Niagara Falls to Wawa. Wawa in Ukrainian means "hurty place". Prophetic really...Moday, 9 June. Niagara to Sudbury

A planned early start slipped with the temptation of a Canadian breakfast at the hotel, also the internet connection that had been sporadic the day before was up and running. Chores needed time.

Still, we were on the road and bidding a farewell to the Falls before getting lost in the small streets. image

We were given a tip by the hotel waitress who indicated a toll road that circumnavigated the Toronto motorway network. We expect that there will be a bill waiting for us on our return.

The weather forecasts for the area had predictions of hail and tornado storms. The temperature was already in the high 20's C and it was only 7.00 am. Further north, it seemed that the maximum temperature would be about 6 C the same day. Turned out to be a reasonable ride, certainly chilling down a bit as we moved north, but not with the extremes suggested by the weatherman.

We were treated to the sight of a black bear wandering across the road just in front of us. Photos might have been a nice thought, but so was the notion that we might have been an entree.

Our excursion into the center of Sudbury was brief, as it seemed to be home time for many folk and the road quality was quite pot-holed. I ran for cover in a tourist inn. To our delight, it had a laundry room. Hand washing is OK, but really dry clothes are a treat.

Tuesday 10 June. Sudbury to Wawa

So it was with a bit of disappointment that I discovered that the map, continued on the other side, was in a scale half the size of the main side. Bother. It didn't alter the route, just the distance. My,! Ontario is a big province.

In drizzle, we headed out of town looking for elusive signs and nearly being wiped out by a local taking a racing line through the traffic. West the sign said. The rain now coming down steadily. At least riding in England teaches you about rain.
We negotiated about 80 miles, with Natasha getting colder. Are you wearing your heated gloves? Yes. “Are they switched on?” I don't know, “Are they plugged in ?“ I cant remember. “Well it looks like another 50 miles to anywhere that there might be shelter.” There being nowhere to stop other than a not very wide hard shoulder, and with large Kenworth, Petter and Volvo articulated lorries thundering by, well over the posted speed limits it seemed safer to plod on.

The rain eased, and eventually sanctuary found in a Tim Horton's. While Natasha added another layer and attended to her wiring grid, an elderly gent started to ask me about what part of England I was from. “Wiltshire”, I was stationed there in the War he said. .. Blake 's Farm. “ In Cricklade?” Yes that's the one. I was able to tell him that it is now a Nature Reserve, and that there is a memorial to the Canadian regiment stationed there. Small old world.

The rain eased and although we were wearing our waterproofs we kept on. We decided to press on to a place called Wawa. Apparently in Ukrainian it means hurty place.

In bright sunshine, we were tottling along, and wondering what the memorial at the side of the road was about, and were happy that the road was deserted as far as the eye could see. About 100 yards beyond the memorial was a spectacular cataract on a river. Lets get a photo. A U turn was executed,and I thought I would pull onto the hard shoulder.

Oh no it wasn't, it was deep,soft sand and gravel, and over we went. Didn't move forward an inch in that stuff. A newly filled tank meant 30 kg of extra weight toppled us over. I was trapped by my left leg under a lot of BMW. Tasha scrambled out and managed to free my foot. She then took about three steps and fainted,just as two cars pulled over.Thinking they had just missed witnessing an horrendous motorcycle crash, at least three people phoned 911 in various networks.Within moments there were police, fire crews (two,complete with engines) and an ambulance.

Natasha had recovered a little, but wasn't looking too promising.Her left foot was causing some pain, but three handsome paramedics could not find any serious damage. Names, addresses, signatures and a heave up for the bike, and we were back on our way.The one thing Natasha really wanted was a drink of cold water. All that equipment and no cold water!

Oh and what was that memorial? The halfway point of the Trans Canada Higway. So we were over half way! (Just)

I thought we were at the end of our troubles for the day,...But all was not well with the bike. Whenever the brakes were touched, the hazard lights would come on for a while, then they stayed on permanently. After about 20 miles, there was a picnic area that seemed safe enough to stop in.(I don't trust had shoulders any more) I started removing fuses and relays, but they kept on flashing. After a very short while, three other bikers came along. They gallantly decided to escort us into Wawa which was still about 40 miles away.

A motel was located and Natasha was at last able to lie down.I wandered into town to “Canadian Tire” It is not some sort of rest home, but a bit like Halfords, and Kwik Fit combined, Could they help with a BMW motorbike with constantly flashing 4 way indicators. No.So back to the motel, and time to remove all the fuses, one by one. Did that fix it? No.

So it would have to be, remove a battery terminal or endure a dead battery.That meant off with all the tank bag, tank panniers,and the tank itself.Tools ready, seat off, and hey presto. The light show stopped. But I hadn't done anything. A short test ride seems to demonstrate that it has cured itself.

All this on the day I learned that BMW UK have sent a letter to the practice offering their support! Ah well better late than never.

Will we continue? I don't know. Natasha seems to have a great amount of pain and hasn't moved from the bed since we arrived here.The bike hasn't a scratch. I have a bruise or two and a dented pride.

Tomorrow is another day..