We decided o leave early again because of that darn wind issue! So ready at 8 am and time to cross the Chaleur Bay. Lots of white caps greeted us as we came out of Shippagan with about 2 to 3 ft waves. We started to see gannets flying about , probably from the Gannet colony on Ile Bonaventure.
Wind changed after a couple of hours and we had more favorable seas, almost surfing along.
It was fun passing between the famous Perce Rock formation on our left the the Ile Bonaventure on our right. I got out my camera and tried to take some photos Inbetween the rolling motion. After that we turned into the Gaspe Bay waters and the winds had changed again.
I took an hour to go up the Gapse Bay with the last of the magnificent Appalachian mountain range on our right .This is the mountain range that starts in Alabama in the USA.We were rewarded at the end of our journey with a snug sheltered harbor to go into and a friendly Dock guy called Doris to help us refuel and dock. .Yes his name was Doris ,as in Doris Day! Checked in at the Marina office , Graeme practising more of his excellent French. Crystal the office person then offered to call a car rental company so we would have wheels for tomorrow's tripping around. It was with Discount Rentals again and they also operate out of a car dealership business. Did a good deal so we could pick the car up today and then leave it at the Marina for Discount to pick up later. Crystal also offered to drive us over and pick up the car.We have been impressed how the people in the marinas are so kind and helpful to the transients.
Graeme washed the boat while I sorted out the info at the Visitors office conveniently right next to the Marina. We decided to take some pictures of the area from a lookout point and drove up and down a few streets but not finding the spot. Our last attempt took us up a dead end street to a lovely home.
The owner was just coming out so we asked for help and he offered to let us take pictures from the balcony of his beautiful modern home that had great views. Turns out he is a lobster fisherman and we would say there must be money to be made in that industry! Stopped by a local museum to look at the replica of the 30 ft wooden cross Jacques Cartier planted when he explored this area in 1534.and so he took possession of the area for France and learn a bit of Gaspe history.
We ended the evening by going into Gaspe town restaurant called Terra Nova in the Hotel des Commandantes which overlooked the Rivière York River . We sat at a window table with views of the lake.Was a very peaceful scene.In a way the vistas remind me of some of the Swiss lake areas surrounded by mountains. A good day and we are glad to have bitten off a chunk of the remaining journey .
Over and Out,
S and S
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