Back on the road for another trip East. Other than the small issue of the bus going dead on the turn of a key, then after 5 minutes starting up as if everything is fine, and other than it kicking out of fourth gear after driving for a few hours and going up hill, the bus is holding up well. I’m wondering if maybe my starter is going. And hopefully my transmission is NOT going.

I have family in Montreal So I’m headed in that direction. Driving Seamus is like spending many consecutive hours in silence with a best friend. It lulls my mind into a relaxed, stress-free state and makes my belly feel good. I woke up and was on the road by 4:30am. It was dark and quiet and my aim was to get though Toronto before the morning work rush made it less than enjoyable.

Given my three hour perpetual ‘stop and cool off’ time it takes me about 12 hours to drive 800kms in the bus. I never want to over tax it and my driving highway speed is about 60 mph or 95km/h. So I arrived at my aunts house around 4:30pm in Sainte Catherine, QC.

I’m fortunate to have a very knowledgeable father who knows engines and he gave me some pointers and advice while I was visiting and having breakfast. My aunt made me some muffins to take on my journey East and I had a great lunch with my aunt and cousin before heading off the next day after a deep sleep in my aunt’s driveway.

This winter Seamus will get a clear coat over all that rust/patina. Paint it?? No way. Painting this us would be like Audrey Hepburn having plastic surgery, a terrible idea. This bus will age gracefully and with upkeep and health in mind. I want to keep the ‘scars’ of life on him. And… a paint job is WAY too unaffordable. This is a one of a kind bus. Long live Seamus, a running legacy for my three boys to take over one day.