Channel-Port aux-Basques – Steps to Anywhere

Back in Nova Scotia

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

Despite the 11:45 departure time for the ferry we still left the Port aux Basques hotel about 9 to get a Timmy’s coffee as the reputation of the ferry terminal food services has not been good. Also, they expect everyone to check-in at the terminal 2 hours before sailing. We boarded from the back of the ferry and were very near the front for an early evacuation in North Sydney.

So we say goodbye to Newfoundland and Port aux Basques as our ferry, the MV Highlanders, sailed out of the harbour.

The ship rolled considerably after we left the shelter of the harbour and continued to do so for almost half of the trip. It was sufficient for Gail to buy some Ginger Gravol which seemed to help. She was not the only one feeling the effects of the sea but I saw nobody violently ill. From the mid point on the seas were calm and we arrived in North Sydney right on schedule at 1730 Atlantic time.

On the way to the hotel we did a bit of grocery shopping for the next two long days of travel and grabbed a fast food dinner. Once at the hotel we made a final trip to the hotel’s laundry then finished off the last of the wine. Oh yeah, the 24th was our 49th anniversary.

There won’t be much in the journal now until after we arrive in Ottawa on Sunday since Saturday will be a very long travel day with Sunday being a little shorter but with Montreal in the way. Hopefully we will find the Route 30 bypass uncrowded.

Final day in Newfoundland

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

The weather was again fantastic for our final day in Newfoundland. It was only a 200 km trip from Corner Brook to Port aux Basques and we arrived around noon. After a little shopping we grabbed a Timmy’s coffee and drove out into the Codroy Valley only a short distance from Port aux-Basques to find a quiet place for lunch.

After lunch we returned to Port aux Basques and checked into our hotel for the night. Our room was actually ready at 2 PM. We took a walk around the town, visited an ATM and chatted with some locals along the harbour boardwalk. Upon returning to the room there was a new development–no water. An hour later we learned that it was not just a hotel problem but one affecting the whole town.
Water returned about 11 pm although pressure was low. Fortunately, we were on the first floor. People on the third floor never really got water.
Now we are waiting for the ferry. I should be able to post a few more photos once we reach Sydney.

Sydney to Channel-Port aux-Basques

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

Today began with an easy 15 km drive from our Sydney hotel to the North Sydney ferry terminal. Upon checking in we discovered only one of us was actually booked for travel. Once that was repaired we moved into our assigned position in lane 27 and left the car to go for coffee. There is no food service in the terminal but, how coincidentally, there is a Timmy’s right next to the terminal.

We were among the first vehicles to board the lowest level on the MV Lief Ericsson ferry. A cruise ship she was not. One hopes that they emphasize sea worthiness in their maintenance program because they certainly don’t emphasize much else. There was rust evident everywhere and the furniture definitely showed its age. The food was adequate and what it lacked in quality it made up for in quantity. However, the seas were quiet and the voyage was uneventful.

We chatted with travelers from all over the country. There was a couple from Washington state who were perpetual nomads, numerous hunters visiting for a week long hunt and others from nearer home. Everyone was willing to chat whether in the lounges or out on the open deck. The weather was superb, even hot out on the deck. Some folks seemed to spend the whole voyage outside.

As we neared Channel-Port aux-Basques it was evident that there was no fog and we would actually get to see the town. We stayed on deck until the ferry was docked and then we were called to our vehicles. Things looked much different on deck 3 then when we left the car in the morning. We had to negotiate our way around a line of 18 wheelers and squeeze between them and the line of passenger vehicles to finally arrive at the car.

Once again we among the first vehicles to move and start for our hotel. The GPS was quite confused as we left the ship. It still thought it was in North Sydney and selected a very long route to our hotel via Argentia, the other ferry terminal. Once outside the ship Penny (the GPS) figured out we were only 4 km from destination.

Once at the St. Christopher’s motel we had a very nice dinner at the hotel restaurant and had great dinner conversation with a couple from Lethbridge, Alberta. Now we are just relaxing in our room watching the Blue Jays.

A few shots arriving in Channel-Port aux-Basques.