GO SYSTEM

Yesterday I used the GO system to get to Toronto. It's comfortable, reliable and a cheap way for seniors to get around. My appointment was for 11:15 a.m. at the Princes Margaret Hospital and it
meant leaving Bancroft at 5 a.m. I could have left at 6 but that would get me into Union Station at 10:40 and then I would still have a 30 minute walk to the hospital.

At 6:50 I boarded the bus in Peterborough to begin my journey. They use double decker buses and we reached Oshawa by 7:55. You have a great view of the countryside from the upper deck and there were lots of seats to choose from.

From Oshawa to Toronto we boarded a train for the one hour ride. It too uses double decker cars and the train was on time. Total cost for the ride from Peterborough to Toronto was $10.75 for seniors.

We arrived at Union Station at 8:55 right on time which gave me lots of time to relax before my 11:10 appointment. It had been a while since I was in Toronto so I enjoyed the views on a perfectly fine summer day.

Stepping outside one is greeted by the Royal York Hotel an iconic landmark which dominated the landscape when I was a kid but has since disappeared in a sea of modern office buildings and condos.

Looking west another landmark greets the visitor the CN tower built way back in 1976. Go to the top for a great view of the Toronto skyline as well as having a meal on top of the city. Today you could see Buffalo across Lake Ontario.

Appointment over and heading home we passed through another venerable city landmark the "Distillery District" It too is undergoing major rejuvenation as they no longer brew whisky here. This was designated a World Heritage site in 1988 so well worth a visit next time you are in Toronto.

Today will be a stay at home day as I need to split more wood for winter. Hard to believe we are thinking winter in the middle of summer.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.

DRIVE HOME

Once we left St Andrews, Owen knew we had a few long days in the truck. The roads through New Brunswick were good and the traffic was light. Mary had an activity box full of games and crafts for Owen. We also passed the miles, drawing pictures and singing camp songs. He never complained about the long drive.

Our first night the camp had a pool and that's where we cooled off.

After the pool it was time for some activity and jumping off the truck was fun. We didn't even unhitch just parked and camped ready to pull out right after breakfast.

The second night it was Owen's favorite supper; macaroni and cheese. We were just inside Ontario, 45 minutes from the airport in Montreal.

This park had a beach and Owen did a little dance to stretch his legs before getting wet. We didn't plan to swim but when it's hot and the water is cool who can resist?

Look who showed up after supper!!! Sean called and was in Montreal to pick up a van and trailer and since we were so close he came for a visit. We re-arranged our sleeping so he could stay the night and Owen was delighted to have some "lap" time with his uncle.

The next morning it was a quick breakfast, eggs and coffee, and then back on the road. This would be a short day, just six hours and then we were home. The perfect way to end a great holiday with an unexpected visit and breakfast together.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for keeping an eye on us.

WHALE WATCHING PART TWO

Another feature we liked on this tour was the "touch tank" where the little pirates learned about small sea creatures and actually got a chance to hold them. Here Owen holds a "star fish" which has the unique ability to reproduce its limbs as long as part of the center portion is alive.

The marine biologist also passed around a sample of the baleen from a Finback whale and explained how the whale takes in large amounts of water which it then squeezes through the baleen which acts like a sieve and traps any fish or krill for the whale to eat.

After the touch tank was put away each little pirate got a chance to steer the ship. Owen was first and kept us on course and off the rocks as instructed. (the real captain was always within arm's reach)

The ride back to port was cold so Owen and his new friend went  below and enjoyed more crafts in the warmth of the hold.

On deck,  Mary was enjoying another cup of soup.

With the sun setting and our sails full we headed for port having done and learned so much more than simply watching the whales dive. Another memory we will cherish forever.

We all slept soundly that night knowing that tomorrow we would be heading home. Still unknown to us the best surprise awaited.

WHALE WATCHING

We booked the evening whale tour and boarded our tall ship at 4:30 pm after first getting the necessary pirate gear for Owen.

He was ready to play the part and search for treasures.

These were two of the marine biologists on board who were very helpful, informative and just great with the kids.

First job was face painting and every pirate needs a few scars on his face.

Searching for enemy pirates or whales close to the boat.

It didn't take long to find them. We were soon spotting Finback whales (second largest species on earth) and Minke whales as we sailed out into the mouth of Fundy Bay. We drifted for a while watching and listening to these magnificent creatures break the surface and breath before diving again. Owen was delighted to be so close to actually hear them breath.

The evening was cool but Owen soon had a friend to share a cup of soup with. A new friend makes any trip better.

Part Two Tomorrow

St. Andrews by the Sea

St. Andrews New Brunswick is a hidden gem often overlooked for the more popular Fundy tourist destinations. It's a gem well worth a visit. Its main street is narrow and lined with period buildings reminiscent of coastal villages long ago.  The atmosphere alone feels coastal and the smells remind you of days lying by the ocean soaking up the sunshine.

The harbour was our destination today as we needed Owen to see how big and safe the tour boats are.

There are lots of tours to chose from but we selected the tall ship tour as it seemed to offer more for young children.

As you can see it was low tide when we arrived

The tour boats were still out but we could walk the floating dock and read the information panels along the way.

There were some small boats tied to the wharf and these guys struggling with the sail asked me if they were doing it right. I replied, "As long as the boat isn't sinking you are fine". Why ask me? Do I look like a sailor?

After walking the harbour we headed through town and back to camp. Lots of quaint streets lined with beautiful stately homes, many turned into B&Bs.

Back at camp it was time to enjoy the pool before supper. Then back to town for ice-cream. Yes, Owen likes Ice-cream and we couldn't let him eat alone. No pictures, too busy enjoying bubblegum ice-cream.

Tomorrow we sail the tall ship and search for whales and pirate treasures. Another fun day and Owen couldn't wait for tomorrow to come.

TIME TO MOVE

Our time at Fundy passed much too quickly and it was soon time to move. Owen had made new friends during our stay and he was sad to be moving on. We assured him that new friends were waiting just down the road.

Packing takes just a few minutes and then we were headed further east and south to St. Andrews by the Sea, an area of New Brunswick I had never explored.

We lucked out and got a site right on the beach and this was our morning view while Mary had coffee in bed.

Owen loved it too as he could sit on the rocks and watch the tide roll in. Of course he got wet but that's part of the fun of camping by the ocean.

These guys went by every day, not for fish but for seaweed. We had a chance to chat and learned how seaweed was collected, dried,  stored, transported and used in products from toothpaste to fertilizer. These guys collect from May to October and have been harvesting seaweed for twenty years. They ship to over 80 countries. It's a vital industry to the local economy.

St. Andrews turned out to be a hidden gem and we will show you why tomorrow.

ROCKY BEACH

Not every beach we visited was sandy. Many like this were rocky and rugged but that didn't bother Owen any.

He was content to spend the afternoon searching for the perfect rock to throw.

They spent their time, walking, searching and tossing every rock that caught their eye. I enjoyed the photography and sound of the waves rolling in.

Total happiness and not a care in the world. Oh, the freedom of being seven. Grand-children are such a blessing.

FUNDY BUNS

My first visit to Fundy was back in 67 and I remember this bakery was famous then for its buns.

I had to make sure Owen had a chance to sample their buns and decide if they were worth the trip.

I think that smile tells it all.

Now if Owen returns with his family when he is 55, then that would make it 100 years since grandpa enjoyed his first Fundy sticky bun.  One hundred years doesn't seem that long when you think of it like that.

Fundy sticky buns, our one weakness on this trip.