Day 5: Annapolis Royal to Kentville

102 km (63 miles) – Total so far: 493 km (306 miles)

Far too long in the Olde Towne Pub with a few Keith’s IPA’s and chatting with various people. Eventually retired just after dark to a place I’d spotted before just behind the fire station. Nobody minds wild camping, though this was hardly wild, and I think it good manners to stay out of view near a residential area. The tent was up in 10 minutes, but it is very small to change in, but necessary to do so with the mosquitos on the prowl. One managed to get in the tent. Having heard it I used my usual trick of the torch beam short and to the tent wall. The thing was too busy eating for several minutes, but eventually I got it, with a fair few millilitres of my blood inside it.

The forecast for the night and following day had been for heavy rain, between 40 and 60 mm. There were heavy showers at night, and I was surprised my little Gelert coped without a problem. Very rapid break of camp at 6:30 am in a break between showers and then to find a cafe. The sleepy village doesn’t wake so early though, so I had to wait until 8 or Bistro East, which despite the delay was excellent.

After a 3rd coffee there was a rain break and I was off. The day was much better than forecast, though very humid. Temperatures 28 – 30 C feeling much warmer with the odd heavy shower, but when they came they were welcome. The route is the Evangeline Trail and excellent. Great scenery and fast, with villages dotted every few kilometres. I had not planned to get as far as I did. After Berwick the road becomes much busier and far less entertaining.

So I find myself in Kentville. It’s an old and very British town, which attracts tourists like Annapolis Royal but it’s a slow season. I need to wash clothes, dry the tent, and shower as its been 3 days. I was tempted towards a camp on the baseball field just out of town with an outdoor pool next to it, but the town is bigger than what is reasonable for a rough camp and more the chance of getting moved on or there being a baseball game this evening. There are two pubs however, the obligatory Irish bar and another to be investigated later.

102 kilometres, Max Speed 45.9 km / hr, 28.5 kph Ride time 4 hrs 31 mins, Average speed 22.3 km / hr, Departed 9:30 am, Arrived 2:35 pm