Day 39 – August 11th – Grand Condroy to North Sydney - Ferry - Fond Farewell to Newfoundland

Day 39 – August 11^th – Grand Condroy to North Sydney - Ferry

We awoke to partially overcast skies but no sense that it was going to rain.

We packed up the trailers, I took the bikes off the back of the trailer and put them in the box of the truck (if I had left them on the trailer it would have added enough to put me into the next length class and more $$$).  It was all for not as they did not measure us when we checked in, oh well…

But, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency did look in the fridge and one cupboard to ensure we did not have anything like root veggies or plants on board.  We got a clean bill and off we went into the line.

We boarded the MV Highlander two hours later (and we did not have to spend the night in the parking lot!).  Right down the centre, meaning put the yellow lane line down the centre of the truck – lots of room to get in and out of the vehicles.  Did not even have to put the mirrors in!!

The crossing was without incident or rough waves, very smooth. We arrived in Sydney at about 6PM local time.  For some reason it seemed like it took much longer to get the ship tied up this time, but this could have been my imagination.

Down to the vehicles we went and because we were where we were, we were (lots of “we were’s”) the 5^th vehicle off the boat, yippee!!

Got to the Arm of Gold Park in good time.  Had supper, loaded bikes back on trailer, went out for fuel and groceries and there goes another day!  Off to Amherst, NS tomorrow.

A Fond Farewell To Newfoundland

As we leave this gem hidden away in a corner of Canada I wanted to put some thoughts in general of our trip. 

We travelled with a wonderful couple that really added to our experiences. They had some vehicle issues that could have sent them home very early in the trip, but they persevered and continued on; full steam ahead!  We are glad they did.

I led our travelling companions down some “Garden Paths” with our trailers, but we always managed to get out and laugh about it during happy hour.

We have met some wonderful people during our travels and reunited with friends from our previous trip.  This included many travellers from away but of course the Newfoundlander’s themselves. 

Our world could learn a great deal from these people and their general philosophy to life.  Yes, the bigger cities do have their “rat races” but they are very hard working people, live in less than ideal weather and geographical conditions for much of the year.  They don’t seem to need a lot of “stuff” to enjoy life; they care about their culture and history and above all family.  They don’t take themselves too seriously, always ready for a good laugh, and just know how to have fun.  I cannot remember meeting one Newfoundlander that was not smiling or was in too much of a hurry to give you directions or just have a chat.  I tell people that five years ago when we were on the ferry returning to Nova Scotia, I was ready to catch the next ferry back to Newfoundland.  I do hope to return one day and experience our newest province and their people all over again.