It duly arrives and I sit for an hour trying to update the blog alas to no avail due to the signal strength as it hails...yes I mean hails. By about 1030 it abates and I tog up and leave Truro. The intention is to travel down to Halifax and meet up with my bud Rick, who I travelled with from Cornhole to Moncton, and say hi before carrying on to the south tip of the island at Yarmouth.
The run to Halifax is nothing special but it has stopped raining even though the skies are not at their best and it only takes about an hour to get there. After a few wrong turns on the highway I get around Halifaz and decide to take the more scenic route onto 333 and wind my way to Rick's place.
The road is a delight. It meanders along the coastline through small picturesque ports. Probably a nightmare in the high season to get anywhere on here but today it's fine. I get to Peggy's Cove and it's the only semi busy place I've been to today. Apparently this is the world's most photographed lighthouse so who am I to disappoint....
The rock formations here are beautiful. The sheer power of the winter storms that hit make this a treachourous place when you realise that the buildings that sit a hundred yards away are completely covered in spray when the sea gets nasty. The lighthouse goes on the 'must see again list'.
The littel bays and inland lakes are a mecca for water sports even on a dismal day like today. Living on the water must be fab. Riding through Indian Harbour, French Village and Glen Haven I eventually land at Boutelliers Point and it only takes me a few minutes to find Rick's house.
It's great to see him again and I meet his lovely wife Lucy. I intended to stop for a chat and coffee but I'm told in no uncertain terms that I'm staying with them for the night. With the added temptation of a cold tinnie who am I to argue. I sit for the rest of the afternoon with them both on their rear deck hoping for the sun to come out and simply chillin'. They have the most beautiful view of the bay. When I find out how much the house itself cost I go green with envy.
It appears the Boutelliers were pirates and landed here after being kicked out of another area in Canada. Two of them were hanged for being really bad boys but the area still retains their name.
Lucy has cooked a lovely Sunday roast and I sit with them and their son Andrew and enjoy every single mouthful. The kindness of the Canadian people never ceases to amaze me. Rick and Lucy here, Rick and Karen back in Shediac. They are the most wonderful people and will remain my good friends always.
Lucy is gone for 0630 to work Monday morning, sadly I don't get the chance to say goodbye. This is the view from the rear of their house of the bay. Wonderful isn't it...
The weather forecast is not the best to go south and I still have much to see elsewhere in the provinces. So I decide to go back up north and into New Brunswick once again. Rick has taken the day to ride with me and we ride a little while west along the peninsula through Mill Cove, Aspologan, Bayswater and Deep Cove before heading inland along 14 north.
Canada is just mile and mile and mile of trees as far as the eye can see. I'm sure to the locals it just an everyday vista but to me it's simply amazing scenery. Through Sherwood, Waterville and Vaughan we tank up at Smiths Corner. I don't think I've seen more than half a dozen cars since we left his house an hour ago. He comments on it actually being busy on the roads today. I just laugh...
We turn east before reaching Windsor and head up 215, a route that Rick has not travelled before so I'm glad he won't be bored. Through Kempt Shore, Cheverie, Cambridge and Pembroke the road runs alongside the Minas Bay and Copequid Bay. Every now and then the sun pops out and lights up the sandstone coast. It really is most impressive.
Through Walton ( I believe the home to the world's highest recorded tide) and Noel where the road turns into a washboard with some humungous potholes. I really don't see how sportbikes could actualy survive long on Canadian roads. They would, quite literally, shake to pieces. Finally the road improves and we get to Green Oaks and decide to hit the highway for lunchtime Timmy's.
Unfortunately we hit the only intersection in Canada that doesn't have one and I start to get the uncontrollable shakes as de-tox sets in. Rick saves the day by finding another Tim's near Truro...phew! After my soup combo my faith in freedom and the Canadian way is restored :-)
Sadly I say goodbye to Rick here as he returns home. I truly hope to see him and Lucy again some day. As for me I head north back onto 104 and ride for a few hours till I get to Moncton. For some reason, I know not what, my old shoulder injury has flared up again during the day and I find myself taking a hotel in Moncton and hitting the high strength painkillers. Hopefully it will do the trick amd I'll be good for the morning.
Miles today 248
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