On Monday, bright and early, was at the bus (8:00 a m) for my bus ride to Charlottetown... Beautiful day for the trip... caught it in Sydney, chg'd busses @ Truro, again @ Amherst, then on to C'town... An all day deal, arr. in C'town 5:00ish... Gotta' tell you, the Confederation Bridge is AWESOME!! I could not drive over it alone in a car, but in the bus, fabulous!!! Massive, close to 13 k. Certainly got my attention! Like I previously mentioned, am at The Aloha Guest House, very nice, Kelti (female) owns the house by herself and has it fixed up very nice... I am in the Rosewood room... Yesterday, was really tired, don't know why, but got my laundry up to date, geez, that is a good feeling... There was a concert last night, or there was s'posed to be, according to The Buzz, (rag showing the mo's events)... To attend involved a cab ride, when the time came for the doors to open at the venue, no one was there, again off-putting... I actually emailed the website when getting back, you guessed it, by cab... A ceildgh (sp?). was scheduled, really like the music but was not to be grr! I think that is why I have not posted my blog, too many things have been going wrong, or, not happening at all... In Halifax I rented a car to drive up to Peggy's Cove, et al, what s/b a $78.00 chg. turned up on my Visa as $193.92, so have Visa disputing on my behalf, that happened yesterday too... Enuf said... As the tours seem to be over everywhere I have visited, hired someone on the side today, cab driver to be precise, that drove me to the northern part of the island... Fabulous shoreline, beautiful sunny day, really enjoyed the tour... The red soil is so cool! Luckily, the house/estate of Ann of Green Gable's was still open, the last day of the season is today.. Really enjoyed the site, very well done... That pretty much brings you up to date... Interesting weekend, some good and the 1st bad experiences I have had in the month I've been on the road... Tomorrow it is on to Moncton, by bus - across that neat bridge again :-) Stay well... 'til next time... h

Happy Halloween, everyone... there are little ghosts and goblins coming to the Aloha Guest House's door in Charlottetown, PEI... Scarey!!! 1st I should bring you up - to-date:-) Sunday, in Sydney, was a rainy miserable day, thought I lost my "brellie" twice, ha! Luckily there was a huge craft fair downtown, out of the weather, that was interesting, after that a concert nearby in The 55 Club, yes, a seniors club... Actually it was very good, met new people, and was even served lunch, yeah! ha! Sunday was mellow, pretty much, not too much happenin' in Sydney... Apparently the weekend before the Celtic Colours were held in the city, just missed it, darn... The tour that was supposed to happen on Monday, didn't, which left me in a foul mood... The fellow said he would let me know if he couldn't make it, well, he didn't, very off-putting!!! By the way, did everyone see The Good Wife? Interesting turn of events, huh? Even tho' it was interesting seeing how people in Sydney live, it is a pretty mellow town... Really wanted to tour Cape Breton, do the trail and such, that's what was supposed to happen on Monday, without that, and the weather being what it was, 3 days was enuf... On to P E I... h

Friday was a travel day, traveling on Maritime Bus from Halifax, lv @ 9:00 am, arr. in Sydney about 4:00ish...  Again, a beautiful day to be traveling, sunny, but still enjoying the leaves...
I am in Royal Hotel, downtown Sydney, quite comfortable...  Pretty much just went out for something to eat, then called it a night...
This a m made arrangements for a possible tour on Monday of the northern part of Cape Breton, but not confirmed yet...  All the ltous have pretty much finished, also the weather has turned colder, but am happy to be here...  Very nice people, went to a local pub this aft to enjoy a ceildh (sp?) and several scotch, teehee?  Tonite a quiet night in for these old tired bones, ha!
Not much news today, just a mellow day:-)
'til next time...

Friday was a travel day, traveling on Maritime Bus from Halifax, lv @ 9:00 am, arr. in Sydney about 4:00ish...  Again, a beautiful day to be traveling, sunny, still enjoying the leaves...
I am in Royal Hotel, downtown Sydney, quite comfortable...  Pretty much just went out for something to eat, then called it a night...
This a m made arrangements for a possible tour on Monday of the northern part of Cape Breton, but not confirmed yet, as well as organizing a b & b in Charlottetown, when I arrive by bus on Tuesday...  All the tours, here, have pretty much finished, also the weather has turned colder, but am happy to be here...  Very nice people, went to a local pub this aft to enjoy a ceildh (sp?) and several scotch, teehee?  Tonite a quiet night in, for these old tired bones, ha!
Not much news today, just a mellow day:-)
'til next time...
h

If this Thursday, it must be time to go on another wine tour, but before that...
Since I still had the little red rental, drove over to Fairway Cemetery, having brekkie on the way...  Going over to view the grave stones of some of the Titanic victims...  The lady that raised me was from the U K, when her and her family were travelling to Canada, they were booked on the Titanic...  A businessman approached her dad offering to buy the ticket, her father agreed and the rest is history...  That and the fact that the 100th anniversary was last year, it picqued my interest...  By the time I got back to the hotel the wine tour group were waiting and off we went...  The tour was in the Anapolis Valley, which I wanted to see...  It was another beautiful day, sunny and the drive over and back was beautiful!  We went to 4 wineries, great group of people, also we had cheese 'n crackers at one of them...
After returning around 6:00ish, decided I would go out for my very 1st lobster dinner...  It was a lovely place, thing is, when the dinner plate was before me, I freaked!  The waitress, Laura, laughed, then helped me dissect the thing...  Felt like a weiner, but really!  Helped the youngen skin a bear, dear and have cleaned many fish but the lobster did it to me, yikes!  With Laura's help did manage to eat the legs, actually after I got used to it, wasn't bad..  Back in my married life, used to make Don peel any prawn shells for me but this was a whole new dimention...  enuf said, ha!
that was Thursday, stay tuned on Friday, as I'm off to Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, to be exact, by Maritime Bus...
ttfn
h

Hello from Halifax...
This is a beautiful city...  Weather has been great, showing off the foliage that mains on the trees...  A lot of Tamarac, both here and on the rock...
I sure needed that "maintenance" day on Mon/Tues, have been hitting it pretty hard for these tired old bones, ha!
Wed., paid a visit to the concierge to see what tours were still available, not many, it turns out...  Before renting a car, took a stroll along the waterfront, having brekkie at a marketplace along the way...  Went through' the Maritime Museum, great display of Titanic items, then went on the Harbour Hopper, an amphibian vehicle, that firstly took us on a tour through' downtown, then right into the water for a water tour...  It was very cool!
Got back to the hotel to p/u the car, a red Tooooyota Carolla, goes like stink, ha!  I'm off to Peggy's Cove, fabulous day for driving, sunny, but oh, so beautiful!  The road skirts the coastline, reminded me of Sea to sky and Chuckanut, in parts...  Peggy's Cove is breathtaking, very baron, but beautiful...  I ventured on to Lunenburg for dinner, yes, had lobster, but salad together with a fabulous soup...
By this time it was dark, so took the fwy back into the city, and surprise, surprise, didn't get lost, yahoo!
Then home, James, great day!
'til next time...
h

Helloooo from my wittle woom in the Westin Nova Scotian...
Here I sit with my glass of Apothic r/wine, in Halifax, looking across the harbour at Dartmouth, as the 2nd cruise ship leaves, can't make out the name of the line...
but, to tell you 'bout my time on the rock...
Arr'd late Friday, 10:30ish...  My 1st encounter with native Newfoundlanders were 2 people in the airport, for the life of me, could not understand them, strong Nfld accent, thought that was cool - super welcoming, liked it a lot...
Cabby took me to my B & B...  40 steps up later, suitcases in hand, huffing & puffing,  on the top floor of a 3 story walk up, groan, got organized for the night...  When opening the closet, found what looked like a "body bag" on the floor, seriously laughed, thinking of all the cop shows we all watch, ha!  No strange dreams that night, tho' ha!
The B & B,  not because of that, turned out to be less than expected, it happens, so will carry on with the remainder of the weekend...
During the 1st brekkie, made friends with Nicole and her daughter Meredith..  Meredith was attending a conference, mom came along with her for some one on one time...  They are both from Mtl... As Meredith was in conf. all day, Nicole and I walked up to The Rooms, worth looking up, online...  We had a great visit in the museum, had lunch, then meandered on back to the b & b...
Sat. evening is when I went for screech...
Sunday, Nicole, Meredith and I had scheduled a city tour, which we did...  Our tour guide is a retired school teacher, com principal, passionate 'bout his hometown, fabulous as a t/guide...  Very informative, we all really enjoyed...  I can now say I have been on the most eastern point of all of north america and you know who I met there? a couple traveling, as I am doing, from Qualicum, Vanc. Is...  We couldn't figure out where the most western point is, is it Pacific Rim Park, Torino/Ucluelit (sp)???
A quiet evening, then outta' there at noonish on Monday...  All the tours are pretty much over for the season, weather is not condusive for too much of any travelling, so decided to carry on with my travelling, to Halifax, to be precise...
Enjoyed my time on the rock, may go back someday, but in summer mos., then maybe to Labrador, as well...
I am now in a super location, food/liquor store; laundromat; Via Rail right next door; (sent, already a box of summer clothes, souvenirs, etc) to my friend, Jude, to lighten the s/cases a bit, and am in "Irishtown" Halifax...  Got my laundry done and up to date, got the box off to Jude, so manama is when I plan on being a tourista and finding out all about this berg...
'til the next time...
stay well...
h

Screech...
I am covering the most important topic, am sure you are wondering what it tastes like, huh?
To be "screeched in" means:
On George St., party street central, downtown St. Johns, there are quite a few pubs that take hourly reservations starting @ 10:30ish p m for this process...  The barkeep pours shooters of screetch for all, saying nfld  sayings you are expected to repeat, then a cod has to be kissed - variation a piece of bologne (sp?), yep, baloney has to be eaten, then you shoot the screech...  Then you have been screeched in...  There are many variations of the process, but that is the one I understand is done...  Sometimes, a mint candy (yuck!) is in the mix...
No, I did not stay up for the process, too late for these old bones, plus the 2 ladies I met, one had already been screeched in, the other wasn't interested...
But, yes, I did a version of being screeched in, which was:  Walked over to George St on Sat evening, went into one of the bars, mentioned to my waitress that I came all the way from Van., to drink some screech...  She was a cute little girl by the name of Carrie, who brought me a shot, also brought one for her...  She said that it wasn't allowed to do your first shot of screech so we downed them in unison...  That was her treat!  Cool, huh?  I enjoyed that so much, had a few more but with coke...  What is screech, you ask?  It's Jamaican Rum, man!
How did it get it's name you ask?  Years ago, ships transported fish to Jamaica but had no cargo set to come back so it was decided to send rum back, very popular, so it became the custom...  The Americans were here during WWII, drinking, one pte swelled a big gulp, his Sgt walked in as he screeched, probably choking, I don't know...  The Sgt asked if he was all right, a buddy said he just screeched when drinking, hence the name...
h

Further thoughts...
I think since I don't know how to include pics, will try and give links of where/what I'm doing...
I am booked in to The Roses Heritage Inn in St. John's for 3 nights...  After that, haven't decided...
If you want to comment on any of my blogs, just hit the No Comments, should take you right in...
Thanx to you that have been e-mailing, good to hear from you and will get back to you in the next couple of days...  I miss all of you and hope everyone is well...
Gwen, the bus went downtown St. Catharine's yesterday, that's when I realized I had spelled it wrong, so forgive me...  Great to see where you once lived!
All of you know autumn is my fav season, well, I certainly have been enjoying all the thanksgiving/harvest dec's and now hall'o'ween, just can't get better than that, huh?  Also, the general population really have decorated with many, many huge garden mums, mostly in yellow and on a bright sunny day, to see so many splashes of yellow, awesome!!!
I think that is it for now, just about ready to board...
Talk at ya' from the rock - going to get me some screech, wa-hoo!
h

I am now at Pearson, hopefully I will get this finished before my flt.
While at the b & b, the 2 brkfsts were amazing...  Fresh fruit, home baked muffins, o j, coffee, of course...  Pancakes the 1sr day, fr toast w/bacon the second day...  Thursday mid-morning bussed back into the city, stayed @ The Met again, so handy to the bus terminal - sweet!
Walked over to the distillery area, very similar to Granville Island, even the area along Esplanade reminded me of G. I... Walked thro' old town, really enjoying the area, by then was time for dinner...  Early night, all this walking catching up with me, so it was t v night...
This is going to be a travel day, my feet 'n legs rejoice,ha!
Destination: the rock, aka St. John's Nfld...  I am excited, should get in there about 20:00...  The reason, have been keeping an eye on the weather forecasts, already in the single digits...  I have booked a guest ste hotel, will send the link in my next blog...
I am off to drink some screech, will let you know what it's like...
Stay well...
h

As I sit and wait for transportation to Pearson on Friday, let me tell you of my adventure in Niagara-on-the-lake, Wednesday...  After walking over to the bus terminal to purchase a ticket back to To. Thursday, caught a cab to N-o-t-l...  The driver's name is Esmile, nicknamed "Smile" for good reason, such a nice fellow...  The ride was a flat rate so after hearing this was my 1'st time to the area, he stopped at all the lookouts for me, even slid by a RBC ATM...  He dropped me at Jackson-Triggs winery and the tasting began...  Janet and I got to talking, she is very knowledgeable 'bout wine, she wouldn't take any money for the 4 I tried, very nice young lady...
After, walked into town, a longer ways than I expected...  Was led to believe the wineries were closer together than they are and since the skies were ominous, thought I would get in out of any moisture that might happen...
What a beautiful, picturesque town!  Again, the flowers just amazed me, have noticed lots of Boston Ferns, both on veranda's and inside...
Meandered along the street, having a lovely lunch, poked in the shops, spending the whole afternoon there...  Traveled back the same route, along Niagara Pkwy, very scenic!  In town went to, what the natives call the Las Vegas area, viewing both the CDN and us falls, boy, the corps have sure capitalized on that, even a humungous casino...
After a bite to eat, ventured back to the b & b, David even allowed me to do a load of laundry, bless his heart!  I probably blogged while doing laundry, then to bed...
I think my transp. has arr'd so, later dudes, ha!
'til next one...

A few observations, specially for my "greenhouse" gal pals, the flowers continue to amaze me...  The hanging baskets, container, window boxes, beds are all so beautiful, everywhere I have traveled...  Maybe it is all the humidity, but all appear to be at their peak (mid July, or so) not mid October...  I have enjoyed and am in awe, that's for sure...  Yesterday, noticed the city crew preparing the beds for winter, know it has to be done, but must be hard to throw all that beauty out...
Haven't noticed lately but last week gasoline prices were $1.17 to $1.22...  Not knowing Van.'s prices now, don't know if they compare, or not, but expect prices are a bit lower in Ont...
Comparing To. to Van, pretty much the same, just bigger...  The diversity is the same, that's for sure...  Between Ottawa/Toronto, my preference is Ottawa, maybe just because listening to French rather than all the Asian is a novelty? who knows?  I have really enjoyed my time in Ontario, that is for sure, very happy to be here...
Everywhere I have gone, met very nice people, oh, and the bonus of finding Apothic by the glass, sweet!!!
Enuf said...
back to the blogging...
h

If it's Tuesday, it must be the day to take the bus to Niagara Falls, well, that is just what I did...  We left at noon, only a 2 hr ride... Gwen, really enjoyed driving thro' St. Catherines, lovely area, very much wine country, thought of you the whole time...I had arranged a B & B online, so took a cab from the depot to Niagara Inn B & B, a lovely house, built 1863, decorated period...  My room is lovely, painted yellow w/white trim, bright, cheery and clean, with an ensuite...  After meeting David, dropped my cases, walked over to the falls, totally awesome, can't believe I have seen one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, wow!  Spent quite a bit of time just sitting and enjoying...  I have been walking a lot, so after getting something to eat, came home going to bed really early, sleeping pretty much 12 hours, felt good, that's for sure...  Tomorrow, Wednesday, taking a cab over to Niagara-on-the-lake to drink a little wine...
That's it for now, 'til next time:-)
Oh, a footnote, on Monday, had my picture taken with Lord Stanley's Cup, yep, me who hates having her picture taken, twice, too...  Yep, really liked the Hall of Fame..

Hi everyone...
Monday was a beautiful day, sunny and warm...  Just perfect day to take a ride up the CN Tower, which I did, boy it is a long way up...  So far I have called it the Space Needle twice, oops!  There is a glass floor on the lowest level up there, almost stood on it, ha!  Right after, walked over to take a Harbour tour (which is a free :45 ride, part of the hop on/hop off bus ticket), cool, huh?  I really enjoyed that as well, touring throughout the islands...  Sat next to a good-looking fellow, we got to talking, he is up here from Minnesota, works for Target and is helping out for a week or so...After the tour, walked over to the Hockey Hall of Fame - really enjoyed that, was there for a couple hours...  Why isn't my friend, Don Cherry's picture there, probably 'cause he's pi__ed too many people off, huh?  He s/b amongst all those guys...  After, because I was already in the 'hood, walked over to TSX, touched the bldg - it's the small things, huh? ha!  By that time I was thirsty so went for dinner having my fav. Apothic r/wine...  Then home to my little room...  A really good day...
'til next time...
h

Yes, I know I just blogged yesterday but am catching up...
Hope this finds you all well...
Doris took me to the bus in Orillia, $18.11 got me to within a block of my hotel, cool, huh?  On the way south for the 100k I saw, there were 3 lanes of chockablock cars heading out of the city, wow!  I have never seen anything like it!  Toronto has been taken over by us tourista's, ha!  Got here in good time...  Did a bit of shopping, finally got a manicure, then p/u a ticket for the game last night (Oilers were in town), also a 3day ticket for the hop on/hop off bus...  Walked around a bit, then over to The Real Sports Bar to eat before the game - quite the place!  Sat at the bar, on one side were newlyweds from P E I (on honeymoon - goin &g to the game), on the other side a young man from southern U K looking for work, he is a cop in England, sure was cool talking to all of them...  A bit of trivia: of the 82 times these 2 teams have met, they are tied at 41 wins each, well I witnessed the tie breaker...  It was a close game, the leafs won in o/t to very excited fans...  My seat was the nose bleed section, but it was great being there - reminded me of all the Canuck games I went with (the youngen), ha!  Also, I walked both going and home after, feeling perfectly safe...  Sure did sleep well, was glad to get back to my little room...  This hotel is transitioning to a Hilton, I was given one of the new rooms, very nice for the price, that's for sure...  This hotel is a block from city hall...
It has been raining today, so after having brekkie at Eggspectacular, rode the hop on bus, then went in hunt of a turkey dinner, found one @ the Marriott, just got home...  Oh, today, bought another bus ticket to Niagara Falls, traveling Tues., also arranged a couple of nights @ a B & B there, so now you have it, up- to-date...
Hope all is well with you all
Stay safe...
h

My goodness, I am only a week into this and already behind in reporting...  Goodness gracious!
Really enjoyed my time with Doris in Orillia, also weather allowed flip/flops, summer clothes, can't get any better than time with a good friend, summer weather but with the fabulous colour of autumn, oh and good wine :-)
Doris took me shopping for the final few clothes I needed, certainly drove me around, showing me the sights of Orillia and surrounding area...  A very beautiful part of the world...  The colour of leaves is breathtaking!
On Friday, we met Tracey, Doris's daughter (Tracey is a member of Midland Police Dept., was on a few days of holidaze) to go on an art adventure throughout the countryside...  The most of the exhibits are in the artist's homes, therefore a double whammy, decorating ideas as well as some very talented artists...  Oils, water-colours, pottery, wood, glass, to name some of the selection...  Oh, and on a sunny day, driving in the country with all that fabulous colour, wow!  If you want to see some of the talent, here is the link www.images-studio-tour.com   Hope you can bring it up...  Came close to purchasing a print of green leaves turning colour, decision is not a done deal, still have his card...  Finished up the day by taking Doris and Doug to dinner...
Well, have bent your ear long enuf, now on to the big TO...
'til next time...
Stay safe...
h

Hello from Orillia...
I am enjoying my adventure so much, so far...
Ottawa was fabulous, despite not being able to fire the senate...  For the most part, the weather cooperated, thus making every experience so much more enjoyable...  A bonus, finding my fav. wine, ha!  Had a little culture, the concert @ the NAC; lots of history = Parliament Bldgs together with the Peace Tower; the river cruise and of course the War Museum...  Lots of walking, meeting new people, good food and wine...
I left Ottawa via Via Rail, thro' TO, to Washago, arr. @ 1:00 am, with my friend, Doris meeting me at that ungodly hour - does that equate to a good friend, or what?  Since I was the only one getting off at that station, I was very happy to see her...  Where she lives is so picturesque, I envy her...  The autumn colours are beautiful, the weather is in the high teens/low 20's, am back in my summer clothes, very happy I packed a few...  Really happy to be where I could wash clothes :-) , Doris even has a clothesline..  She and her husband live on ppty on a canal with so many trees around, golly it is so beautiful...  So far, the 2 of us have done a bit of shopping, she has driven me around a lot, showing me the sights, today the 3 of us hit the casino, did I win? not so much...
Tomorrow, we are meeting her daughter, the three of us driving through' the countryside on an art tour...  Don't know what to expect but all of you know what an artiholic I am, but will be strong, ha!
Doris worked @ 04960 early to mid 70's, for you non-bankers that is the RBC branch that is now 5 & Cambie, Rmd...
Well kids, so much for a short blog, but so much to tell :-)
'til next time, I hope this finds you all well, stay safe...
h


.

Greetings from rainy Ottawa...
It is sssoo warm out but rainy very hard - very weird, to say the least!  This is such a beautiful city, all the summer flowers still looking great :-)
Tomorrow, Oct. 8th, am leaving 17:00 for Orillia via Via Rail to visit with my friend Doris...  I am looking fwd to catching up with her...  S/b there a couple of days, then on to the big TO.
Just thought I would let you guys know...
'til next time...
h

Hi from Ottawa...
This is a fabulous city!  I am enjoying immensely!  On Friday went shopping, buying a winter coat, to die for! plus other things, had a good day getting to know the city...  Saturday, went on a river cruise, on a beautiful warm day, finishing off with a live concert of a local female artist, Basia Bulat, reminded me of Tracy Chapman, 'cept this girl is white...  Today, was really cold and windy with showers so am very happy I had the coat...  Went to the Parliament Bldgs - superb tour, also want up the Peace Tower (where the clock is)...  In the afternoon, walked over to the War Memorial - new bldg and very well done!!!  Really enjoyed the day, finishing off with some pasta and with my fav. wine - Apothic/Red, yes it is very popular here, how sweet is that?
I am well, enjoying everything, and safe...  Possibility of going over to Orillia to see my friend Doris, mid-week...
'til next time...
Stay safe & well...
h

2nd try...

hopefully everyone will find there way to this blog...  am certainly getting used to this system...  only 2 more sleeps, then on to Ottawa on Thursday...