Friday 28th August
The reservable ferry spots for today are all taken, so we have a day in the park.
Last time we were here Carol was not up to hiking and I had a recovering knee. Not this time. We’re both in shape to complete the trail I had already walked.
Found these strange berries and was going to ask a local what they were but forgot.
The trail ends up at the ocean where there is a typical Newfoundland barrier between the ocean and an inner ‘lake’.
Saturday 29th August
A short run to the ferry terminal, breakfast in the parking lot and then 6 hours back to “Canada”.
Close to Sydney is Boularderie Island where our good friend Sarah’s (Richard H’s wife) ashes are buried. We couldn’t come to Cape Breton without visiting the grave.
She’s buried next to her parents in a beautiful setting.
Another pleasant place to spend eternity.
We had an overnight in a campsite near Baddeck which was swarming with people and didn’t really have a whole lot to recommend it to people with no kids in tow.
Sunday 30th August
In one shot we are back to Carol’s sister and husband’s place in Quispamsis NB.
Monday 31st August
Loading Windows 10 - not a seamless procedure.
Tuesday 1st September
Buddy gave us a sleepless night, coughing and obviously in distress, so it’s off to the vet first thing. As suspected, his heart murmur getting that much worse making it time to start him on heart medication (ad a diuretic, to boot).
Wednesday 2nd September
It’s a long time since we walked round the Irving Nature Park
The trail follows the shore all around the edge, a good hike with lots of ups and downs. Here’s a Group of Seven inspiration.
Thursday 3rd September
Jean is off to the UK for 15 days and Tim is driving her to Halifax airport so we’re left to our own devices. Jean’s friend Carolyn is over to look after Harlow (Jean and Tim’s adopted dog) and watch Jean’s TV so we head off to the movies: Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation - Enjoyable nonsense.
Friday 4th September
Off to Teddy (Jean and Tim’s son) and Kim’s in Moncton.
Saturday 5th September
Teddy and son Nathan are joining us for Labour Day weekend camping in Kouchibouguac National Park up the New Brunswick coast near Miramichi.
Here are father son doing that father and young son thing on the beach.
A popular spot with a never ending beach
Sunday 6th September
Happy campers
Richard McConnell’s place in Bay de Vin, that we’ve visited more than once, is not far away and he came with his grandson, Zach, for a day with the campers and another trip to the beach.
As you can see, Zach has the divil in him. Two young boys together is more than double trouble.
Monday (Labour Day) 7th September
Camping weekend over so it’s all packup and go, call in at Teddy and Kim’s to say goodbye to Kim and then back to Quispamsis.
Movie at the movies: ‘Holmes’ - split decision but I thought it was a lovely little movie (Carol not so much – a little of “Gandalf” goes a long way.)
Wednesday 9th September
A last trip round Irving Nature Park.
I took lots of shots put couldn’t get one with all heads poking through the holes.
Time to head west, so after much packing we’re on the road. Couldn’t resist stopping for lunch outside this museum
I actually walked around inside. Just as fascinating as you would think.
St Basile Camping
Friday 11th September
Lunch stop at La Pocatiere with a view of mountains across the St. Lawrence.
Arrive at John and Rejeanne’s in St.Jean Chrysotome
Saturday 12th September
Movie of the day: John Wick - rather violent but Keannu’s generally watchable.
Sunday 13th September
Hardware store shopping with John
Another visit to Crevettes Plus that wasn’t up to the usual standard.
Movie of the day: 47 Ronin Sukiyaki Samurai Western - what the hell was that about?
Monday 14th September
Movie of the day: The Passenger - High expectations, big disappointment.
1/2 Movie of the Day: Enemy - reserve judgement for second half.
Tuesday 15th September
Down in Florida, Bob and Maxine used to own Sea Fox. They sold the boat, bought a big Class A RV and seem to travel full-time from their home in B.C. Coming back from out east, they stopped by for a visit.
Movie of the Day: 2nd half of Enemy - forgettable.
Wednesday 16th September
Onwards via Montreal to pick up the Subaru and a few things from Ken and Cheryl’s and then on to Dennis and Madeleine's in Orleans.
Thursday 17th September
Bought a tablet with a big screen and good battery life.
Then on Richard Hayward’s.
Friday 18th September
Abortive attempts to get my new tablet to connect to my Google account.
Saturday 19th September
Back to Factory Direct with my tablet and get one that works followed by a trip to Robert and Shirley Datars.
Sunday 20th September
When I left Factory Direct by mistake I took the tablet home with me that didn’t work, so it’s back there to pick up the correct one.
Monday 21st September
Off to Fifth Depot Lake and Sandy and Ellen’s
Movie of the day: Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - as good as the first.
Tuesday 22nd September
Carol and I took a walk down the lane to the road and some curious cattle.
On the walk through the woods Carol wondered if there were any bears around and I assure her they would keep away from the laneway.
Sandy and I did some carpentry.
Movie of the day: Inside Llewen Davis - Not the Coens’ best.
Wednesday 23rd September
Carol and Ellen went with Debbie (good neighbour) to Westport for a shopping trip.
More carpentry.
Movie of the Day: The East - Well meaning I guess.
Thursday 24th September
Helping Sandy and Ellen move firewood logs up near the road. As I walked back to the house alone, what should I meet trotting towards me on the path but ... a bear! I THINK he was more scared of me than I was of him.
Movie of the day: The Counsellor - Rather excessively violent, but good.
Friday 25th September
With borrowed solar panel onboard, it’s off to an outdoor 3-day concert - Neat In the Woods.
We had reservation #1, not that that did us much good. It was tough to find a level spot and the organization of the RV parking was well, shall we say sketchy.
Here we are early in the game. Now you see us.
Now you don’t.
Watched Mr and Sister and Terry Tufts acoustic performers.
Saturday 26th September
Awake at 2:30 with people talking and playing bongos and guitar, I guess this will be the norm.
Carol crosswording while Buddy looks on.
Standout performers: Ben Caplan and Casual Smokers
Richard and Cheryl arrived for just the day.
Wine outside the camper with live music playing - hard to beat.
Two bands were on our list to watch: Monkey Junk with Tony D - outstanding.
For me though, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings rule.
The headliners The Trews did nothing for any of us.
Sunday 27th September
After chatting to would-be RVers and sailors we headed to Richard’s to pick up the Subaru and then drove the camper to Rideau Heights Campsite.
After much needed showers it was over to Leitrim storage to connect the batteries and fire up the fridge in the fifth wheel.
Then a visit for supper to Nancy Cornforth’s where we watched the lunar eclipse. Unfortunately the pic came out neither eclipsed-looking nor red.
Monday 28th September
Over to Leitrim with the camper for the ‘orrible process of moving from one living space to another.
Detach the camper and attach the fifth wheel and back to Rideau Heights with that.
