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. Port Hastings to 7km east of Antigonish 45.6km

Dec  6. 7km East of Antiggonish.    31.5km

Total for 35 road days = 1,526.4km

Nova Scotia… New Scotland as they say.

I ran off the ferry from Newfoundland Island onto Nova Scotia soil ready for more Canadian adventures.

I had heard so much about how beautiful Cape Breton Island is. It’s about 1km to the east of the Nova Scotia mainland, connected by the Canso Causeway.

But first there was a minor scare as a bridge about a km long had a ‘ No Pedestrians ‘ sign. I want to run every land kilometer, so as there were no cops around I just ran over it as quickly as possible

There were spectacular views of the lakes as I climbed over Kelly’s mountain.

A 240 meter climb over 7km. And then the descent Climbs like this really break up the day for me. I actually enjoy them. A couple of people sent me emails getting the impression I don’t like hills. I guess perhaps this is because I mention them in the blog.. Well, I am just reporting what I am doing, and remember… I lived in Colorado!

This area is also steeped in Scottish Gaelic.

There were many beautiful hiking trails but as I am on a mission I won’t be taking any trails or making any excursions off my chosen route.

The first day I clocked in with a 40.5km which was a bit shorter than I wanted. I cut it short as I spotted a good place to camp.

I got a good 12 hours sleep, on and off and hit the road just after 8am.

I pushed on through a couple of Indian reservations, or First Native as they are called here.

Someone told me that the person responsible for sorting out the social problems of this area is on a million and a half dollars a year.

I ran through Wagmatcook and Whycocomagh. In one of these villages there were so many unfriendly dogs that I had my dog deterrent at the ready. Even the birds sounded angry.

I spent my second night in the Aberdeen Motel, in Aberdeen thanks once again to my Magic Letter I managed to negotiate a $20 room with a queen sized bed!

The owner is Beatrice from Switzerland.

Just after having my shower a First Native man came through my unlocked door supposedly mistaking my room for his own.

Next morning upon leaving I couldn’t get Nirvana out of the room as his GMC SUV was parked up on my path and outside my door blocking my exit!

I hammered on his window and after about 10 minutes the same man looking the worst for wear reappeared to verbally abuse Beatrice and me telling us to ‘ Just Shut Up! ‘ Nice..

It rained all day Saturday. Irish rain… We would be proud of it!  My first real rain since leaving the Emerald Isle. Still I ran 52km to Port Hastings getting there after dark. By now the rain was torrential. The Magic letter failed in 2 motels. Best I could get was 70 dollars a night plus taxes, only a miserable 10 dollar discount.

I didn’t know what to do. I decided to stay in the second one for dinner and just to change clothes and log onto their wi-fi and figure something out when the rain stops..Gotta be optimistic!

I was sitting up at the bar eating my steak and chips and keying away at my keyboard. A man called Phil was also sitting eating his dinner  at the bar and talking about road conditions to another customer. I had been altering my route through New Brunswick. In Ireland I had been considering a southern route through Saint George and Saint John’s but instead had opted for a northern route as it looked ‘ safer ‘ weather-wise. I had decided to wait till I got here and ask the locals. I have been assured by many that the southern route would be a better bet and would also save me a couple of days.

Phil confirmed this. He then got interested in my trip. He said he saw me a couple of times on the road and wondered what kind of a father would bring his child out in the rain for a run along the highway today!

He told me he works as a service engineer for a refrigeration company doing much of his work on hockey rinks. He has racked up many ‘ loyalty frequent stayer ‘ free nights in a series of hotels. He gave me one of those vouchers for tonight in this hotel….  It’s people like Phil that come to my rescue at my time of need that make the World Jog possible. It would not be possible withou these wonderful people… I owe you all so much.

Sometimes  I wonder if there is someone up there looking down on me.

Happy days… Thanks Phil!

Phil the engineer gave me a voucher for a nights stay in this nice motel.

Next day out on the road from Port Hastings to Antigonish the running was easy and very enjoyable. For much of it I had a tailwind. The road was very busy for a Sunday. I can’t believe I haven’t seen a cop in 4 days in Nova. Scotia!

I stopped for the day at 45.6km at a motel Phil recommended for Magic Letter treatment and sure enough I secured a $20 room. Back in business!The owner of The Coastal Inn, a Chinese woman called Jane was very friendly saying all Chinese motel owners are decent people.. I believe that as this is my second such dealing with them in two weeks. I have found them to be very susceptible to a haggle.

I went across the road to Mother Webb’s Steakhouse and got ripped off!

A $19 steak ended up costing $30 as they charged for gravy and onions which were not marked as extras. Then she didn’t give me the small change out of the 30, just handed me back 10 out of my 40!

I left a 2 dollar tip and also a comment in the comment box without getting as much as a thank you for the tip!

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