This was to be a long day.

We left Margaree Harbour on a gorgeous morning (Lord knows we deserved it) for a scenic drive across western Cape Breton Island, up along Lake Ainslie and down to the western end of Bras d'Or through the Isle Madame area where French replaces gaelic on bilingual road signs. This was a new experience for us both: very pleasant communities.

We had the usual wait at the causeway (where 100 vehicles line up to allow two boats to pass) and turned left near Monastery for the pretty little drive down to Guysborough - just a charming town.

Still in sunny Cape Breton thus morning: fingers crossed.

Departed Ben Eoin Campground after a great breakfast on the deck overlooking the mirror flat Bras d'Or Lakes; pretty magical.

The MV Atlantic Vision docked in North Sydney right on time on a beautiful morning with an encouraging weather forecast (that we surely deserved after four and a half days of sunshine in 19 on the road).

Moving dogs and kennels and personal on-board items down seven decks was a bit if a chore, but the crew were very helpful - and the dogs noticeably thankful after 15 hours penned up.