Another lovely day weather is strange here starts and finishes cloudy looks at times as if it will rain but nothing. The locals tell us it never rains. Holiday Inn breakfasts are getting a bit monotonous but at least they are included. On our way out we are going to wait and see the trucks coming down the dunes so packed up we make our way to the bivouac.
The bike is still bumping along so far so good.

Lots of people waiting at the finish to see the trucks. It is hard to describe the scene as it is vast. Golden dunes rise way up into the distance hundreds of feet up, you can only just make out figures right at the top. Everyone waiting with anticipation for the first truck over the top. The sky is now clear it is a beautiful scene colored flags blowing In the wind. Then at last the tell tel sign that something is happening as the small blip of the helicopter appears at the summit.

Then out of no where a lonely object appears. Sliding down the dune with a plume of dust and sand stretching out behind it. Even at this distance you wonder how it manages to stay upright and not roll to the bottom as we watch bump its way along. Then it is down and it trundles across the finish line. Kamas first man home.

Lunch time we need to get going, the road follows the coast South to Tocipilla then Antofagasto. The dunes change to high cliffs opening out to plateau along the sea shore. Leaving a craggy shore line broken with crescent shape bays, with Pelicans and frigates birds swimming. The area is devoid of any vegetation not a tree in sight wonder if this is what the moon is like. 

 Lyndsay and Marian push on as we are better sticking below 60mph. Almost as soon as they were out of sight the bike started to judder. Intermittent at first just like the bike was coasting then it was OK. Not for long as just coming out of a bend the back wheel locks totally and we skid 50 yards fortunately dead straight to a halt.
 The bike is stuck in the middle of the road not movable. Oil is running from the back wheel leaving a black slick down the road. When we look closer this has sprayed everywhere over the back of the bike me and our luggage. Fortunately the road is quiet however we are not sure how we are going to move the bike just deciding whether to unload it when a motorist stops asks if we are OK, having no Spanish we just point. With a lot of gesturing and pointing we work out how with his help to drag it closer to the side. He explains something about the police which I was not sure was good and off he went covered also in oil. At least we were in a bit safer situation but nearest town is more than 60 miles away.

After a period of time wondering how long would it be before Lyndsay realised we were not behind him. Or could we call the RAC amazingly we had a 3 G signal on our phone however we did not know who to call.

Then the police arrive immediately a tension appeared, must admit I was wondering what we were going to encounter now or how we were going to explain. How much was going to cost what fine would there be.

Out of the beaten up police 4x4 stepped this young guy immaculate uniform wayfarer shades.
After the normal greeting he peered at the bike and said in pretty great English how can we help you. We explained we were stuck after a bit of discussion between themselves they said they knew who to call, phone calls started being made. Whilst this was happening Lindsay arrived back, explained the guy who helped drag the bike had seen them at a check point down the road and explained Amigo's caput."

Now we wait, Lindsay and Marion go on to Antofagasta one of the police guys goes to get the recovery truck. The other Antonio stays with us. We spend a couple of hours talking about the trip and what was it like working for Chilean police. Interesting same type of small town things go on pub brawls etc.
Antonio if you ever read this thank you we will be for ever grateful for the help you both gave us that afternoon. 

 After a couple of hours the truck arrived we loaded up and set on our way to Antofagasta short of a few more thousand paso which had to be paid to the driver.  

We stop in the driver town and get cash to pay for the rescue, we meet his wife and his dog and we are away again. Its Sunday evening, he has to drive 230 miles to Antofagasta where the BMW dealer is then drive home again. Even though he speaks no English we have a little chat on the way.

About 10pm we arrive at the Holiday Inn unload the bike hand over the cash and say goodbye.

Lindsay and Marion are in the restaurant next door so we join them for a beer and say goodnight. A bit of a day.