Getting on the road again!
It's with a heavy heart that I'm letting you all know that Ella has decided to leave this journey. After her fall and recovery, followed by Freddo's accident, she decided this trip, with all it's drudgery and repetition and risk, was not for her. After coming to this decision, we tied up some loose ends, and found a wonderful home for Freddo in Nova Scotia. Ella is off to Quebec City and Montreal, and then other exciting adventures (involving fewer legs this time!). Wishing you all the best for future endeavours, dear friend.
It was a rocky few weeks, and it had me pondering on the experiences these kind of journeys become. I found it hard not to make comparisons. Having completed an undertaking similar to this journey in many ways, I had to stop myself from comparing this trip to that one. Crossing Australia feels like a succinct storyline in my head, with trials and tribulations all leading to a successful finish. But the story only makes sense because it is over. When this Trans Canada expedition is done, I will be able to make it into a logical narrative.... But right now, it doesn't really make sense because I am in the thick of it. I have to stop myself from comparing my Canadian horses to my Australian ones. I have to catch myself before I feel nostalgia for a country I know compared to this one I don't, whose language I don't even speak right now (I still love you, Quebec)...
Because sometimes I'll admit that just the thought of the weight of distance still to travel, of the unknown possibilities of things that could go wrong makes me sick to my stomach. It's like being an icebreaker through unknown lands and unknown possible outcomes... I'm just ploughing through, trying not to think about what might have been or what might be, trying to just let it just unroll in front of me... And trying not to miss my boys in Tassie too much.
But we carry on!
Myself, Jack and Wilson headed off from St Epiphane and the warm and generous hospitality of Martin and Lison. We spent a few days meandering through the forest so I could walk off my anxiety about being on the road again. I was stressed about how the horses would be in traffic, and I was worried about how Jack would go - he only recovered from his mystery muscle pull about four weeks ago, and spent the next three weeks getting fat(ter) eating grass at Tetagouche River Ranch - hardly the perfect training for getting back on the road! It was nice to have those quiet days to reconnect and see how the forest has exploded with summer since last we were out.
From there, we made our way to Mont Carmel where we stayed a night at Léonie's riding school, and then to Ste Louise, where we had a rest day at Simon's beautiful home. Eastern Canada has been experiencing a heat wave, with temperatures in the mid thirties and humidity index over low to mid forties - not good weather for riding! The week of travel relaxed me a bit - Jack is doing great, and both he and Wilson are amazing in traffic. Indeed, I don't think I've seen a horse better with traffic than Jack - trucks, tractors, bikes, motorcycles, scooters, transport lorries... He barely even flicks an ear at any of them. This gives me a lot more confidence, as we are heading towards more built up areas with larger towns, busier roads and bridges as we skirt South of Quebec City and down towards Sherbrook.
Here's hoping the heat and humidity dies down next week! Onwards through Southern Quebec!!