There are only two hostels on PEI (Prince Edward Island) and they are not where I need them. I cross the Confederation Bridge, read it up, it’s rather impressive, and stop straight away at the information point. The weather is good so camping is an option and I almost by chance find a nice motel come campsite in Summerside, $17, a bargain. Next to me there is another biker with a tent, an old trucker from Albert with a massive chopper, we don’t talk much on arrival, but prior to leave in the morning he will be source of a great deal of information.
It’s early and there appears to be a Lobster festival in town so, once the camp is set and the excess baggage sorted I ride down to town where a cold pint of beer and some junk food is expecting me. Turns out I also get a show.
A good night sleep and up packing at a reasonable time. I stop talking with my new friend from out west and he gives me a few tips on destinations. I was not going to ride from Banff to Jasper but I am now also I’m going to go to the Going-To-The-Sun road in Montana.
I elect to do the west side of PEI, I have no time to do it all and, as it turns out, it’s sufficient to get a good feeling of the place.
The place is filled with Acadian references and lovely sea views, on hte whole I’m pleased I came but it’s not as stunning as one would think.
I rode all the way to the top, North Cape, and then all the way to the bottom, West point where I have another lovely beer and, finally, some lobsters, yum!
After getting my food I head east and aim to reach Cavendish where I will camp for the night. I get there in good time and discover that the campsite is in a national park so the standard fee of $32, which I find extortionate, is increased by $8 for the entrance fee to the park. I’m camping for $10 more than I paid in the hostel in Halifax, shocking.
I cook some noodles with my fuel stove and, luckily, having a power point, I recharge all the equipment. In the morning I head for Charlottetown, the province capital, and have a little look around before heading west to cross the bridge again and tackle New Brunswick.
There is not much to do in New Brunswick other than cross it, I stop in Federicton to get myself a drink and a flag sticker for the pannier and, dodging a shower I get to the campsite, which is more reasonably priced, in good time. The campsite has wifi and a pub so it’s local Irish Red again for me and tomorrow we’re off to Quebec City.
