Section 3 - Part 2 - Dryden to Winnipeg

Mileage leaving Dryden 35,453miles, on arrival in Winnipeg 35,686, driven 235 miles.

The landscape for most of the trip was stunning, a bit hilly only got into second gear once. Stopped at a lambswool showroom on the way, only 30 min after heading off. Could not see anything worth buying. Chance to use their rest room. There seems to be a lack of service stations on these highways so I try not to let the fuel indicator go below half so it mean I stop about every 1 hr. On our second stop on this section there was only a few pumps and somewhere to buy a coffee. This one had a pump attendant with the time it took to fill me up I heard he retired from work 10 years ago lost his wife to cancer. Then he asked me if I followed Coronation Street in the UK as he watches it most nights and that the omnibus of the weeks show are on Saturday morning. As they are about a month behind could I tell him what is happening. I am pleased to say I could not help him.

Driving on from there I saw a deer run across and several by a lake. We had arranged to meet Blair, a 2CV man, on the border of Ontario and Manitoba. He took us into Winnipeg. Blair warned us that after 50 miles the landscape would change from trees to plains and it did all the way into Winnipeg. He has said that its like this for the next 700 miles. Derek leaves tomorrow in the evening. So I will get him to check the 2CV before he goes. The tyres have got here but I will not fit them until needed. My son gets here tomorrow from Whistler and Martin from the UK. So we will be full strength to set of on Saturday. Paul who has been my co driver leaves on Saturday Derek and Paul have been good company Derek from Halifax and Paul from Thunderbay.

Blair and a flask of tea

Sheepskin Shop, a Welshman's dream come true

A Message from Rob Metcalf, now back in Sydney

Dear Colin,

As a family we are very delighted to be able to help with your cause.

On a personal level I felt very privileged to be asked to join you on your Journey and was inspired to see first hand how you have responded to the challenge.

After Toronto I personally felt reinvigorated and am now more positively looking to the future after a period of relative lethargy!

It was a great pleasure to get to know Jeffrey and Derek and although I have developed a fondness for the 2CV have no fear I am not in pre Alzheimer's and will not be wandering the world in search of a Citroen fix.

Even so, a tour across Australia at some time may be worth further consideration.

Keep rolling onto Vancouver!

Fond regards

Rob

A message From Chip Gillespie, now back in Westport

Dear Colin

Thank you again for letting me tag along. As we parted yesterday at the highway light, we saw you wave and head east in the wrong direction. Derek was a little panicked, contemplating yet a third day lost in the wilderness, and after driving east and west for a while, he dropped me off, not knowing if he was ahead or behind all over again. Glad to see from the blog this morning you all caught up fairly soon. I had a long day in airports, but was struck by the fact that our four days of driving from Toronto to Thunder Bay was erased in a 1 ½ hour flight back to the start. Hope your weather is continuing, and I shall track you on the blog. Here is a picture of you taking medication on the porch at the Island. I’ll send others in bits for you. The concept of the trip remains an inspiration, and your ability to talk to absolutely anyone, from the doctor at the hospital to the chap pushing carts in the Walmart lot, ensures your success. What an excellent adventure. Keep me in the loop.

Bon Voyage, Chip

Section 3 - Part 1 - Thunder Bay to Dryden

The drive across to Dryden is now behind us, we dropped off Chip at the airport and headed west. We left Thunder Bay on 35, 236 miles and finished in Dryden on 35, 453 miles, a total of 217 miles. The drive was not as sunny as we have had before today and there was about an hour of heavy rain. I managed to lose Derek but we met up after an hour. We met some good people on the way across when we stopped at a service station. It was not Watford Gap and consisted of one pump and a small shop but the coffee was great. We ended up having to tell everyone in the shop what a 2CV was and that it was not an automatic. Everyone seemed to know someone in the UK. I met a couple who are touring Canada and were on there way back to Vancouver. Steve Elliott and Lucle Walker offered to play for us in Vancouver at what ever venue we want. As you never know if a band are any good he gave us two of there CDs. It fell on Derek to listen and approve Derek has given the OK. You can learn more about Elliot and Lucie at

www.rockincountryblues.com

During this segment we have crossed another time zone and saw a black bear on the main road.

A service station along the way, not exactly Watford Gap!

Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute

We went to visit the Thunder Bay Regional Research Instituite. Our tour which was very impressive. It is amazing how they use video conference units all around the province. The building is three years old and very modern. We met up with Ann-Marie Cline, Kim Latimer P.L.McGhee, Jessica Nehrebeck and many others who could not have been more helpful.

The Research Center's Garden of Hope for survivors and non-survivors

Like me, another famous survivor

Second Break - Thunder Bay

We've enjoyed a rest day in Thunder Bay. We had a visit to the cancer unit this morning and are going back for a tour this afternoon. The weather is still good but we have heared about floods in Winnipeg. We need to order a voltage regulator but we're hoping our contact in Winnipeg will have one.

I had a hair cut so I will be tidy for my birthday. Paul had his first run in the 2CV. As he is a big car driver it has come as a shock.

At the Cancer Unit in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay to Winnipeg C2C team

Three remaining hairs trimmed!

Section 2 - Part 3 - Wawa to Thunder Bay

More Beer = More Empties = More Research Money!

We are not leaving as early as we have done before. The motel we stayed in Wawa was OK but it would have been a good place to be if there had been a fire it was full of firemen so we found out in the morning. There is a fire 60 miles north and they where being flown up there to fight it. As we where leaving they gave us a donation.

After taking advice from a truck driver we drove north and left Barry to pick up some jump leads. He found it hard to catch up with us. In trying to do that Derek was stopped in our hire car by the police for speeding. After a lot of pleading he was let off.

The LFB meets the BFB

We carried on and had lunch in a small village called town Nipigon. This is where storyline begins in the great children's book 'Paddle to the sea'. I have got a copy for Sia. Had lunch and then headed to Thunder Bay just outside there was a sign to an amethyst mine after driving down tracks up and down but we found it in the end. Managed to get a few gifts. Then on to Thunder Bay. Paul our next co driver was waiting. Rest day Monday then on to Winnipeg Tuesday.

At the Amethyst Mine

In the morning we hoping to go to the cancer hospital here. I have tried to ring them but got no where. So I will knock on the door.

The www..comjustgiving..com/colin-craythorne site is close to 10k, amazing!

Section 2 - Part 2 - Curly Rock to Wawa

We stopped off at a town on the shores of Lake Nipigon where this great story begins. We are staying in Thunder Bay for a day's rest then starting off for Winnipeg Tuesday morning. I have meeting at a cancer hospital in the morning.

Section 2 - Part 1 - Toronto to Curly Rock

Sunrise at Curly Rock

We picked up Chip Gillespie, the newest co-driver on the C2C team, from Toronto airport; he invited us to stay at his family retreat north of Toronto in the Curly Rock Islands. What a place! One cannot believe how ideal it is. It seems that I needed a rest. So in the end we spent two night and then made up the time lost today. The cottage did not have electric or running water. The weather has been so good so we even swam in the lake. It was one of those places that you would like to share with so many people. I got up early this morning and watched the sun come up and if you want to have bath its the lake you have to use. As there was not anyone around it had to be done.

Chip's first encounter with a 2CV

Me with Ralf King of the First Nation of the Ojibwe, he has just lost a very close friend, Ed Williams, to cancer.

First Break - Toronto

Derek caught in a moment of Citroen lust

A signed ball for the Toronto Arsenal Supporters' Club

Got to Toronto OK 1st section went well 1250 miles. We had two events in Toronto, one with the Arsenal Supporters of Toronto and the other with the Citreon Owners' Club. Both meetings raised money and we meet some great people. As the weather was so good I got a ride in a small Citroen through the streets of Toronto, an experience. The Arsenal event was a different type of thing but I handed over the signed ball. At this point we lose Rob Metcalf and Jeffrey Carmen. Chip Gillespie takes over as co-driver and Derek will continue to man the support vehicle. Thunder Bay here we come!

Section 1 - Part 3 - Quebec- Ottawa

C2C team in black and white quarters

(from left Derek, me, Rob Metcalf and Jeffrey)

along with members of the Ottawa 2CV Club

The Pinnacle of French Engineering - Puts the TGV to Shame

There is so much to write about in this first section that I will have to get my brain in gear. There have been so many people that we met; I have got to be sure not too miss anyone out or any of the places we have seen. We had a great meal on Tuesday night thanks to Rob Metcalf and Jeffrey who left the next morning. Chip Gillespie arrives today so that doesn't give me too much time to write my blog. Derek wants to do some work on the 2CV. Roll on to Sudbury!

Fredericton

Since leaving Halifax I have not been able to get WiFi for my lap top, so I can't send my photos, but I am sure I will when I get to Ottawa this afternoon.

So far everything has been so good. We met Bob & Rita in Fredericton; he is a Canadian 2CV owner. They looked after us, fed us, and I can't thank them enough. It made the first stop on our trip such a great experience. Now that we got to Quebec, I wish I was going to be here longer. Pictures say a lot more, so I hope to get them on my blog later today.

Proof that it's not the only 2CV in Canada

A meeting of the zeniths of French agricultural engineering

Section 1 - Part 2 - Fredericton to Quebec City

Always time for a "Cleansing Ale"

Yesterday we stopped for lunch at The Brasserie Breughel in Kamouraska, QC. It is a micro brewery on the way to Quebec, great beer and very nice bread and cheese as well. Aussie Rob is delighted that the Wallabies won the cup at the London Sevens.

Section 1 - Part 1 - Halifax to Fredericton