Here in Paraguay it has been a very hot week. Each day reaching nearly 40 degrees. As such when I had friends visiting for the weekend the cool refreshing river was somewhere that had to be visited.

There was much though to do beforehand. Accordingly leaving the waters until last. A final couple of relaxing hours prior to their drive back to Asuncion was wisest.

It had been a while since I had last had visitors. These being unusual times. The chance to play host for a couple of days was very appealing.

Midway through a very hot Saturday afternoon my guests arrived. The car parked under the shade of a tree and a tent put up in the garden.

The rest of Saturday was a very enjoyable time for everyone. Catching up with several months worth of tales and listening to good music. The wonders of the internet. Any track that springs to mind there ready to be streamed.

They had not arrived empty handed. But instead with a cooler box full of beers. To be enjoyed on a warm night under the stars. Until they ran out and I had to go and find some more that was.

My little home is not just a relaxing paradise to overseas viewers for whom it is a whole new world. It also has the same effect on those people from Paraguay who are more used to a city life.

What better way to unwind than under the stars surrounded by nature. With the lack of nearby light pollution those stars do put on a spectacular show almost every night.

After partying Saturday night Sunday was the day to see what wonders the countryside could offer.

Firstly in the morning before it became too hot a walk to explore the nearby countryside. Looking first at a few of the sights around my garden.

Then a short walk to the wild hills that lie beyond my garden. There beyond the cattle pastures is a place where nature rules.

The rocks of the cliffs rise sheer and weathered. Cut by erosion into fantastic shapes. Small caves high up on rock wall and a high stone archway.

The trees to grow wild. Twisted and untamed. In places forming an almost solid barrier. Below them, underground and in the leaf litter animals hide and up on the high cliffs vultures nest.

Having done our exploring it was time to return to the house. Time for some ice cold terere and then some lunch.

After lunch it was then that cool refreshing water that called as the day got hotter and hotter. Fortunately the stream is an even shorter walk from my house than the hills.

It was quite crowded as family groups had had the same idea. Cooling off in the clean, clear waters on a hot Sunday afternoon.

There was though plenty of stream for everyone. For ourselves a clear stretch of water under a large shady tree. In the water and under some shade was by far the coolest place to be.

Another flask of cold terere while the gently flowing water cleaned and refreshed.

A couple of hours bathing and it was time to leave the stream behind for another day.

For my friends, my guests had to drive back to Asuncion. On such a hot Sunday there would be many people doing the same. So leaving a little early, before everyone else, was the only sure way to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

I look forward to repeating the weekend. In the meantime anyone else who happens to be travelling this way will be equally welcome.

Until then though I know that once the temperatures rise again the cool, clear waters are just a short walk away.