Slept quite well last night and we were up around 6:30. We had done a wash and had a clothesline hanging in the room, but unfortunately the clothing didn`t dry. Took a bit longer to pack up everything today. We had breakfast in the hotel and were on the road by 8:20. The sun was shining brightly and I was wearing arm warmers and light vest. We weren`t 3 km out of Campbellton when the terrain began to change and instead of the somewhat flat roads we had been on all week, and were able to make good speed....average kph since last Saturday was over 22 (not bad considering the weight we have on board) we were working hard to get to 20 kph. We stopped at a beautiful `look off`just leaving and what a beautiful scene it was. The river down below and Sugarloaf Park well beyond and on the other side the hills of Quebec along the Gaspe. It got very warm early and we stopped several times to look at the river and to watch some of the salmon fishermen. You would have been impressed Tina. It is a great ride along the Matepedia Valley, and smells ever so fresh. The river is beside us the entire ride. We took several more breaks to refuel, just to take a breather and stretch. The sun is very warm and there is a heat in the air. We do have a head wind which cools us somewhat, but also slows us down. I am counting `discarded `lighters and today I noticed 5 by the road edge. When I was planning this trip, I had ordered a book Quebec regarding the `Route Verte`. This is a route for bikes and sometimes follows the main route, but other times leads away from the busy traffic to side or secondary roads. When we have cycled in Quebec before we noticed the route markers, but when they led away from the main road we were hesitant to take them as we didn`t know where they would take us. The book is great, as all routes are marked on a map, so I can see where we are going. We followed the route today and were quite impressed with the great signage and markings. The route may have been a bit longer, and some of the pavement a bit rougher but we were away from the traffic and it was peaceful with wonderful countryside. We arrived in Amqui around 3:00 NB time and could see the thunder boomer clouds off in the distance. We stopped at a hotel to check out the weather which called for thundershowers overnight and into the morning. We opted not to camp as we didn`t want to pack up wet things in the morning. It is a lovely area to camp, and is definitely warm enough......guess we are wimps. We ventured over to the town park to check out the bridge that we had signed when we came across Canada in 2006; and again when we cycled the Gaspe in 2009 and again today. We took pictures of our signing. Back to the hotel to check in, shower and dig out the laundry and hang around the room with hopes of it drying. Too bad we are on the second floor, and don`t have direct access to the outdoors otherwise we could put the clothes outside to dry. We walked over town to find a grocery store for some supplies for on the road tomorrow and some beer for tonight. I guess you must think we are lushes as we head to the liquor store upon arrival at each spot. We pick up a 6 pack of beer and each enjoy 3 beer daily. My feet are sore from walking in the hot sun. We plan on taking a few beer to the lovely park and sit and enjoy the evening. Today was a longer and a bit more challenging day, but it is a good way to break us in to things to come. My odomoter is reading 692 km for the 7 days. Tomorrow I had planned on trying to make it to Le Bic, but we will see how the day goes and may stop at the 100 km mark in Rimouski.
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