September 2015 – Steps to Anywhere

A day in Ottawa

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

When we set out to explore Ottawa this morning it was overcast but dry. We walked to the Parliament grounds then booked a Guided tour and continued to explore. We were fortunate enough to see the changing of the guard at the war memorial. At 10:50 we were escorted into the centre block and the security inspection As a result, my small multi-tool was taken into custody to be retrieved upon exit.

Centre Block

The tour was well done by our multi-lingual guide. At the end of the guided portion we took the elevator up the clock tower passing by the carillon bells as they were being played for the noon concert.

Ottawa from Clock Tower

The view from the tower is quite spectacular but by the time we again reached street level some light rain had begun.

Parliamentary Library

During lunch we discovered that the Air & Space Museum would be closed Tuesday when we had planned to visit. We hurriedly changed our reservations for the Ottawa River tour to Tuesday morning and returned to the hotel to get the car. We visited the Air & Space Museum for the remainder of the afternoon and saw an intact DC-3 we believe was one piloted by Gail’s father.

Group of older RCAF Jets

Air & Space Museum Panorama

By the time we finished at the museum it was raining quite hard so we returned to the hotel, sat and chatted with some other travellers while we had a glass of wine. The final excursion of the day was a walk in the rain to find dinner.

Tomorrow we will try to take in the river tour then start for home.

From Ottawa

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

Just a quick post from Ottawa this morning. Yesterday, in Edmunston, we awoke to frost on the car and a little ground fog in the valleys as we set out on the highway. In eastern Quebec we were on recently updated highways so Penny had no idea where we were at times. Montreal traffic was a bit crazy, even on a Sunday afternoon but we made it through and arrived in Ottawa around 4 PM.

Thanks to Bill & Janna for our first home cooked meal in weeks and it was great to meet their two beautiful little girls Anika and Bryn.

After an evening walk around parts of the city we watched as much of the lunar eclipse as the developing overcast would permit. Today we will try to see a bit of the Capital. The temperatures should be comfortable but it looks like we may have to dodge a few rain drops.

Edmunston, NB

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

It was a 900 km trek today from Sydney, NS to Edmonton, NB that began about 8 AM and ended just before 6 PM. Fortunately, after we left Cape Breton Island, the speed limit was 110 kph for most of the trip. Highways all the way so scenery was just forest and there were no side trips.

There were the first signs of autumn colour change and you can see some in the photos.

Tomorrow’s 750 km trip to Ottawa will be a breeze and we should arrive around 3 PM EDT thanks to the time zone change. A day and a half visiting in Ottawa and then home.

Back in Nova Scotia

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Edward Thorpe

Despite the 11:45 departure time for the ferry we still left the Port aux Basques hotel about 9 to get a Timmy’s coffee as the reputation of the ferry terminal food services has not been good. Also, they expect everyone to check-in at the terminal 2 hours before sailing. We boarded from the back of the ferry and were very near the front for an early evacuation in North Sydney.

So we say goodbye to Newfoundland and Port aux Basques as our ferry, the MV Highlanders, sailed out of the harbour.

The ship rolled considerably after we left the shelter of the harbour and continued to do so for almost half of the trip. It was sufficient for Gail to buy some Ginger Gravol which seemed to help. She was not the only one feeling the effects of the sea but I saw nobody violently ill. From the mid point on the seas were calm and we arrived in North Sydney right on schedule at 1730 Atlantic time.

On the way to the hotel we did a bit of grocery shopping for the next two long days of travel and grabbed a fast food dinner. Once at the hotel we made a final trip to the hotel’s laundry then finished off the last of the wine. Oh yeah, the 24th was our 49th anniversary.

There won’t be much in the journal now until after we arrive in Ottawa on Sunday since Saturday will be a very long travel day with Sunday being a little shorter but with Montreal in the way. Hopefully we will find the Route 30 bypass uncrowded.