool evenings, the days hot enough to jump into the pool but the water is noticeable cooler, and of course the fabulous riding. The breeze blowing across the pampas cools the horses who respond by galloping more enthusiastically across the wide open spaces. I spoke to Malin (yes she has come back for a week she can’t stay away) yesterday who rode out last evening and she said that it was like a ride in wonderland - one of the best rides she has had here and she has been her a long time. She said the wonderful sky totally blue, the cool breeze and the wild life around the lake and the enthusiasm of the horses made it a fantastic experience. I agree this is a wonderful time to ride out so if you are thinking of coming here and you love riding this is a fabulous time to do so

This is David Cummings alias the English Gaucho hasta pronto

The Beauty of Criollo Horses

Miles with Vero plus Uwe and
Alissa from Canada  as we cross the lake on La Margarita

Polo playing Miles riding out on Oscuro

No doubt about it riding Criollo horses can be a real pleasure. Criollos are what we use on La Margarita. It’s easy to see why. They are responsive, work hard and can give that all-important thrill of a good gallop if called upon. On the other hand they are also great for beginners. Miles a Brit living in BA contacted me recently to see about making a reservation with his girlfriend Veronica on La Margarita. He said he was an experienced polo player and has many of his polo-playing mates coming backwards and forwards to BA to play. Although polo is their passion they sometimes want a good old-fashioned ride out on Criollo horses. Miles, who soon will be opening whats sounds like a very exciting boutique hotel in Palermo emailed me and said he was having trouble finding somewhere in Provincia he could get a good ride out for him and his mates.  Therefore, before he made the reservation he wanted to make sure we offered what he wanted in horse riding. I emailed him and said that in my opinion the riding and horses here offer an excellent experience on the estancia and that I was sure he would find what he was looking for. He made the reservation and this weekend came and stayed for a couple of nights. On Saturday we saddled up some horses and rode out into the glorious pampas. From Miles comments it seems he loved it and in particular Oscuro the Criollo horse he rode. After riding out a couple of more times he said he was hooked and will be back with his mates - mission accomplished. That’s the great thing about Criollo horses they are so adaptable - from beginners to really experienced riders these horses offer great riding. A few days before Miles arrived we had Ray and Sam on the estancia. Sam had never ridden before in her life and she was in the process of crossing things of her list of things to do before its to late – riding was on the list  – who did she ride yes Oscuro and did she love it si si si.

This is David Cummings the English Gaucho hasta pronto 

Ah So Sad to Say Goodbye

Malin (far left) loving it

Doing what she loves best riding 

In a few days Malin our volunteer from Germany will leave us. It’s always sad to say goodbye to someone who has worked so hard and has  been a pleasure to work with over the past months she has been here. She has been with us for what seems like forever. She came in August and then had a break for a couple for months while she went to Uruguay as a volunteer on  an estancia there. She then came back to us in Dec. Now in a few days is leaving for Chile to return to another place she was working before heading home to Germany and real life! We are going to miss her and we hope that she changes her mind and comes back to us for a month or two more but its doubtful so this a bloggy goodbye to her and a big big thank you Meline for all the great work you have done for us – it’s been a pleasure to have you on La Margarita and I am sure that is the feeling of many of the guests who came while you  were here and of course the staff who work on the estancia. Come back soon por favooooooooor

The three trouble makers!!

Malin with Lisa

Hasta la vista

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta la vista

Oh How They Laughed !!

The Self Catering Units 

Natalia, Martina, Delphina, Rodigo and Pablo enjoying a weeks holiday in the self catering units
 ( with  Meline and Lisa  our volunteers )

Some three years ago I was talking to my son Dale who was visiting me on La Margarita. He mentioned that it would be great to put in some self-catering units on the estancias. This would give those that wanted these facilities the opportunity to stay longer and enjoy their own rhythm of eating and  enjoying  the estancia without eating into their budget too much. The building we call La Casa Rosada, which is in fact the oldest building on La Margarita, was ideal to house the self-catering rooms. We proceeded to fit the four rustic rooms with small kitchens in with microwave ovens, small cooker, and fridge   and then we waited. I have to be truthful a lot of people said we were mad that it wouldn’t work that no other estancia offers this facility because there is no demand.  We had our doubts as well but still we went ahead as to me it seemed a good idea. When the rooms were finished we waited……… and we waited! To be honest I thought the doom sayers had got it right. The first year was slow, not many used the self-catering units. The next year I was pleased to see was a bit better and then we had visit from Lonely Planet who loved them and mentioned them  in their guidebook. In the past six months, I am relieved to say, they have really taken of. All sorts of guests now use them. As I write this we have a mother with her two children in the units laughing the calm of the  estancia ( her words). Yesterday there left a family of five who stayed for a week and absolutely loved them (see picture). A month back we had a writer and his wife who was putting the finishing touches to his book and wanted the peace that somewhere like LM can offer. Last week a group of students used them. It’s a great mix of people who find these units comfortable for them and its lovely to see.

All in all I am happy say the self-catering units are now proving a great success. Of course we still offer full catering but now with the self-catering we now can offer both types of service.

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta la vista    

Don’t Forget to Go for a Walk – it a fabulous experience

I divide my time between La Margarita and Buenos Aires. Usually spending a week in the city working in my office until the sheer chaos of the city has me tearing what little of my hair I have left out. At this point I reach for my backpack and head for the bus at Retiro and catch the Pullman bus service to La Margarita. Sometime I drive but I like the bus, it gives me space to calm down, breath deeply and daydream looking out at the pampas as the bus speeds its way to Tapalque.

The other day I did just that. I had had enough for a while of the heat and noise of the city. I headed down to Retiro, purchased a bus ticket and boarded the bus.  I pushed the seat back and settled down to enjoy the trip. On arrival at Tapalque Raquel, our chef, picked me up and we made our way to La Margarita. It’s always such a feeling for me when we pass the white columns of La Margarita. It’s like entering a magical world, a feeling that never goes away. On arrival I had a quick chat with the guests who were on La Margarita and as always I headed out into   the campo to walk with the dogs. I always take the same route (man of routine me). It was around 8.30 when I past the famous white columns of LM, which take you out of the park and into the glorious pampas. For me it’s a breath-taking walk.  Last night the moon was crystal clear and lit up the night sky in glorious silvery blue. I doubt that anywhere in the world you can see so much sky as you can see here in the pampas. Its like being in a film set of The Wizard of Oz. I walked on and everywhere the fireflies danced their illuminating dance for me like fairies dancing in the dark. I stopped for a minute on the curve and listened to the approaching night and listened to the callings of the huge open campo. A cow calling her baby calf in the distance, the orchestra of insects calling each other, a horse galloping heard but not seen, lights twinkling in the distance of our neighbours houses (the nearest house is some 5 or 6 kilometres away) and the sounds of the frogs clattering to each other.

 

On the way back I stopped and sat down by the two  white columns and looked out to  the open countryside. The stars were now just starting their spectacular show with the odd shooting star leaving a glittering trail behind it. Give me a Malbec wine and a piece of Keith Jarrett music and you could be forgiving for thinking you had gone to heaven and were now living in paradise. OK it’s an exaggeration but its not far off it.

If you come to LM don’t forget to take this walk – you won’t regret it I promise

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta pronto

Oh How They Laughed – but not now!!!

Lisa ready to ride out with Jack for the first time

A couple of months ago I wrote about Lisa our super horsewomen volunteer. After she joined us I could see she had a real way with horses. Now our gauchos are good, excellent with horses in fact no doubt about it but Lisa managed to get even more out of our horses when she joined us and made them even more friendly and responsive. On speaking to her I asked her if she was up to training a two year old never ridden before. She immediately said yes that she had never done it before but would love to have a go.  Of our two gauchos Pablo and Bran oh how they laughed at the thought of a girl training a horse in the mans world of la pampa gauchos . Still they had every right to so do. Pablo coming from one of the best-known families in Argentina as regards training crillo horses. Still that didn’t bother Lisa she just on with training Jack our new two-year-old untrained colt.

Opening her first gate with Jack

Lisa first ride out with Jack on the  glorious pampas

Over the past two months Lisa has been training Jack  with the gauchos often looking on shaking their heads. A couple of days ago Lisa invited me to join her and Meline (our other volunteer) on a ride. Great, I said who are you using “Jack “she said. Wow that took me by surprise, as I didn’t think she would be ready so soon to ride out into the pampas. That evening we did just that. Lisa saddled up Jack and out to the glorious pampas we headed. It was amazing Lisa opened gates, trotted and eventually galloped with Jack. So hats of to you Lisa an amazing feat you really are a qualified china now (the Spanish word for a female gaucho) Still some way to go yet as the Jack has to be ridden by others without trying to throw them off so  we will keep you pasted – any volunteers!

Lisa and Jack galloping -fabulous 

Lisa is with us until end of April so if you wanted to see a master at work or even take a lesson or two from her get down her fast she is waiting

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta pronto

That Was Great Now for 2013

No doubt it we all had a great time on La Margarita at Christmas and New Year. Loads of guest came to stay who all contributed to the great atmosphere on the estancia during the festival. On the 24^th we all sat down to a great meal prepared by Raquel (who worked her heart out). After dinner it was party and talent contest time as we were all entertained by various guests eager to show their party pieces. It was great fun and we all went to bed a littler tipsy and very entertained. On the 31^st we did it all again with as much enthusiasm as the 24^th. It was a great night and once again we all went to bed tipsy  (well of course) and  well entertained as the new dawn of the New Year of 2013 approached.

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A big thank you to all my staff who worked so hard make it what it was and another big big thank you to all the guests who decided to make La Margarita home for a few days over the holidays and enter into the spirit of the party. Fab fab fab

So now we arrive in 2013 wow lets hope it’s a good one - we all at La Margarita wish you all a wonderful 2013 and we look forward to seeing you here soon if you can make it.

This is David Cummings alias the English Gaucho hasta pronto 

Where did 2012 go ? Here's a few memories of what happened

Wow thats it  2012 nearly gone tooooooo fast  . Now we look forward to 2013 since the world didn't end thank goodness although with some of the strange weather we have been having it was close! I want to thank all of you who took the time to read my blog and a big big thank you to all of you who took time out to visit us on La Margarita

Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year with lots of horse riding involved 

This is David Cummings alias The English Gauchio leaving you with a few memories of this year on LM see you in 2013 - if you are in town come and visit us would be great to see you 

Clean up time after the  biggest storm in LM history

Still going me playing in the local pub in Tapalque

To those who have left us Alyce and Ignacio

Miss the kids 

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Mariana with her lovely kids

Me with my son on his stag night in NZ

Ah my lovely granddaughter on LM with Nieve 

Granddaughters and granddads

Easter on LM

Raquel with Chloe

Susana with Alyce 

Mad English rugbyt team from Mill Hill using the pool in winter brrrrrr

Lisa with fans at the dia del pueblo 

Phil and family leaving us after spending some days with us 

Brian bravely riding in his first rodeo in Tapalque 

Ride to La Pulperia 

Pablo and Brian 

Mill Hill boys leaving us 

Susana posing 

Proving that Denmark have beautiful women

Peace on LM 

Ride to el puesto on a winters day 

Clearing up after the storm of the century