Newfoundland: Newfound Loveland.
30 November St. Fintans to 10.7km north of Doyle Junction. 41km
1 December. 10.7km North of Doyle Junction to Port aux Basques 48.5km.
Total km for Newfoundland:Cape Spear to Port aux Basques = 932.0 km.
Rough update below..Am short of time, sorry!
Mike and Linda dropped me off at St. Fintans where I picked up Nirvana from the service station before setting off. I felt nice and fresh as Linda had done my laundry last night, thanks Linda
I made many stops this meant I was out on the road till just after dark.
I had hoped to reach Doyles Junction but fell a little over 10km short when Clem a local teacher came out to meet me. He will bring me back in the morning.
He cooked a lovely pasta dish while giving me the lowdown on some of the local politics. I asked him about the (Newfoundland) Premier, Danny Wilson who is retiring this Friday after serving 7 years as Provincial leader. Wilson has a 90% popularity rating. Anyone that says anything against him is an outcast, so popular is the man.
” Did you ever hear anything like that before Tony? ”
” Only in a dictatorship! ” I said.
I then asked Clem.
” So where did he make his money? ”
” From cable tv, the media.
” So who is going to say anything against him?
” He has always made it clear he was going back to his old business when he served his term ”
Next morning I ran on towards Port aux Basques for my ferry to Nova Scotia. This will be my last day here. I felt a bit sad.
On the way I was almost blown off the road in an infamous area called the Wreckhouse. Strong winds blow through the mountainous valley and in the 18th century have been known to blow over freight trains!
Thats where the name Wreckhouse came from as someone rang a particular house to check on the wind. DETAILS If it was blowing the trains were halted and if it was calm the trains proceeded.
In recent years the wind has taken out several trucks. Today the wind seemed to be downgraded to taking out bicycles, horses and world runners!
I was so concerned that I actually crossed the road and ran with the traffic to my back instead of running towards it. Reason being, I was afraid of being blown out onto the road. I reckoned I stood a better chance being blown into the Atlantic, well there was a bit of beach in between!
This went on for almost 20km.
About 18km before Port aux Basques a woman called Jane drove up and got out of her car to give me a Tim Horton’s coffee and some sandwiches.
I need to get sponsored by Tim Horton’s for all this publicity!
Jane said she would join me on the road for my run into the city. I can’t believe I will arrive this afternoon. I remember seeing the sign for this place, just over 3 weeks ago back near St. Johns and it read something like 920km!
Jane told me she rang the local paper and a reporter was on the way out.
What transpired next is not for this blog! Suffice to say the reporter reached me on the road, then she had an incredibly embarrassing moment which made her report of my world run unimportant.. A second reporter was dispatched to rescue the embarrassed reporter.
Don’t worry, I told her you will be telling this incident at dinner parties for years to come once you get over your embarrassment!
Many incidents like this will be reserved for the World Jog book!
Jane had also arranged a steak dinner for me at Hotel Port aux Basques Many thanks Also a complimentary passage with cabin and a buffet breakfast compliments of the Marine Atlantic ferry company.
Dec 1 at 23.45 Took ferry from Port aux Basques (Newfoundland island) to North Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Dec 2. at 07.00 Arrive North Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Dec 2. North Sydney to Big Hill (km marker 99.2) 40.5km
Dec. 3 Big Hill to Aberdeen (km marker 52) 47.2km
Dec 4. Aberdeen to Port Hastings (km 0 ) 52km.
Dec 5. 7km east of Antigonish 45.6km
Total for 34 road days = 1,494.9km
December 4th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
What atrocious spelling, Tony. Clem and Wreckhouse … Not Crem and wreckers house. Jeez!! BTW, forecasted winds here today: 130km/hr. You Ran thru’ here on a calm day!
It was a pleasure to meet you. Glad you caught the boat and had some company in PaB. I hope you keep finding support and sponsors on your route.
Clem
December 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Sorry for that Clem
I took your name down on the phone from Mikes house and also Wreckhouse
It can be difficult at times with accents etc. I rushed that blog through at 2am and clearly should cut back on the content to concentrate on the run!
I will correct as soon as I can, sorry.
Yes just like the weather it seems someone up there is looking after me!
Thanks again. Tony
December 5th, 2010 at 1:14 am
Hi Tony, congratulations on completing the Newfoundland part of the World Jog. Hope Nova Scotia is as enjoyable for you. Take care Ann