Manitoulin Island - Day 3

Good morning sunshine! What a perfect campsite we had last night, with the sun rising over the water to wake us up this morning. 

Photo credit Blaine Lang (above) 

Breakfast at the beach for us.

And the crows decided that they wanted to share my breakfast too!

We agreed today we'd all wear our Gaspe kit, and it made for lots (and lots and lots) of conversation and attention, even a few car honks.  

Photo credit: Blaine Lang (above)

Photo credit: Blaine Lang (two above)

We headed to Mindemoya for lunch. Sadly "Mum's" restaurant has closed so we carried on to The Grill. All day breakfast for all of us, as we had a very informative conversation with the table next to us.  After explaining we have not actually cycled all the way from Gaspe, and we are English speakers... Well after that it didn't matter if we spoke we just had to nod politely and listen as the story of the last 15 years "since we moved up here to the island" was told to us. First local friends. 

And then as our food arrived another table exclaimed "you go ahead and eat all those carbs, you will need them for these hills." 🤣🤣

This second local friend was very chatty. As we went to pay she called across the restaurant that she would like to pay for our meals 🙃. When we paid for ourselves, she called Anne Marie a "little brat", and as we walked out the door she said "travel safe you kids.". Too funny, she couldn't have been much more than 10 years older than any of us. 

Finally, before we left the parking lot, we befriended two guys getting in their pick up truck. They pointed out several deer across the road, and asked about our jerseys (his father was born in Gaspe!), and they shared some local knowledge about Wikwemikong, the roads and the interesting trails and trail / stray dogs. Wishing us safe travels, away they went. 

We cycled along quiet roads after lunch. Once again on "Lakeshore Road", this time along Lake Mindemoya.  

An easy riding today, smooth, straight roads and only small rolling hills. 

The quiet roads delivered us to Providence Bay.  And a big comfy chair. 

There was ice cream involved in the afternoon activities.  And then off to our Providence Bay Tent and Trailer Park to set up in a sheltered site, with enough sun to dry our towels and enough shade to keep us cool. 

Down on the boardwalk. Down by the Bay...

The dunes are quite impressive here, protected by this boardwalk that runs at least a kilometer.  

Our personal chefs made us a chopped salad for dinner. 

"Yes Chef!" is alive and well on Manitoulin. 

Back to the beach for the sunset with Blaine and Anne Marie, to finish a very good cycle touring day. 

Day is done. 

Gone the sun.