Having overnighted on a spit of land near Carleton sur Mer we breakfast looking at the sea and then depart heading towards Perce and then Gaspe. It should be a lovely costal drive but the weather thinks the Brits need some rain to feel at home- so duly obliges - all the way to Perce (about 2 hours ish)!
However the human element of the landscape is definitely different. There is a French feel to the whole place, ignoring the obvious clue of the road signs being in French. We hope to find a Boulangerie for croissants and coffee but none seen.
Whilst the adults can enjoy the view Alex is very good whilst travelling and doesn’t complain. Then Perce appears out of the mist with the famed cliff and Isla Bonaventure just showing 10 meters above the sea level - blink and we could miss it. We stop anyway and explore the wharf and boats with rough water breaking on the shore. Alex is very wary about the wharf as we have translated the sign saying ‘go on it at your own risk’ - 6 year olds normally want to kill themselves so his reaction is quite a surprise.
We explore the couple of open shops then find the Ecocentre which has a softplay area, ideal for Alex. As we leave the clouds miraculously disappear and the Isle appears in the sunlight as if to say this is a lovely place, really!
Onwards we travel around the beautiful coastal road through Gaspe and into the Forillion National Park. Although the wind is very strong we find a super seaside location to overnight - disturbing a courting couple in the process - ce la vie as the locals say!
Overnight the storm abates and we awake to a glorious day. We drive to the trail head and nearly cause an incident as we park! Passing a parked car Emma spots - a black bear cub just 10 mtres ahead in the undergrowth! Emergency stop! Scrabble for camera! Watch wild nature at its finest! Baby bear scampers away - brilliant. And the parked car? That was Gilles and Ursula trying to photograph the bear until this RV blocks their view - oops!!
What started as an incident turns into our lovely trail companions - for a brilliant walk all the way to Lands End! Standing on the platform looking over Lands End we watch seals frolicking in the waves and then Guy spots - Whale ‘blow’ in the distance. Big whales but several miles away, so much excitement!
Returning back to Wendy we find a huge egg - a Guillemot’s we think. And strange black poo and unusual paw prints, nature here is wonderful! Back at Wendy for a spot of lunch, Gilles and Ursula re-appear with a gift of a walking pole for Alex. We are meeting some wonderful people and friends on this adventure xx.
Then off we set on a long costal road round to Matane where we intend to catch a ferry. The road is literally between the sea and the cliffs - some 50km of civil engineering - with dramatic waterfalls, basking seals, the world’s tallest vertical wind turbine, the tallest lighthouse in Canada, stunning cliffs, beautiful settlements and always an eye on the great St. Lawrence seaway looking for signs of whales.
Arriving in Matane we find our destination of the La Fabrique micro brewery for some great food (ribs and burgers) and superb beer. Then bed as we have to be at the ferry for 7am.
And as for Gilles and Ursula - they spotted and photographed a Black Bear in Fourillion Park the next day! Maybe Wendy brought them luck after all!
Guy
Comentarios