The third boat gets it right
Early start to the day. Cheticamp harbour, flat as a skating rink (or a reflecting pool) as we head south. Too early for Charlie’s Music to be open, too late for Flora’s. Wonder what happened there.
The road turns into Route 19, and the villages are presented as beads on a highland rosary, complete with bilingual signs. Mabou, Judique, Creignish, Troy, Port Hawksbury. Musical addresses, for the fiddling fan.
A quick breakfast in an ice-cold A&W (maybe the summer staff didn’t finish the checklist when opening this early in the day). Across the causeway and then onto the highway. Antigonish to Merigomish to Pictou (another rotary, with the risk from unfamiliar drivers). And on to the boat.
Little matter that there was one already loaded and set to cast off. It’s one of the top heavy scows that have been in service since the ‘70s. We’ll wait for a real ship. And so the ninety minutes in the compound passed without a care. This was a free trip.
Due to arrangements made with the Bridge (there is only one Bridge in the context of the Island), we’re allowed to cross over without toll… catch you on the way out.
A family reunion in town, followed by a larger one out by the shore. A community in a cottage, including niece and nephews not seen for a year. Long evening’s journey into night, with the fancy airbeds unrolled in the wee hours of the morning. Music from iTunes. No matter. We’re on the Island, ready to start the vacation part of the vacation.
