A long ferry ride to the Rock and a day exploring

Yesterday, after a quick continental breakfast at the motel I made my way to the ferry terminal in North Sydney were I joined the growing line of motorcycles waiting to board the ship. The folks in front of me were from Victoria while the couple behind me on their Harley were returning to their home in St John. It always amazes me how readily motorcyclists will engage with others and share the tales of their travels.

We boarded at around 10:00 and the ship set sail after noon for the nearly 6 hour crossing to

Port-Aux-Basques.

The Radio Station B&B where I spent the night had actually been a radio station and was located just steps from the ferry; though in order to get to it you had to drive about 2 kilometres.  A couple of motorcyclists from Boucherville, Line and Phil, were also booked into the same B&B. When we'd parked our 3 bikes in the small area up a very steep driveway and behind the house, and had freshened up we went out for dinner at the Harbour Restaurant. My 'cad' with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables was particularly fine, and it was a nice change to have others to talk to. Of course we exchanged stories of the rides we'd taken in the past. Phil explained that he and line were doing 4 days of ``test camping`` in preparation  for a trip to Alaska next year. I take it that the previous night's experience on a sloping patch of campground close to a busy highway had not been a huge success. Line a short self-described "princesse" who rides a bike identical to mine, was not thrilled by the prospect of another 3 nights under nylon.  We had a great time.

Before leaving Port-Aux-Basques this morning I rode around the streets of the small town and stopped to take this picture of Town Hall. Note the rainbow pedestrian crosswalk, an unexpected and nonetheless very moving detail that speaks so well to the generous and open character of Newfoundlanders.

Since my plan for today was to get as far as Corner Brook which is only 219 kilometres fro Port-Aux-Basques, I had plenty of time to stop and admire the wild flowers next to the Trans Canadian Highway

and to make a detour around the Port au Port Peninsula, la route des ancêtres français.

I arrived in my small residence room at the Grenfel Campus shortly after 4:oo. The room is clean and while it is similar in layout it is150% the size of the one I had at St Mary's University in Halifax.

Hope you are enjoying the ride so far?