Sat July 23, 2011
This was a day filled with change. The sun was out all day, amazing !! Most sun I've seen since landing on this rock. Dark desolate rock of doom and despair.
I decided to book a boat tour with one of several fine companies in town. Obrien's Whale and Bird Tours based out of Bay Bulls (30 min. from the city) Seeing as I Didn't feel like riding, I ordered up myself a shuttle to get me there. $25.00 well spent. It was a bloody treat to sit back and enjoy the ride. The shuttle was 75 % full and was alive with the sounds of happy people. Highwaycat can tell a fine joke, but it gets tiresome.The driver kept us entertained and versed on the history of this predominantly Irish route. After cycling 8000 km, I was happy with this little road trip. After boarding one of their several vessels I found myself on the top deck ready for whale action. A two hour ride into "Witless Bay" where we played hide and seek with a Humpback and also an amazing collection of birds at Gull Island. They own the island, I've never seen so many birds in one area. The Puffin is an odd clumsy bird above water, but is a superhero underwater.puffin Many species hang out here including different types of sea gulls and a bird similar to the Penguin. And others. Not a big showing of Puffins today. sob
The host was very energetic and a talented musician. He kept us informed and sang songs of the land. I gave him a break as I told him some of my stories, I think that he was happy to sit and listen instead of being the full time entertainer. I didn't say much, but it was a nice little break for him.
A great outing indeed !
Once back at the hotel, I had to pack Shirley for the flight. I had picked up a box for $5.00 at "Canary Cycles" earlier. Funny, I don't remember ever paying a bike shop for an empty cardboard box before. Hmmm. I asked for a large box, but what I got was a small mountain bike box. There are people who listen, there are people who don't, and there are people who just don't give a shit. I took a while to get Shirley to fit, including both racks, fenders, shoes,water bottles, helmet and tools.
After taping up the box, I realized that I needed the bike tools to remove the hardware from my panniers for shipping. (they were in the box) Many swear words came to mind, but didn't materialize. I Duck Taped cardboard to the aluminum and metal mounting brackets on to the panniers to protect them from the riggors of airport baggage goons.
A somber evening of reflection as the morning to come brings a silver-winged demon.
The end is near...
View from tour bus. Irish country
Obrien's Whale & Bird Tours, Witless Bay
Our boat...
Momma Mermaid
Our cool host who can sing a mean Newfy Note. The older guys in red wanted HWC for an Evil Experiment of some sort. I arrested them, and they walked the plank. Fools !
Henry the Humpback...
Majestic beast
Gull Island
Should've bin called "Bird Island", there are so many birds here. It's noisy as hell, amazing.
Planet Bird
A great village, but not for "Trick or Treating"
A sad predicament for Surly Shirley. Sorry girl ! You were so amazingly good to me !
Naked and helpless.
Shirley's sarcoffecuss...
No No No !, When I say "40 foot", I'm talking about the wave height. Not how far you can walk in 3.7 minutes. You don't really walk anyway. I grab and throw you, and I can throw you at least 60 feet (with a stone strapped to your back)
Mission Accomplished . "Didn't George Bush say that Too?"
No comments:
Post a Comment