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Day 51: Porto Alegre - Florianopolis (589km)
Bad road conditions made worse by recent rainstorm damage forced the cancellation of the planned Medal Section for the classics, who instead headed direct for Florianopolis and Santa Catarina Island, where the next rest day is being spent at the superbly situated Costao do Santinho resort.
4x4 crews had the experience of driving their Explorer Section as planned: the route of the 1970 World Cup Rally's Rio Grande Prime (but in reverse direction). The terrain was difficult for some: at one point the road passed directly beneath a waterfall created by the recent rain, tumbling onto the road and then down into the ravine below.
The countryside here is full of lush luxuriant semi-tropical forestry - and surprising flowers such as blue hydrangeas and red hot pokers. A splendid section for collectors of fine scenery, and one full of driving challenge.
Back to nature again
After experiencing the World's First Nude Regularity Control, Colin Francis started reminiscing over a drink or two at Florianopolis. He recalled an incident from John Brown's younger days, and recounts this story in memory of Barry Hughes ...
'Barry competed on the first World Cup Rally organised by John Brown in a Ford Taunus driven by Frank Pierson and Ian Harwood. He was a top navigator and rival of John Brown, and counted Bill Bengry and Roy Fidler among his drivers. He was a glassblower and photographer by profession but always seemed to have time and money to be a full time competitor. There were no professional rally navigators in those days, but Barry and John were as close as one could get.
Barry came from and lived in Wrexham, and died in 1971 when he collapsed and fell into the Llangollen Canal during a rally party - his body was not found until the following day.
In the early sixties a youthful John Brown was once more in search of accommodation. This was before he was taken in hand by Joanna and put onto the straight and narrow: John had difficulty finding anyone to put up with him for more than a few weeks, and led an itinerant life. Anyhow, Barry took him home to Wrexham.
Two of John's foibles are to sleep in the buff and to rise early. At around 7.00am he would throw open the curtains of Barry's front bedroom on Victoria Road, Wrexham to greet the morn. Now, one of the Wrexham double-deckers plied the route down Victoria Road. Demand for tickets on that bus suddenly multiplied: it was as regular as clockwork.
Or it was, until one lady complained and the local constabulary were despatched to Barry's home ...
Only John Brown can substantiate this tale - but it has the ring of truth!'
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