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Our journey from Barrow to Vancouver : 1 800 miles = approximately 2 900
km
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Tell me, XL, you’re sick or what ? You’re not
saying anything… it’s amazing !
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Well no, Ulla, the weather
is depressing ; it’s raining, it’s getting darker and darker, it’s as if
we were in Prudhoe Bay at 3 p.m. …
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I’m really sick of all this, and missing
the Southern sunshine so much … !
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XL, my tiny fellow, please don’t look at the
compass on the dashboard,
I don’t want to see you cry…
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As they’re headed North-East “Really crazy,
they are”
If I’ve understood things right, we’re headed
for the city of Tok, located near the Canadian border…
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I heard the Gallic say so, imagine he wants
to go on the road leading to the top of the world...
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“Just craziness”
I’m going to freeze again
at this altitude and my ears will plug up…
XL, you’re a Quebecer, but
I’m a Saint-Martiner, I don’t feel like freezing.
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Tell me, Ulla, you’re the leading dog now
?
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Shut up, XL, I think you’re showing off a
little too often… !
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Hush !! Oh ! Look what’s this house lost in the middle of the mountains ?
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You think it's Indians?
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No, it’s the customs check-point on the
Alaska – Canada (Yukon) border
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That thing there … that’s
the customs check-point ??
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Oh that’s the last drop, after the
customs we’re going to the Police Station… did you see that, Ulla… ?
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Humm mm !!! We’re finally going to eat, I
love chicken
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No, I’m kidding you, the village is
called “Chicken” ; there’s no KFC here !
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Damn… I’m hungry...
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Ohhhh Ulla, cows are strange here? Why?
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Good, luckily, we’re not stopping, great…
!
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Oh, shut up…XL.. but look up there,
you’re going to dive under the seat once you see what I’m seeing as
eagles like to eat little creatures like you…
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Oh la la !! Dear me, and on top of that,
you’re telling me we’re going to go on board a ship… My heart is already
beating 300 strokes a minute. Tell me, do you think it’s strong enough to
carry our little team over the river… ?
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Really, people don’t know how to make
sound bridges here…
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I’m not too sure this little boat is
worthy…
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But of course it is, XL, courage my friend,
it’s not because you weigh 2 ½ lbs wet and I, 80_lbs…
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Yes, but Ulla, the equipment weighs at
least 6 metric tons !
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Yes, I know, but they’re used to carrying
heavy lorries ;
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…Dawson City ferry….
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Wow.. I’m reassured. We’ve
finally reached Dawson
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Ho ! Ulla, I’m so excited !!! Do you remember why ??
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Yes, they’re going to go to the Tourist Info. Service learn a little more
on this place and we’ll follow them without a peep as the Gold Diggers’
Championship is on now… Fantastic.. !
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Super ! We’re going to enlist and I’ll
find the biggest gold nugget !
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You’re really dreaming ! I’m the one, just
like in the old gold-digging days ; it’s the most courageous guy who wins
the prize. Moreover, it’s said 24 nations are expected to take part in
the dig so no one’s expecting “Mr XL”… !
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OK, OK, well for now, we must leave for
Inuvik and we’ve got 700 kms (434.78 miles) to go on a trail like the
time we went to Prudhoe Bay”. Crazy people, these two, they’re
masochists; they want to find the Arctic Circle to see Inuit villages and
finally true Eskimos…
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I know the Gypsy ; she’s gotten it into
her head to better discover the animal life in its natural habitat and
the Gallic wants to see how Eskimos live by minus 80 degrees in winter..
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Ulla, Ulla ! Wake up ! Look where we’re
going to spend the night… There’s a river and you should fish trout and
salmon for our companions.. It would be nice for them… A great fishing
time and a great day… but we must leave. You can sleep, you earned it…
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Look, Ulla, we’ve reached the North-West
territory, the second Canadian province we’re going through. Do you
realize we still have 5 provinces to cross before we reach Montreal ?
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It’s 9 a.m. ; we left early, all that to
be in the fog with the elks…
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Ulla, Ulla, I’m scared… I feel we have a
big problem…
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The Gallic is saying we have no
brakes… nor any steering and that the car’s temperature is rising… do you
think we’re going to die ? There’s no one here… and on top of that, we’re
going down… Farewell Ulla, I loved you well…
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Don’t panic, XL, the engine
is turning and I’m sure he’s going to be able to stop ; there… !
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These trees and the elks
further off… I’m scared stiff… !
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Don’t worry, XL, we’re not going to die from
cold or hunger, Our two companions are going to
find a solution to this
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There, there, Ulla, a car is stopping,
please, don’t bark, don’t scare them away, they probably want to give us
a helping hand… moreover, they’re Quebecers (like me) who speak French…
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Hush up and let me listen.. these two
gents look pleasant. Yess !! I’ve understood that they’re going to lead
us to the nearest village which is… 98 kms away.. to phone since our Fido
(Canada/USA) phone subscription is not going through anywhere but in
Quebec province and the large Canadian cities : a real mess !
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Yes, they’re going to call that CAA
(Canadian Car Assistance) as our Gallic had subscribed a contract just
before we left for our expedition, what luck, we’re saved !
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I’ve ALSO understood, that with your
nasty nature, dear Ulla, we’re both going to stay in the car !!
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All alone with the elk… and
for how long ?
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It’s not that bad, XL, I’m here to
protect you and keep the equipment safe !!
It’s my job.
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XL I’ve got a super idea that’s just
coming up at the right time since we’re all alone : We’re going to brush
up on our puppet show !
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Ah, right ! We must get ready for when we
reach Inuvik, and over there, there must be children, I hope, not like in
Prudhoe Bay. OK, I’m listening, Ulla.
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OK, well, Ulla, remember we’re stuck
indoors and we won’t get out until the end of the show ; so, I come in
front of the window (the stage) of the four-wheeler with my fishing rod
and I’m sad since I didn’t catch any fish in my bucket, there are pieces
of plastic since the river is polluted and all the fish are dead… it’s
really too serious !
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You, XL, you come on stage with your
frying pan to cook the fish and you see my discouragement, so to cheer me
up, you decide to go look for sweets and ice cream at the super market
but after a few miserable minutes, you’re still not back, so all the kids
and I call out for you with all our strength… then you come back but in a
pitiful state as you got stuck, and covered with car draining oil as you
tried to pee on the road against a tree but you slipped on an oil slick…
Thank goodness the squirrels rescued you..
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Yes, but Ulla, you know there’s something
more serious yet than me !! It’s the tree that’s dying now and we must go
get it to heal it and bring it back to health even if the next door
neighbours are making fun of us…
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Let’s do our duty first and heal this
tree who drank this car draining oil through its roots..
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Then we’ll ask Inspector Gadgeot to look
for the offender and have him eat this sticky black thing and believe me,
the kids watching our show are all for it.
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Tell me, Ulla, how long will the show
last ?
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Around 20 minutes so as not to tire the kids, then we finish off with our
“Mother Nature” song
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OK, let’s take up our rehearsal before the Gallic and the Gypsy get back
here…
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Ulla, it’s been 3 hours since they left. I hope they won’t abandon us
here and I want to pee now…
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Don’t say any nonsense of that kind..
So, we’re off and see you next week to those who are reading our
adventures.
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A few big licks to one and all
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Ulla, Ulla, wake up, they’re
back (with the people we don’t know who are helping us out) but, did you
see ? The Gallic and the Gypsy still have their usual smiles.. even in
the soup…
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You see, they’re really very
nice guys in Canada, so our masters are proposing they eat a bite as these
guys must be on their way, and as for us ?? |
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Hush.. I’m listening… “Thanks for your kindness,
René and François”, “So good luck : Be patient, CAA is sending a
tow-truck from Inuvik”
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Well, XL, I’m dreaming we still have 350 km (217 miles) to go… It’s going
to be LONG !...
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All right, it’s true, but be patient, it’s better than
staying here… Protect us from wild creatures as there are often wolves
around here … !
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OK, OK, you, XL, be quiet and track…
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Ah ! There, that’s it… I see the tow-truck coming over… great…!
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Oh, dear me !!
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Oh, no, it can’t be true : what now ?
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Oh, so you want to know what’s going on ? Well, they can’t tow the
truck so I must be the one staying alone in the house !
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Of course not, Ulla, listen to them, before you start being
pessimistic
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I’m hearing that you’re going to stay in the car but… without
wanting to and for once, you won’t be able to sleep… !
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On the other hand, it’s great, you’re going to think you’re on a
merry-go-round in the opposite direction and you’re « stark raving mad »
when you want to be ; promise me to tell me about this extraordinary
trip.. !! Ha, ha !..
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See you later, they put on the alarm in the Feet Wheel… see you in a
while…
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On my word as XL, good grief… we’ve never run on a rocky road… this
driver is totally mad.. I would’ve thought he was Romain, the Gallic’s
son… he’s explaining that we have two ferries to take so as not to be
blocked and the first one stops running at midnight and the second one
which is 30 kms off from here stops at half past midnight, so we’re
running at over 90km per hour on a rocky trail, and I’m.. I prefer to
close my eyes and dive into the Gypsy’s arms… while Ulla
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Guess at what time we arrived ? …at 3 a.m… but what’s strange is
that we saw the sun set and.. one hour later, it rose.. ! Yes, yes..
honestly, this country’s bizarre, on the world’s eyebrows ; it doesn’t
like night time or… the sun likes the earth too much.. !
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So… we’re now a Saturday evening or morning, I don’t know any more..
At the garage… in its parking lot… with a rental car.. heading for a
hotel.. What a day.. !
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So, are you OK, Ulla ?
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Apart from the fact I’m totally covered by bits of glass since an
angry rock came to aggress me in the car, and that my stomach is in
smithereens, and I’m not hungry at all.. I’m OK, yes
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It’s going to be all right, as usual they’re spotting the emergency
exit and you can go in.. into the bedroom…OK ?
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As sleeping in the car by 3 degrees at night is not nice.. actually,
we should speak of this to the hotel director…. !
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Finally, a well-earned rest…
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So, after this good night’s rest… And as we’re obliged to wait for
the belt and the pulley which will only get here Tuesday since at Inuvik
there is no Dodge dealer.. we’re going to visit this small town located
on the 69th parallel in the Far North
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Well… we’re back in the hotel room and same scenario to get back
into the bedroom.
You know, Ulla, I’m missing nature.. !
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Me too, XL, I like to see lakes, mountains, rivers, flowers… Here all
you see are rooves, even the owl is making fun of us.. it’s going to be
good to be in our house again,
unless it’s been plundered.. but we were told that people in the North
West territory are not very rich but very respectful of other people’s
property.. good for that as I have a bone hidden under the rug.. !
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Ulla, I’m sure nothing’s happened and that all is fine ; do you want
to know why ?
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Yes, as I like travelling too much and we’ll go our 50.000 kms down
to Ushuaia..
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Tell me, XL, I just learned our two companions have decided to leave
to go see a village still located at the root of the world’s hair, to see
Eskimos but you won’t be glad to hear that we’re not part of the trip as
they’re going to use a small plane, so we’ll wait for their return in the
renntal car… !
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Oh, look Ulla, there’s that long centipede that’s been following us
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XL, it’s not a pipeline, here, they’ve created their sewer system
above the ground ; it’s not underground as the extreme temperatures would
freeze it up.
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Departure for the village of Tuktoyaktuk which is the end of the Canadian earth.
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…a bird’s eye view from the plane of the end of the land…
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…..it’s 7 degrees here…
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…this boat was inhabited for 25 years by a French priest… the
village priest..
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…coming back from the fishing outing…
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It’s a pity for the both of us, we’re only looking at the
photographs.. this village is pleasant.. ! As they don’t yet know what
globalization is..
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Well, our belt and pulley have arrived ; it’s great ! We’re going to
be back in our house except if the highway robbers… huh, excuse-me, the
rocky trail robbers (it’s the only road).. have visited our wheeled snail-buggy..
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After a very sporty drive by the Gallic helped in his navigation by
an efficient Gypsy, as usual with gravel on the road, and a flat.. on top
of that… but the roadways workers are super ; they’re stopping right now and want to help us
repair.. What respect for people using their roads.. thank you… Some
people could take heed.. !
We’re back in our superb house without any problem (thanks to the
inhabitants of the North-West Territory !)
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We’re binding and we’re heading back South, for Dawson city and that
famous World Gold Diggers Championship.
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XL and I will see you next week…
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As the Gallic has decided to enlist : He’s really crazy, this guy
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A huge set of paw pats to our readers.
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Here we are in Dawson city, the city of running gold…
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XL you think that our Gallic is going to dare to confront it?
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Buff I see him with the equipment of the perfect gold-digger: grubby hat, pipe in the mouth, checked shirt, bandanas with the neck and special plate.
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Where will this take place? Indeed near the river and what are rules?
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Tell me, Ulla it is strange, there is no streamer; I thought that streets were going to be jam-packed.
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Yes, it is a “worldwide championship” and it is definitely this week therefore it is necessary to go around the city go!
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Our companions turned and in full town centre of flags attract them, there is even the flag of Frenchman... neat, and they are going to see compatriots!
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Look, Ulla it seems like there are people training…?
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No… what’s wrong with you XL!
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Yes, look well, they are searching for some gold in tubs to wash the big dogs as new lands and they brought some sand that a tractor shovelled to be brought back of the river and to be deposited(be put down) on this parking!
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"Anything” my poor XL you know the true gold-diggers of heroic epoch have to turn round in their tomb by seeing such show!
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Yes but you know with actual laws, it is enough that an amateur researcher falls in the river, so that the first magistrate of the city goes straight to prison… nobody has been born as a gold-digger!! There are only the lawyers of North America who would make some gold!!!
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When I see this “my ears fell”
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XL, I promise you that if my Gallic looks ridiculous by registering in this masquerade I swear he will make a fool of himself…
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Go, Ulla be cool, I am happy with the head which you make because oufff he does not want to register and especially to leave towards the south;
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Yes, they saved the honour of the pack of hounds, and they will not be displayed in the World championship of the gold-diggers no how!!
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Yes, go towards White horse, the capital of the region of Yukon under way
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Why this city name, Ulla?
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Because the cast iron of snows expresses are so powerful that it resembles a horde of horses in gallop
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As you know things, Ulla, and then look at bottom, it is these bands of colour from the sky?
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XL: It is an arch in sky.
Look! The Indian pulled on the sky with their arch??
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Go, sudden change in the car XL they are leaving!! Ah, how I am stupid, that's true, climb in 4/4, baby of 20 cm
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They leave towards Watson Lake, I sleep and you watch the road, ok? Yes, Ok but do not snore!
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Ulla, quickly Ulla look at this huge thing there... At the side of the road!!!
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What!! I’m dreaming, it is a bear and on top of that my Gallic brakes … no, it is not possible there going out! "Anything”
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Check, Ulla you always sleep and definitely I will too .for once!
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After about 200 km.
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XL standing … you didn’t even here the door open …
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Yes good morning it is because, it is what?
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Poor idiot look at our Gallic and it’s Gypsy.
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What? They went down to see plates of cars which people lost on there way here?
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No, there is a moose who began this expo in the eighties because in 1988 there was 6281 then from that day to today the tourists who stop deposit(put down) a mineralogical plate to mark their passage in Watson Lake and today counts 61398.
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You know Ulla; I find this so original that I tell myself that to St Martin should do something similar, it is necessary to give them our idea!
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Why not? On top of that it would be my imagination and they would call it Xl Park!
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"Anything” you are delirious, were now leaving for British Columbia, and I heard there is a Prince Rupert…
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We are going to see a prince??
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No, it is a city which is called just like that, XL you saw yourself already definitely pouponné, perfumed and on a silk cushion my poor man this is not our trip!!!
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Ulla do not take me for a snob please, it would have been fun to have a Yorkshire bitch "princess" for me there.
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I am also a dog fighter and I heard that the Gypsy says that we are going to take a ferryboat from Prince Rupert and that they are going to sail during 15 hours to arrive on the ile of Victoria faced with Vancouver; and definitely you will not have the opportunity to make fun of me on the quay! Because I see our companions coming back from the counter… lets see!
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Ok, XL you won because I see we are not leaving and you know why?
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Yes I know that during this walk on the ferryboat, you would have been locked up in the car and not me!
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No, Xl I heard that crossing for 2 human beings more our escorts who is 15 metres (45 feet) costs 1500 dollars ca (800 euro) on top of that were not sure to see marine animals due to the fact that it is not even a cruise it is a ferryboat "Anything "
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You see Ulla I knew that there was a good God:
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You no itinerary locked up in the car!!!! It is great.
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Let us resume, breath they leave by the stage road to Vancouver but before, we reserved some photographs of camping coach or trailer either Feet Wheel or short bus of the movable houses they seemed to us so original..
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Until next week .licky you all!!!
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