Day 139 - Elie

There were two other travellers in my room. Angela from the States visiting friends and Dunja from Switzerland also visiting friends. It was interesting to hear about their journeys. I tried to be quiet when I got up. I went downstairs for breakfast and when I came back they were both awake. I left the hostel and headed down Portage Ave.

Last night I had done my laundry at a local laundramat. I must have went to the wrong one cause this one had some pretty rough characters in and out of the building. After I put my clothes in the wash I went to grab some snacks and the guy at the cashier was talking about some problems they had with robberies. I couldn't wait for my laundry to be done and get out of there. But while I was there I found the names of two animal rescue shelters that were on Portage Ave. I would stop on my way out.

I reached Darcy's A.R.C (animal rescue centre) first. I thought that was such a great name for a shelter. Unfortunately he wasn't there but I met Darlene, Karen and Brenda. Darlene gave me a tour and took some pictures. In five years they have managed to save 5,000 abandoned animals. Truly a success story. A little further down the road I stopped in at the Winnipeg Animal Rescue shelter and met Kim. I was glad I was able to meet them before I left Winnipeg.

I got about ten miles past Winnipeg and the winds started to pick up. There were alot of fields and flat roads. twenty-seven miles got me to Elie, just a little town off the highway. There was nothing there except a gas station/restaurant. They told me about a B & B just over the tracks and near the church called L'Auberge Clemence. I thought I'd check it out and I'm glad I did. I met the owners Linda and Jean who converted an old convent into a B&B. Two of the most wonderful people you will ever meet. They did an amazing job and as soon as you walked in you could sense the history and felt like you'd never want to leave. There was so much personality it was hard to believe this little town had such a historical place. I listened to Linda tell me their story with such awe. Both Linda and Jean are animal lovers. Linda told me how Jean had even helped a rat cross a street one time. But the story of their cat and dog is remarkable. Their cats name is Wobbles and their dogs name is Naddy. When Wobbles was a kitten she was attacked by a tomcat and her back legs were paralized. She was a mess and wasn't expected to live. Naddy nursed Wobbles for over a month, nudging her to get up and walk. After about a month she finally walked. She gets her name cause she wobbles when she walks. The dog and cat have been sleeping together ever since. I couldn't believe it. Linda and Jean fed me and gave me a bed and didn't ask for a penny. They even offered to let me stay another day if I needed it. Every day I am amazed at peoples kindness and generosity.