Life is a highway , no , life is the open road !!!: ay 63

Sunset at camp

28 August

It’s dark at 5.30 when the alarm clock goes off and it stays dark for a while , the cooking crew stars preparing breakfast with flash lights !, such a change from the beginning when the sun came up around 5 and set around 10 .

Problems started early today , first Bob had a flat tire before we left camp , then Murray could not get his bike computer to work and one needs a computer to know the distances to the next turn , or the trip total , or just your average speed to know how your doing , so not having one is no fun. Later we found out that Jay also had a flat before leaving camp , just one of those days !

We followed water again , it seems to be one of the constants on this trip , water, be it rivers , lakes or oceans , water is everywhere , the other constant being the railroad , we seem to have followed it across the country , usually tracks in sight, if not the sound of them can be heard just about every night .

Today ocean was the attraction and fishing towns, the smell of both in the air especially as we passed the numerous wharfs and fish processing plants in the area. The other thing very noticeable here and everywhere we have been in New Brunswick is the Acadian flag , there is a proud Acadian heritage here and they do not hide it. And the french language is freely spoken here , you hear it more then english, but I must say we have had no problems with communication at all , most having good english skills making me feel very inadequate that I don't have any french language skills at all.

The highlight of the day is when we came around a bend and the sound of folk music was heard , the crowd had gathered and as usual TdC bicycles were parked in sight , a Farmers Market was in full swing with live music and all, and lots of produce available , especially pastries , I had an apple turnover and others in the group the cinnamon rolls chased with good coffee freshly brewed , it was one of those magical moments we run into every now and then, John even got up on stage and played guitar singing some tunes with the band, we found it hard to leave. Later we went through Shediac a bustling place full of seafood restaurants , of course we ate , some had lobster sandwiches , me fish and chips.

The unusual was the two bridges that were closed under construction , the first was actually in place so we hopped over the barriers and the machinery and got through , the second bridge was totally gone and a bit of cross country traveling was needed to get across but we managed just fine !!!

And now we are camped by the ocean, a beautiful spot , PEI is visible on the horizon , the bridge a mere 16 km away , after dinner we sat by the ocean and watched the sun go down just a perfect ending to a good day .

Total ridden today: 149.9 - Average speed: 22.8 - Ridding time: 6.33