Ottawa, Home of Alanis Morrisette

Well, I saw her house- not that impressive actually. She needs to sell a few more albums...

So, out on the town last night, with Dave and Chloe and Dave. The Dave on the right reminds me of a well known comedian.... what do you reckon? But, even more strange, his humour and mannerisms are identical to Stewart Ford.

Check out the video to see for yourself...

I had the opportunity for a bungy jump today- but decided it wasn't happening... this time.



I went on a local tour with Jamie who works for the hostel to savour the delights of some French Canadian Country music at a bar which was reminiscent of countless bars in films (eg the one where Arnie's Terminator gets his clothes, his shades and his motorcycle) which incidentally is soon to host a moderately famous guitarist.

We also got to taste a dish called Poutine.

which as you can see from the photo was french fries, draped in gravy and cheese curds.

Jamie has an Yamaha R1 and we are going to join a 100 strong bike rally tonight... stay tuned....

Thanks, Armitage Shanks...

The US gallon is smaller than the UK gallon. Canada measure in litres so my MPG calculations here are accurate (multiply by 0.22) but no one in USA filling stations could tell me the equivalent volume in litres for a US gallon. Mildly frustrated by not being able to work this out, I was helpfully informed of the exact figures by an Armitage Shanks URINAL! The flush capacity is 1 gallon per flush, or 3.8 litres. Fantastic! The most informative visit to the men's "restroom" ever. Now i can tell you that the traffic jam MPG is 32, going up to 43 for town and country mix, and 53 for a long distance cruise. By the way, you can still hear the stereo at 110mph...

Ottawa, Ontario

Now I am in Ottawa, about 4 hours drive from Algonquin. Had a relaxing and uneventful ride here. I flagged a guy down to ask directions when I was lost in the middle of nowhere. He has relatives in Bristol (no really- actually in Clevedon) which was interesting for 20 seconds...! I found the hostel immediately. I drove in on the most wonderful scenic route and turned down a few streets and asked someone about hostels and I was virtually outside! I am off out now to explore Ottawa with a guy called Dave from Cornwall. Tomorrow there is a huge bike rally - great timing or what! so I will leave the following morning, heading for Washington which will take two days. Then I will see Ben Small's friend Jill for the last days before I ship the bike.

Algonquin State Park

I went North to try and see some of the wilderness, ending up in Algonquin National Park.


I camped there last night (Weds) after seeing some amazing lakes and scenery. Didn't sleep at all as far as I can tell. It was Brrrrrrr! freezing and I wasn't prepared, with only my fleece sleeping bag. I finally realised that putting on some more clothes was a good idea, but then it just got colder. I kept awake today by stopping for coffee at every Tim Hortons (great coffee, even greater cookies). I met loads of people- it is amazing how the Goldwing attracts attention, mostly welcome until you get the old guy who wants to tell you about his 'old British bike', how he sold it to go to the war and how he relatives right near me in Bristol (like, Surrey and Kent!)

Might see you Friday...

I visited Buffalo, NY then Erie, PA trying to get extra time on my temp plate. No good. I am swimming in an ocean of paperwork, telephone numbers and conflicting info. If I can't sort this in the next 24 hours, I'll be seeing you Friday (if you are reading this in the UK...)

Before leaving Toronto I was told I could get 10 extra days. According to my research in the USA this should not be possible. However, it sounded good to me. I visited NY to investigate full registration anyway (NYS is the only state to offer exemption on sales taxes- elsewhere I would pay 6-8% of the purchase price). However the insurance card is not good enough for their system. I phoned the insurance company and the only person who can deal with this is away for the week- so off to Pennsylvania- to find that despite information gleaned from PA DMV before leaving the UK, I cannot get a temp plate in the current situation. (I did not forsee certain details when making the calls fromt he UK but I will spare you the them here). Net result is that I must return to Ontario province in Canada to get the extra 10 days- this is the last remaining option, otherwise the bike must be on a plane by Friday, that's only 72 hours and I'm in another country right now!

So, back in to Canada- Hamilton Vehicle Office. Who tell me they categorically cannot issue a temp plate because I already had one from Michigan. Not to be defeated by the massive bureaucracy machine (I did live in Russia for 9 months!) I returned to Toronto to the same office that offered me 10 days extra, spoke to the same person and pointed out the problems highlighted in Hamilton. There are no problems apparently. Sign the form, write in the policy number and "you're good to go". I do need another document faxed from the previous owner which has yet to appear but when it does I can do proceed. The balance of timing is critical. If I wait til Friday and it goes wrong I will have a bike that I cannot ride to NY to get shipped. If I do it earlier I waste valuable travelling days.

I have been told twice by the same operative in Toronto that I can do this- so I am gambling a little, but I will wait til Friday, get the 10 days extension and then spend then last week..... in Canada? Or going down the East Coast? (Which would you do? Phone voting opens at midnight...)

Despite this hassle, I am enjoying the road trip. I still get a kick out of looking out to the side whilst riding and seeing the American countryside roll past, legs extended on the cruising pegs, stereo on full volume (Rock FM still). It's amazing.

Lake Erie and Pennsylvania

After one night in my own room in the hostel in Niagra, where I caught up on some sleep, I headed down the coast of Lake Erie to the town Erie (said Ear-y) which is in Pennsylvania. There is no helmet law throughout the state so bikers ride free with the wind in their hair- it is an amazing experience but of course I don't take risks like that myself.....

Some pics...

Riding through Erie, Pennsylvania (camera gives illusion of having no helmet on, but it must be the light...)


I haven't studied the map, I was just riding around- but it seemed there was a peninsula with a State Park on it- which was amazing to ride through and see the water and the sun. Soft sun set off the coast...


And proof indeed that I did in fact do the American wilderness thing and go camping. In fact I think my 'I hate camping cos I can never sleep' excuse may be about to expire - I found an amazing self inflating camping matress which is actually comfortable. It was a bit of a farce putting the tent up by myself in the dark - I almost had to consider sleeping wrapped up in the fly sheet but at last it came together.

Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada

Niagra Falls. Amazing. Pictures speak for themselves. The town itself is a mini Las Vegas and slightly on the paper hats and candy floss side of things. A kind of jazzed up Weston Super Mare.... speak for itself!

There are two parts to the Falls, the American Fall and the Canadian Horse Shoe falls. The latter are bigger and more impressive. I think I picked up a vibe the the Americans don't really like that the Canadians have the bigger, better falls. Come on guys, you can't have the biggest *everything*!!









I still have the souvenir rain smock- collectible eBay item?? (There are only about 20 million produced each year...)

Leaving Toronto.....

Toronto has been great fun. I have met loads of great people, especially the Work-Canada group from the UK who got to know me as Camera-Guy because when i offered to take their photo, 18 cameras were thrust at me to do the honours... on at least three separate occasions!

Here are some pics....
Peels Bar 31-Aug


Peels again (Stacey, I know what you mean about how the water gives you fuzzy hair!)


Outside the Global International Humid Noise Fest Grot Hostel


This one is for Ben Small, Bristol, UK.. they named a street after the barman...


Then there was the French Canadian Delboy Builder Guy I mentioned before...


I didn't get a photo of the woman that the Starbucks staff allowed into the key operated toilet facility whilst I was busy having a sit down... I wasn't much phased by it, (I just kept my eyes down and carried on texting-as you do) but the staff gave me free drinks in their desperation to repair the situation.

Off to Niagra Falls today and then some camping, but I may be back to Toronto...SOON!