Week two around Cape Breton

Monday 08:00
We both slept in for a change and go down for our full breakfast that is included with our room.

After trying to upload some of blog stuff we drop into the Dollarama and a couple of stores before we head back to Bob and Lin’s.

We really enjoy our times with Bob and Lin, they have such faith and share it so well.

Despite Maurice and Barb being away for the day we were invited to use their pool. Heck Bob even used one of Maurice’s bathing suits. Good thing they didn’t leave any sweets in the fridge or we would eaten them as well.

Leroy and Charlene were in the pool when we arrived so we had another great time laughing and sharing.

After we bother these wonderful folks all day long Bob and Lin decide we should go out for Chinese Food.

After dinner Bob took us for a drive around their area showing us the sights and when we returned to their house we helped Bob eat the Coconut Cream Pie we bought for him.

19:10 we load up for Cape North.

We didn’t leave Sydney till 19:15 and the sun sets around 21:00 so we didn’t waste any time getting home. There was only one car on the Englishtown ferry besides us going north but there must have been 50 cars waiting to cross southbound.

Here is a shot looking down on the Englishtown Ferry
As we approach Cape Smokey the sun starts setting fast.

We arrive in Cape North at 21:00 and almost dark.

09:00
Tuesday looks like a beautiful day for riding and it looks like Dad wants to go as well. I’m so surprised how he likes to go riding after travelling 3700 miles. Dad says he would like to go via the old road to Neil’s Harbour and maybe into White Point. So off we go.

My Dad walked down the wharf and started to talk with a local fisherman a Mr.Dixon and his wife who fished lobster and crab and were down cleaning their boat. After a while I walked down to where he was and joined the conversation. We learned so much about the area and fishing during our visit with the Dixon’s.We then went out to Neil’s Harbour and found ice cream being sold at the lighthouse. Well we meet the young fellow who runs it and spent at least a half hour talking about his business and enjoyed a coffee float and an ice cream cone.

After our little trip we got back to Earl’s to make a roast for dinner and then we went out to visit our friends David and Murdena who live in Cape North.

Oh I like going to their house as Murdena is a very good cook and baker. Guess what, Murdena gave us oatcakes, crispy oatcakes the way they should be. Delicious. After a nice evening of sharing with them we head for home for a hot night’s rest.

09:00 After breakfast I decide I would like to try and get a video on the GoPro of the trail on the southeast side today. Dad wants to go again so we head towards Cheticamp and the weather is starting to look overcast.

We stop in Cheticamp for fuel and watch the ships go bye.
We continue around the trail in search of sunshine and while reaching Middle River I decide to stop and get a photo of the Gasit shop where we got our new rear tire.

After reaching the Red Barn Gift shop at the intersection of the Trans Canada we decide we will go over to the for a coffee and snack. They have the crispy oatcakes we like.

While at the Farmers Daughter a customer calls requesting I fly home to ferry and aircraft to Columbia so it looks like my dad will have to find a way to get around with out me next week.

We make our way around the trail up to Ingonish where we stop at the Seagull Restaurant for a feed of grilled Haddock and Pie. Well I had pie and Dad had strawberry shortcake.

After a quick trip home and after checking on Earl we go down to Dingwall to visit our friend Barbra until 22:30.

Thursday

After doing the laundry and packing my bags I attach the GoPro for another attempt to video the trail on my way to Sydney to visit our friends and prepare for my flight home to do the ferry flight.

The weather is overcast around Cheticamp and starts to clear around Middle River with temps around 24C

On my way I spot this strange named business. It was busy and had a picnic table out front so I thought I would give it a try. Well that was a mistake, maybe I should have tried the world-famous burger they advertised because the chicken was not that good.

At 14:30 I raid Bob and Lin’s and as expected I received a joyful greeting by these dear friends. I explain why Dad isn’t with me and then they offer a room, boarding and a ride to the airport at 04:30. Oh how blessed am I to have such dear friends.

While Bob and Lin are out at the store I visit Maurice and Barb. My left highway footrest was loose so I ask Maurice if he has tools I could use and before I know it he is laying on a mat at the side of the bike tightening my footrest. What a guy.

While Maurice is fixing my bike Barb offers his services to drive me to the airport incase Bob isn’t up to it at 04:30 on Saturday.

How great are these people, great just great. I’m so blessed to know them. Hopefully someday they will come and visit us and maybe we can help them in a special way.

Lin just called Barb to tell me to get home for dinner HAAAA I love these guys.

Here’s Bob cooking our haddock and pork chop dinners and look what he made for dessert. Yep Bob made strawberry shortcake and it was awesome. Let me say it again I love these guys.

Bob, Lin and I spend the rest of the day and half the night sharing and laughing and having a real great time together until Lin realizes it’s almost 11:30 and she’s off for her time with the Lord.

Bob has made my bed even though I told him I would and I have to say that it’s perfect and so is the temperature. The upstairs room in earl’s house has a brutal bed, high temps and high humidity. This room is like a suite at the Ritz Carlton, it even has a sofa and such a peaceful atmosphere, ah what a blessed life.
I’m now in my suite trying to get this blog up to date as my Macbook is charging. Bob and Lin have to get up early to go to the doctor so I have been instructed to sleep in, this from the people who are getting up at 04:30 to drive me to the airport Saturday.

Well It’s 12:30 and I’m tired, I’ll add more tomorrow.
Nite All!

Friday

08:30 and Bob and Lin have gone for tests and Lin’s treatment and said they would be gone most of the day so I’ll go bug Maurice and Barb.

Maurice is busy doing floor work so I went down to McDonalds and grab a coffee and when I get back I watch Maurice repair a Patio Umbrella and I replaced a burnt out low beam bulb on the bike.

After the repairs we went to the dump and recycle depot. While driving the truck Maurice noticed a squealing when stopping.

I think Maurice got his monies worth out of these pads. We spend the afternoon doing the front brakes:

After our work we are rewarded with a BBQ of smokies, burgers, corn and coleslaw. Bob and Lin had beans and Leroy and Charlene had mackerel.

What a great day with friends topped off with a piece of Lemon Pie.After putting the bike in Bob’s garage I realize Barb offered to cut my hair. I desperately needed correction of the chunks I took out of the sides the other day. LOL

I walked back up to Maurice and Barb’s and asked Barb if she could cut my hair and she laughed and said “oh yes” She is so sweet and her love of God is on constant display. I really enjoy spending time with her.

In a matter of a few minutes I’m transformed into a human again. I’m so blessed to have such dear friends.

I’m back at Bob and Lin’s enjoying my Raspberry Coconut Cupcake and updating the blog. I’m going to have to go to bed soon as wake up will be 04:00. Yikes.

03:40 Saturday

Too much water last night before bed, humm don’t want to wake my hosts. I tried to sneak to the washroom but the floor squeaks and the light switch is on the outside of the bathroom so of course it shines right into their room.

They are so kind for putting up with me and how about Bob getting up at oh dark hundred to drive me to the airport. I sure hope they come to Calgary so I can spoil them. Barb once again offered Maurice as a backup. Wow how nice are theses people.

04:30 and the airport is a zoo. I’m not taking any bags and have an electronic boarding pass on my phone so I’m through security right away. Only an hour to departure so glad I came early. I hate airline travel, private aircraft is the only way to go. When I get enough money we are buying an aircraft.

Oh big confusion as three flights are departing at the same time and the X-ray machine for luggage is broken. The line for security is now out the door as the sheep can’t figure out how to form a line inside.

Your are not going to believe this, Westjet is threading to close the check in window even though the machine is broken. Can you imagine such lousy service. They are going to depart on time without all the passengers, this is airline service at its finest.

The boarding of our flight is delayed as they are trying to load a Toronto flight that has a full load and their passengers are still slowly getting through security. What a gong show. We finally load, half full and half asleep and depart on time.

It’s another beautiful day in Sydney with some cloud and high humidity. We are on top of cloud in a couple of thousand feet and the ride is smooth.

Within an hour we are on descent to Halifax and I spot a windmill poking through the low cloud and fog. Yep fog at Halifax airport how strange.

07:30 no boarding yet since our aircraft hasn’t arrived. I check the airport weather and pilot reports and find its now down to 3/8 of a mile and the ceiling is 100 feet, I’m praying now. Please God just a little higher for them to land and takeoff.

Ah it’s clearing off and our aircraft is taxing in, thank you Lord.

07:58 and the first boarding call. We depart on time and after a long ride jammed in with babies crying and some jerk behind me driving his knees into my back we land in Calgary at 10:27 local time.

I text TJ when we landed and by the time I walked out the departure level she was there. Beautiful sunny day in Calgary and time for me to have a nap.

I’ve got three days before I depart for Columbia so check back then for further travel updates.