Thursday, June 20,2019

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 – Winnipeg

The Ceilidh does it to us again. Fueling up at the Red River Co-op we chat with the full service crew, who seemed slightly impressed that we’re driving this old 1979 RV cross country. Jump back in to the cockpit, fire up engines….fire up engines….damn! Once again no starter.  Grrrrr.  Sven’s off to an auto parts distributer to get, well, some auto parts.  I’m on the phone to the CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) to arrange a tow to the nearest certified mechanic.  While giving vehicle data I try the key yet again and presto, the temperamental Ceilidh grants us ignition.  I head off for Pavel’s, Sven has joined Larry and crew to get to the parts palace and arrives at Pavel’s some time after I do.

Pavel and Elzbeata have two beautiful children, a boy, Konrad and a girl, Amelia. Both kids are excited, in their own way, with such interesting strangers in their house. I love seeing well adjusted children and these two are most lovely.

Then begin the many tales of work at the Pacific grain elevator where Pavel and Sven both worked. We have a feast laid out before us and continue the tall tales over drumsticks, breaded pike (caught by Pavel), a giant salad and my favourite, pickled local mushrooms. Delicious! Before long it’s midnight and folks head off to bed.

In the morning (20^th) we have the house to ourselves and I get to enjoy a nice long shower and some down time before tackling the redoubtable Ceilidh. This time we pull the engine cover, drop the starting motor, and change 6 of the 8 spark plugs. It takes hours. The plugs are nearly inaccessible, the remaining 2 are inaccessible! The starter solenoid is hot-wired to a spring button installed under the hood. No more will be unable to start the shy Ceilidh! New PCV, new air filter. Spray the carburetor linkage, spray carb cleaner into the warmed-up engine, install new automatic transmission ignition lock-out…and a few other mundane car fixing things.  OK. I think we can head out tomorrow. We’re hoping for much better mileage. I personally don’t think it will improve much but if it does, bonus. 😊  Tonight we’ll BBQ hamburgers for the whole gang.

Another shot of the Assiniboine River