Port Hope Simpson

I have seen no mosquitoes at all in Labrador. That's the good news. The bad, very bad, news is that black flies have fully occupied that ecological niche. They get in the plane too, just like mosquitoes. After the engine starts, mosquitoes will huddle harmlessly at the bottom of the dash. Black flies continue to buzz and feast. The back of my neck feels like an itchy bunch of grapes.

The hotel drove me back to the airport with my full gas cans. They will do that tomorrow too. Yay.

The hotel is somewhat unique in my travels. They have a restaurant which is open fron 6 am til 10 pm (Greco pizza is on the menu), there is a gas pump, and a supermarket. In addition to a diner type menu, they also do a good job on non fast fare such as grilled salmon or cod.The supermarket, also open til 10, sells liquor.

The weather looks reasonable tomorrow for the trip back. Instead of crossing south at Anticosti island, I would prefer to go along the coast more and cross at Matane. After that it is almost due south back to Weyman. Have not decided yet where and how often to stop. Could do a couple of 3 plus hour legs, stopping at Havre St Pierre, across the western tip of Anticosti. Or I could wimp out and stop at Natashquan and Sept Iles for shorter legs.

Photo is of another hotel guest leaving for work the following morning.Read more