Week 1 - North Shore
I can’t stop eating. The constant roar in my legs and rear end have turned to a low hum in the back of my thoughts. I have the strangest tan lines. It’s been eleven days since we set off and I finally feel like I am a fair distance from home.
Antigonish - Arisaig - Brookland - Tatamagouche - Pugwash
We’ve offered ourselves to the landscape and to the hands of others. What a splendid way to know of place and community. Days stretch out as tidal flats. the horizon always receding, the night surprisingly distant from the morning’s journey. With out camping gear packed, we’ve set out with little expectation of hospitality, seeking only a patch of ground to rest on. Yet, what generosity we’ve encountered! With every arrival, strangers and loved ones alike have welcomed us into their homes, fed us, connected us with audiences, given us beds to sleep in, and much more.
Our first stop was in Arisaig, a last minute addition to our tour. Having scouted the route west, we thought it would be best to take the loop along the northern coast rather than brave the heavy traffic of the Trans-Canada. Despite the short notice, some family friends graciously put up posters for us and knocked on their neighbours doors to let them know about the show. To our surprise, we were greeted by a vibrant audience of fifty people with many familiar faces. Despite having biked two days from home, the trip to Arisaig was still only a twenty minute car ride from town, meaning that many of our friends were happy to make the trip out to see us. Strange to feel like we were adventuring in our own backyard.
Our next show was in Brookland were a friend had invited us to do a show at her farm. Taking two days to get there, we passed through New Glasgow and stayed with Laura’s sister. After braving many miles of dirt road, we arrived at a beautiful clearing where children had decorated the entrance with cheerful banners and colourful flags. A hearty gathering weathered a light rain shower and our friends fed us a gorgeous meal of vegetables straight from the garden.
Although we had given the set a few test rides before departing, nothing could prepare us for the long hours of hauling extra weight. Leaving Brookland with over sixty kilometers of rough road ahead of us, we couldn’t help but feel discouraged, our bodies sore and heavy from the sun. Luckily for us, we have more friends waiting for us on the other end, with food and warm company. With a weekend approaching, we were set up to do two shows in Tatamagouche at the Grace Jollymore Joyce Arts Centre. Performing an the Senators Stage, right in the middle of Creamery Square, we were delighted to have two days in one place.
To close our first week of touring, we have been invited out to Pugwash to perform as part of the Pugwash Harbourfest. When we rolled into town, we were a little dumbfounded to find that our venue, the Harbourfront Centre, was a massive stage right on the water. As sunset approached, a large audience assembled in the park. Our tiny puppet show suddenly felt very small, but was well received regardless. We spent the night at our hosts property just outside of town where they had a beautiful assemblage of animals nestled around an incredible straw bale house. Again, we were in awe of the generosity shared with us from strangers.
After a week of pedaling west, our bodies are oddly darker on one side. As we turn the corner around Amherst, we change our course and head toward the Bay of Fundy where the Ship’s Company Theatre will host us in several locations. There will be plenty of hills to look forward to.