Day 7

Still 100km's from our ferry at Channel-Port aux Basques, we were most thankful for the Mini's (RSC) run flat tyres - as the picture clearly shows.

Normally you leave small puncture items in the tyre and drive to where it can be removed and repaired. In this case the 3" hook that punctured our right rear tyre had a large strap of heavy rubber attached to it. As a result it made a hell of a din flinging around inside the wheel arch at 100km/hr so we had no choice but to remove it. However, with run flat tyres and the medium weight we were carrying, we could safely drive 150km's without changing it so long as we slowed to 80km/hr. Aside from feeling a little soft in the rear and not tracking as tightly and precisely as normal, the car felt no different and we  easily got to our destination. 

I've heard of, but never used these tyres before and have been suitably impressed.  As I've said previously, this is not a speed crossing of Canada, so ultimate performance is not imperative, but from a safety (changing a wheel at night) and convenience (changing a wheel in the rain) perspective, run flat tyres are a brilliant option and well worth considering.

Day 6

We're trying to drive as much as possible with the roof down - because kids know how to have fun and they would do this - so sometimes we drive in some slightly inclement weather. In these circumstances a red convertible Mini garners even more attention than normal. But I have to say that to date we've always been exceptionally cosy and I'm not just saying that, I mean it.

One late evening run in Newfoundland saw us sitting in the pocket behind a road train so as to escape being sacked by any rogue moose. (Yeah you can laugh, but two people in Mini convertible don't present much of an obstacle to a 7' Bullwinkle) Despite the low cloud and  drizzle this didn't stop our multi wheeled moose sweeping mate from thundering around sweeping bends, then overtaking when it was straight and he could really put the hammer down. So you can imagine that with us in tow on his slip stream, Newfoundland mist aplenty and darkness, we were in less than perfect roof down conditions. Solution? Crank up the Mini's heated seats, max out its heater to your feet and clad yourself in some icebreaker merino thermal gear. The  result being wind swept toasty exhilaration.

The only extra feature we could use would be a heated steering wheel, something worth getting if you intend to buy a convertible specifically for its intended purpose. As for rain in the cockpit,  even with enough wet stuff to make the auto wipers go to full speed, virtually nothing comes in when you're travelling 90km/hr or more. Of course, if it really pours down, you have to put the roof up of drown. To date we can measure our roof down in 1000's of km's and roof up in a few 100m's.

Day 5

Heading up to North Sydney for the ferry across to Channel-Port aux Basques, we grabbed a coffee at Tim Horton's - as you do on a roady. Whilst there we were slyly advised by some joe quaffing Newfies "ask to be screeched in when we get there." I'm happy to partake in most local customs, especially if it involves varying degrees of inebriation. Earlier this year I spent five days in Ireland over St Patrick's Day and sobriety was definitely not on the list of local customs. Nevertheless, having been "gooned" with a couple of other Canadians in the past, I confess to being just a tad wary of getting "screeched in" with a bunch of ever so sociable Newfoundland Newfies.

On the ferry trip over I was once again caught short of a camera when two little ones took to the floor dancing like no one was watching. Except everyone was watching, but the kids couldn't have cared less -  and why should they, shaking their bacon like a wet dog fresh from the tide.

 

But sometimes what kids say rather than what they do is just as entertaining. I overheard this conversation sitting in a restaurant last night:

Mum - "Well you can do it tonight then?"

Son - "Tonight! Tonight! But I did it on Sunday!"

Mum - "Yes darling, but that was three days ago, you should actually shower everyday."

I can relate to this. As a kid, it was not unheard of for me to go to bed with mud encrusted knees after a day's footballing, cover it all up with long PJ's before getting in and sweeping the larger, chunkier pieces out on to the ground in the morning when they'd chipped off. Now I shower twice a day if able, even three times if it's really hot. Boys will be boys.