We were a couple of weeks waiting for the Defender to arrive in Canada, and once it did arrive, the joy and excitement of traveling and exploring a new continent was dulled by the overhanging fear that we were already going to have a mechanical failure in the gearbox (as suggested by a mechanic back in the UK). But it was time to move on and embrace the possibility of a breakdown… I mean, it is a Land Rover!
Our (very loose) plans for Canada were to head West in search of snow and an epic winter snowboarding season somewhere like Banff or Whistler, a real dream of my own. But recommendations from a family friend led us to consider visiting Newfoundland and then we thought why don’t we attempt to see all the provinces and territories of Canada. A true exploration feat! So with little planning, we headed off and spent a few days gradually making our way North through Nova Scotia and then Cape Breton. Little did we know that the day we arrived in Canada (Thanksgiving) was actually the holiday that marks the end of the camping season and that most campgrounds and all national parks were officially closed. One of the first learning curves of many on this journey!
Our first night in the camper was a fantastic feeling. Finally we were doing it! The dream was beginning, and we were so happy. A little fox visited us at our coastal camp, likely looking for scraps, but this really marked the beginning for us of the adventure yet to come.
Cape Breton was beautifully snow dusted. The days were cold and the nights windy. We had really put ourselves straight into the deep end but that seems to be our style and we were loving every minute. We hiked the snowy trail of Blueberry Mountain with Evie in Cape Breton National Park. I believe the memory of reaching the top and embracing the view will be a memory in our minds forever, and so will the fear of being attacked by a black bear! The most dangerous predator back home are other humans so we weren’t familiar with the idea of a big furry berry eater taking out it’s bad mood on us…
We drove the Cabot trail around Cape Breton which was earely quiet due to the off season. With on and off snow, rain and even hail storms, the warm colours of fall still broke through the incoming grey winter weather when they could. Though not perfect summer sunny weather, we were so happy to be travelling and actually loved the peace and quiet. Our whole time on the Cabot Trail we prayed to see a moose but with absolutely no luck, it was time to move on, and we headed to the city of Sydney to in preparation of the Newfoundland ferry. The ferry was long, and we couldn’t have Evie by our side unfortunately. We were told that she had to be in a crate in the dog kennel area, so in preparation, we had taken her airplane crate with us on the roof of the Defender. A cumbersome load but anything for our 4 legged friend!
When we arrived at the boat, they said that we didn’t need the crate and that there were newly installed kennels. Slightly annoyed at having taken the crate just for this reason, and even contacting them to ensure the need of the crate, but we shrugged it off and walked up to the kennels with Evie which were made of a thin sheet metal and warped with every movement she made. She looked terrified and uncomfortable so we couldn’t just leave her there. After speaking to some staff, they had recommended putting her back in the car and letting her stay there which is apparently what the locals usually do. We chose this option but it meant not seeing her for the duration of the crossing which was nerve racking but also a turning point for us in realising that the Defender is her home, It’s where her bed is and it’s where she will be comfortable. An insight we are much more accustomed to these days.