About Us
TOTTY PEASE studied Spanish and History of Art at Edinburgh University then worked at Christie's in Madrid and in London. She came to Argentina in 2007 to write a thesis on art and politics for her masters at the Courtauld Institute. After graduating, she came back to help set up and run an art gallery in Buenos Aires but soon turned her attention to the Argentine countryside. She was struck by the kindness of the people there as well as the beauty of the pampas. Totty can share with you her great enthusiasm for the Argentine countryside and its traditions.
Totty speaks English, French and Spanish.
JAIME DAIREAUX qualified as a lawyer in 2007 but has since decided to help run the family farming business. As well as having a great understanding of animals and horses, Jaime is very knowledgeable about Argentina's history, culture and politics. He will teach you to ride if you are beginning and will also help you with your Spanish if you are learning.
Jaime has been brought up bilingually so speaks very good English.
PRESS
Click on photographs to enlarge.
The same article in the May edition was republished on page 9. of the magazine
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/831fc758-7766-11e0-824c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1LcRgdYxi
GUIDES
TESTIMONIALS
Eve Hyman- (Time Out Freelance Journalist)
While exploring ranch getaways from Buenos Aires for Time Out Argentina and Uruguay: Perfect Places to Stay, Eat and Explore, I happened upon Inside the Pampas and luckily so. Totty and Jaime offer a singular experience of riding horseback alongside their herd of cattle, getting up close and personal with gaucho horse races and generally having the most authentic of Pampas experiences. Their home reflects good taste from their coffee-table reading collection to home-baked breads and lovely sleeping accommodations.
Philip Thompson-(Time Out Freelance Journalist)
Inside the Pampas offer a fascinating and authentic insight into these vast romantic plains full of beauty, history and nature. The hosts, Totty and Jaime, are passionate about the countryside and full of local knowledge about gauchos and of course the surrounding countryside. We were fed on the finest Argentine beef and the best flans in the Western Hemisphere before being taken riding through beautiful open country dotted with Eucalyptus and filled with birdsong. To understand Argentina’s rich history and culture, you must visit the Pampas and I couldn’t recommend a better way of seeing it than with Inside the Pampas.
BA LOCAL- (Christina Wiseman- www.balocal.com)
This past weekend, I had a wonderful getaway at Estancia el Roble. The owners Jaime and Totty made us feel right at home with one of the best asados I’ve had in Argentina, fresh baked cakes and bread, horseback riding and walks throughout the land and an absolutely breathtaking sunset. This was no tourist attraction, this was my friends and I at a real-working ranch out in the middle of nature, yet only an hour and half away from Buenos Aires. The only sounds we heard were cows mooing, firewood crackling, horse hooves trotting, parakeets chirping and our own intimate conversations. It's just what I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I highly recommend a trip out to Estancia El Roble!
0800 Vinos- (Nigel Tollerman- www.0800-vino.com, Buenos Aires)
We had a wonderful time staying at Inside Estancia El Roble. Totty and Jaime are wonderful hosts and made us feel right at home. The house and
campo are lovely, the horses are great, combined with great home cooked food and wine made a perfect stay, far more enjoyable than the larger more commercial estancias I've stayed at. Highly recommended.
Rhiannon Tracy-(Architectural Conservation, London)
Good food, wine, company, riding and the staggering beauty of the pampas made my stay at Estancia El Roble perfect. I was nervous about the riding having not been on a horse for years, but Totty and Jaime immediately put me at ease and soon I was cantering and helping herd cattle!
Christian Goodbody- (Financial PR, London)
Estancia El Roble is the best way to experience gaucho Argentina without any of the mass tourism disadvantages! We had a fantastic stay and loved devouring the phenomenal local foods, trying the local tea mate, discovering gaucho customs and riding through the Pampas with attentive hosts who were great company. There is a great freedom with Jaime and Totty as hosts and just the right mix of activity and relaxation.
Maria Grandinetti Milton, (Buenos Aires/London)
Having spent the last few months in the chaos of BA, escaping out to El Roble for a few days with visiting friends was the perfect way to recharge my batteries! It was everything i was hoping for and more - delicious hearty meals, great riding across the endless pampas, the opportunity to help out with herding cattle, and utter peace and quiet to unwind! I was also impressed with the fascinating collection of gaucho and pampas literature amassed for visitors to browse through. Totty and Jaime were the perfect hosts and made us feel right at home. I am currently trying to persuade more friends to come and visit so i can go back again...
PHOTOGRAPHY
The photos have been taken by the following talented photographers-
Jemma Foster- www.jemmafoster.com
Marita Rosell-www.flickr.com/photos/maritarosell
Pauline Spearpoint-www.spearpointdesign.com
Anna Templeton- www.annatempleton.com
Hannah Willis- www.gallery.me.com/hannahvictoriawillis
