HI mate, Can't wait! Got to teach Tony how to play craps.

Well had a busy few weeks, lots to do at home and for the trip.
Took the bikes down yesterday to Southampton for there trip over to Canada
It was a painless process after we found the right office to go to. Can you put
Your bikes over there please, here's a receipt, job done, thanks.
pics to follow.

Please click on pics to enlarge.

This is me Pete with XT660z





This is Tony with XT600





Thats the bikes dropped off, see you in two weeks.

Managed to finally get the tent up and tested, All good and only 10mins first time setting it up, that might increase by a little as the more times I do it.



Vango 2 man. You couldn't get two of me in there put there's enough room for me and my gear.

Hi all, its the first time that I have had chance to get on line.

We arrived in Halifax on the 29th April at 21:30 and were met by Mags and Barry, next door neighbours that had moved to Halifax 30 odd years ago, great to see friendly faces at the airport and took us back to theirs where they made us very welcome. Thanks Mags and Barry for looking after us while we stayed with you, it is much appreciated.

Barry got the s out and we chatted till the early morning about the trip and family, well it was early hours to us as we were still on England time, we had a great time talking of the old times and how the house they used to live in and how it has changed over the years since they had left.

First task the next day was to find out the situ with the bikes. We headed for the office where we had to pay for the custom charges for bringing the bikes in, well Barry took us there. Found out that the women who deals with all the paperwork is on a training course until 12:30. Ok, no worries we will come back in 2 1/2 hours and sort it then. Off we went for coffee on the waterfront. After a couple we decided to go and get some info on local area and see if we could get some maps, we had some but if there free you can't have enough maps

Eventually it was time to go back to the office and get paperwork done. We were told that they wouldn't accept cash and it had to be a money order, which we could get from the post office, about 10 min walk, and then I need an e-mail of your certificate of arrival. Right off we go to the post office, $7 dollars for the privilege of doing so we get the money order. Then its back to the coffee shop where we were earlier as had free access to the internet there, WAP secured. E-mail done. Back to the office, hoping that she has received the e-mail, which she has, great, what now? Well its a 10 - 15 mins walk to the customs where you show this paperwork and you will get bikes. Great thanks, off we go to this office. 40mins later waling up and down this street trying to find it, which ended up being the building that is being demolished?? which we had walked by about 10 times. Tony then saw a building with Canada revenue on it, so we thought we ask in there. Thay confirmed our suspicion that the building no longer existed and they were just through that door. No communication between offices at all, We were then told that the bikes were not released yet and still waiting for inspection. Ring in the morning to see what is happening. This took from 10:00am till 13:00 to get this info.

These are some pics from packing, leaving Halifax, pic of Mags and Baz, first night camping, The Grand Falls, Victoria, On the 108 to Grand Falls.

Please click on pics to enlarge


This is what we had to fit in.







Mags And Baz



First night camping



First cuppa with Whisperlite



On the road to Grand Falls





The Grand Falls

Well today there are no pics, It was a hard day today with all the rain that we had. We woke this morning to it and everyone thinks your crazy to even think about going out in such weather. We wheeled the bikes around from the rear and started the process of loading them up. This is getting better by the day and we soon had the bikes loaded up ready to go. First thing is first and thats fuel up the bikes for the days run. Looks at the moment that we are getting 60 - 65 miles per gallon.

Well we decided to take the Trans Canada Highway. 198 miles to do today after a big one of 260miles the day before. Rain, what can you say about it, its wet, it gets everywhere, cold, thats a few things that That I don't like about it. Yes, its going to happen but I just don't like it, well lets correct myself a bit on that, I don't like it when my so called waterproofs don't work and start to let in the cold, wet rain. There were a few choice words that myself and the bike will only know. Think you all know that once your wet you might as well carry on and get where you need to be and get dry. Stopping just means that you get cold, hard to get all the gear off and know that you have to put it back on, wet hans and wet gloves just don't mix well.

Decision made, tomorrow i'm going to purchase some descent waterproofs and a new jacket. The jacket I have is few years old now, it has done me proud but time to get up to times with the tech that's is in these new jackets, hopefully it will last me just as long.

Hi there Pete
Sounds like you're gonna have a great time. If you are passing through Hamilton near Toronto drop into 'Dual Sport Plus' and see Catherine/waterlilly on HUBB. They are having a sale on so you could get some cheap gear there.
Also remember in Canada and the US, just go to any visitors centre or Chamber of Commerce and you can get yourself free state/provincial maps. (Free coffee sometimes too).
We are in Guatemala and slowly (very slowly) heading South too. Might see you on the road some where.

__________________
www.onepistononeworld.com

Hi Ukbri

Thanks for the info regarding Catherine and the sale but I have been out today in old Quebec at adm sports, and got new gear from there, can recommend them, very helpful even with our little amount of French we can speak, spent too much,but that's not new when in a bike shop. I have gone for the same make again Richa and new bag for back seat. Looking forward to trying them out.

You never know if your travelling slowly then we might meet up.

Ride safe.