The Grande Finale

We started packing in earnest on Tuesday afternoon. Pack pack pack pack pack. You get the picture.We were mostly packed by Thursday evening. Except the things we were still using. We unpacked the household furnishings that came with the place on Thursday so we could use those and pack our own.
Filled up with gas and windshield juice and checked all fluids on Thursday night.
Friday morning Peter (no longer Studyboy) started putting things in the truck, while I did last minute errands like buying road food and returning the cable modem. We decided to buy walkie talkies for the road trip so we would know when and where to stop. Very useful (and fun.) Friday afternoon Peter packed the car and I cleaned the house until about 9pm.
Neither of us slept well Friday night. The bed was picked up Friday afternoon by the moving company so we were on the blow-up camping mattress, on the floor. Plus we were concerned that someone would break into the vehicles to steal our stuff. At this point I think Peter wouldn't have minded losing anything, as there were still last minute items to go in and no room to put them. (Also, too excited/freaked out to sleep)
Saturday morning up at 6am to leave at 7am. Our plan was to hit a Tim's at Churchill Square for coffee (coffee maker packed) and a breakfast thing, then go straight up Alandale Road to the TCH. Tim's at Churchill Square is not open at 6:45am. Used the walkie talkies to make new plan, BONUS! Alternate plan: there is a Tim's on Portugal Cove Road just beside the TCH.
One the TCH heading east by 7:10. Windy, wet, dark and 16 degrees. The first 90 minutes we are both a little freaked out, because we realize that neither of us has driven on a highway for 17 months. The road is up and down and up and down ( I mean really steep) and curvy and the wind keeps trying to blow us sideways.
We hit Clarenville about 9am. Both of us are calmer now. First pit stop for a pee and a tea. Grey skies but less wind.
Next stop Gander. More pee, more tea.
Got lost in Grand Fall Windsor looking for a rest stop, so just kept on to Badger for a fill up. It was after noon but decided not to eat, just kept going and eating road food. Temperature dropped to zero degrees and we got some snow flurries.
Thought we'd stop in Corner Brook next, but the sign said 4 exits and I only counted 3 and then Corner Brook was gone, so we thought maybe Stephenville. But Stephenville is miles from the highway so we kept on to Stephenville Crossing. Which is also miles from the highway. It was about 4:30 and getting dark, so we stopped for dinner at a little gas station diner.
Back on the road for the last leg in the dark. There was very little traffic and it felt like you were driving to the end of the earth. No Wreckhouse winds to fear and we arrived in Port Aux Basques about 7pm.
Was the drive pretty? If by pretty you mean in a barren, rocky unforgiving godforsaken kind of way... I'm not sure, it was foggy.
The ferries had been backed up all week due to wind and a broken ramp, and we were plenty early for our scheduled sailing time of 11:30pm. There was a restricted sailing due to leave at 9:30 which we thought we might get on, but no joy. The 11:30 ferry was delayed departing until 3am. The wait was long and uncomfortable. We stayed in the terminal until about 12:30, but then hoping the boat would depart early (ha) we went to the vehicles. The wait was worse because we couldn't wait together. No room in either vehicle for more than the driver.
Peter in the truck. Me in the car. Good thing we bought those walkie talkies!
Finally we boarded, and found our cabin. Proper sleep at last!
The ferry docked in North Sydney at 11am, and we stopped for our third tank of gas just off the boat. Gas is 10 cents a litre cheaper on this side of the gulf. Yay!
This side, Peter was lead dog. There was this strange ball of fire in the sky all the way home that we hadn't seen for weeks. Clear road and -3 all they way. Travelling behind the truck means I could see just how splayed out the back wheels were from the weight. Somewhere in Cape Breton.

A mere five and a half hours later and we were home.

The alternative title to this post could be Ka-Ching!
How expensive it is to move you ask? Here are some numbers.
Drive 2 vehicles 1400 kms in 2 days. Equals 4.5 fillups. $250
2 Ferry passes and 1 cabin with 4 berths. $400
1 bed shipped. $200
1 new water tank. $1500. (but it is a really nice one)
1 empty oil tank $350
1 new septic pump (maybe) $?
1 Cable Modem hookup and cable reconnection fee $100
1 power reconnection fee $22
Replacing the food tossed out or given away $200
Finally being home - Priceless.