Thoughts as we leave the Maritimes

Last night we battened down the hatches and had the spare anchor ready, preparing for hurricane 'Kyle'. We were getting warnings for about two days on both the radio and TV, as it is five years to the day since hurricane 'Juan' hit the Maritimes, and did so much damage. This is the third named storm in a month, 'Hanna', 'Ike', and now 'Kyle'. The clouds rolled in by mid afternoon and by 7 pm it had started to rain. By midnight we rolled in the slide-out as the wind was catching the awning over it, and felt as though someone was jumping on the slide-out. I did anchor watch and Bill slept though the whole thing. The storm moved further east than expected and southern Nova Scotia, Yarmouth to Halifax felt the worst of it. This morning was a lovely sunny day.

We have enjoyed the Maritimes;

The people, are so polite and friendly. You stop on the side of the road to check the motor home or tow car and someone will stop and ask if they can help you. As a pedestrian you look like you want to cross the road and the traffic, both ways, stops for you to cross. Even in the car, if waiting to enter from a side street or driveway, the traffic will stop and let you in. At the Parasol RV Campground here in Shediac, Bill was having trouble with the WiFi antenna, the owner bought over to 'Dutchess' a cable and modem box for getting up on high speed internet on the cable network. At the supermarket the check out person will greet you in either English or French and immediately switch to which ever language you answer in, as is common with everyone here you talk to.

The land, bays, coves and small cities and villages. Newfoundland was wild and desolate, a huge rock Island, and we never did see a moose this time. Nova Scotia with it's Celtic heritage and seaports and 'Bluenose II'. Prince Edward Island, the red and green island, the land of the Potato, the garden island and last but not least New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy and the 'Bore' with largest tides in the world.

The weather this year has not been the best but the last two weeks has certainly make up for it, and now with the fall colours on the trees, it is really beautiful. We heard today that a couple in Nova Scotia had won the contest for the largest pumpkin, a whooping 594 kgs. Made the large one that Peggy found in a yard in Nova Scotia, tiny in comparison.

And last but not least, The Local Seafood. We have enjoyed lobster, scallop's, prawns, shrimp, haddock and cod. You can buy here in the supermarket a 'seafood chowder mix' of all the above with lots of lobster, scallop's and prawns in the mix for $5.85 lb. Wish we had this combination on the west coast. We have enjoyed our own version, instead of chowder, a seafood pasta.

The other thing that has happened in the east and hope it gradually works it's way all over the continent. Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Quebec have passed a law that you can not use a cell phone while driving a vehicle, except handsfree. Each of these Provinces has a fine of over a $100.00. if caught.