Day 61 Weyburn to Stoughton

Pictures Itinerary JDRF Donor site

We had a tardy start today with only about 65km to do (on our “Rest day.”) We took the breakfast in the motel. I snuck out a banana, and we got on our way just before 7am. The landscape changed today, more trees and scrub, but still lots of arable land. The oil industry has taken over, there are lots of well heads to be seen near the road, and several have gas flares.

We agreed that the air had an unpleasant, rancid tang that we had not noticed before today. The roadway was also in poor condition and often the shoulder was un-rideable. Fortunately the traffic was still light, and very considerate, though it was the most we have seen for over a 1000km.

There was a strong wind from the north and a gently rising road which made the actual 71km more difficult for us than we had anticipated and we were ready for lunch when we got to Stoughton. We met up with a couple of young Montrealers, Jean-Phillip and Simon, who were going from Vancouver to Montreal. Somewhat quicker than us I have to admit. They came across as very nice guys and a credit to their families.

All the motel rooms were occupied by Oilmen, who as a group are very unfriendly folks, but as a guy from the Canadian Forces we met this morning pointed out, “Just because you have an unpleasant job, it doesn’t mean that you have an unpleasant manner.” There is no feeling here of sour grapes because we had to camp. The site was excellent, good showers and nicely shaded, and free.

About 4:30 we went back to the café at the cross roads for supper, then messed about until we retired at 20:00h. The café opens in the morning at 7am, so we will have a lie in and take breakfast there.

Unfortunately there is no WiFi in town that I could access.

Average 18.2kph

Height climbed 100m

Today’s Distance 71km

Total Distance 4265km (only about 3000kmleft!)

That's all the news that fit to blog. Night, night