The Return of Dodo Rouge & Maiden Canoe Voyage

Clatter Bang

Gaspé is currently doing a good 'Scottish-weather' impersonation

Last night we were awoken from a deep sleep by a HUGE CLATTER BANG inside the yurt.  "Ça va," said the ever optimistic Antoine.  We turned on the light & discovered that our 20 litre container of water had jumped off its self into the sink/bowl beneath.  Why it decided to do so at 3am i have no idea.  If the shelf had suddenly collapsed under the weight of the container, i would understand.  But everything - except the handle of my favourite mug - was as it should be.  Any experts in physics (or ghosts!) are welcome to donate theories.

The Return of Dodo-Rouge
My favourite moment from last week was The Return of Dodo-Rouge.  i was lying in the long spring grass, absorbing the sun after a nice lunch.  Antoine was doing his college work, by the open door (where the wi-fi is strongest).

Stock photo of Dodo Rouge

"Dodo Rouge!" Antoine exclaimed.  i sat up & saw a streak of red charging towards the trees.  "Dodo Rouge!" i called exuberantly.  "He was right here, with his paws on the doorstep" Antoine told me. 

Dodo had placed himself on top of Antoine's bike.  Right on the bag which sits on the handlebars.  He was staring at me.  He commenced to squeak-bark.  "i'm happy to see you too!"  i told him.  He continued to squeak-bark & stare at me.  i know he was telling me all of the adventures he'd been having in the last weeks since we'd seen him.  all the trees he'd climbed, beavers he'd seen, pine cones & female squirrels he'd nibbled!  It's a shame that my Squirrel is even lamer than my French & i couldn't really capture the essence of his journey.

He continued to squeak-bark & eye-ball me for a good 5 minutes before running up into the tree.  i chatted back to him, telling him how he was missed by all the blog's readers.  in my delight of seeing him i quite forgot to take his photo, but rest assured that he's looking healthy and getting bigger.  i imagine his diet now consists of something more nutritious than toast crumbs.


Maiden Canoe Voyage

As part of his course, Antoine's been going to a walking group.  i haven't been able to join in because of my knee (and hearing his stories of wind, snowshoes & freezing temperatures during the winter were less than enticing).  But last Sunday i joined in.  i'm also reluctant to walk in a group (having been spoiled by frequently walking alone in the Himalaya) i like to take time to connect with the nature, rather than race around the paths with a gym/fitness mentality.  it's cool if that's what you're into, but it's usually not my preferred way to be in the woods.  However, as Antoine's been so busy the past 6 weeks, it was a rare opportunity for us to hang out together.

Of course i had an awesome time.  Because it's Canada.  Because it's nature.  Because Canadians are just so darned nice.  When we arrived at our destination lake, we bumped into friends from the college, who offered us a trip across the lake in their canoes (who found it funny that i'd never been in a canoe before!).  And thus was my maiden voyage...

Canada, i love you THIS MUCH...

Antoine also discovered today that he got a summer job for Parc Canada (at Forilion, making videos & photography) which is awesome news & means that he'll be staying in Gaspé for the summer, whereas i'll most likely be returning to Scotland in July.  It's gonna be tough to leave This Canadian Yurt.

& remember, we are welcoming theories as to why our water container threw itself off the shelf at 3am this morning....