Week 6

 30 September 2022 – Boston

 Just works out that hubby is not off in Boston so am use to walking around on my own , have accepted that on this contract.Really cold outside was 9 degrees when we got here but as soon as the sun comes out it warms up then you get undressed again!One thing I have learnt with traveling is layers is the way to go for nothing worse than either being cold or hot.While I was in CVS buying sweets and cool-drink a young girl was at the till paying and she had her dog with her,but it decided to help himself to some sweats , was so funny and the more she tried to get it out the more he/she chewed must admit did have a little giggle while watching this play out in front of me.

Discovered a very nice coffee and pastry café called Flour very close to the terminal so that is where I spent my morning.The quote for the day in Flour was :
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall”

F.Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby

Thought that was special will definitely be back in two weeks time is nice and warm with delicious smells did not have anything to eat only coffee but maybe next week.Then it was time to collect a parcel for hubby at the crew shop where you have to cut up your box that your parcel comes in with a box cutter fold it up en place it in a bin.So I am the local pick up lady.

This week we are going to give Charlottetown a skip due to the damage done by the hurricane and are going to another new port so I am very excited to see what the new place will look like the place is called Corner Brook.

Decided to do the Scenic Cabot Trail en wragtig weer vol bespreek can you believe it anyway my name is on the waiting list so we hope for the best. Is a 7 hour tour and you are away all day went onto Mr Google and really does look amazing.The tour reveals vistas that inspired Alexander Graham Bell to observe,” I have traveled around the globe.I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies , the Andes and the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland , but for simple beauty Cape Breton out rivals them all.” So lets hold thumbs.

 

1 OCTOBER 2022 – BAR HARBOUR MAINE

 

Today was another perfect day in this part of the world cant even begin to think that last week we had this terrifying storm come up the coast and cause destruction in its path up the coast.Got off late morning and then we popped in at Melt to try there lobster rolls and decided to try a new sarmie and had to get the blue berry desert.We took the shore path past the impressive Bar Harbour Inn to a spot on the rocks for the tide was very low and a lot of rocks were exposed.

Well the lobster roll did not take the first spot from Charlottetown it is still the king of lobster rolls but don’t think we are going to call in that port again as I said before closed due to the damage of the storm. Also wanted to try there ice cream at Cows but maybe another time.

Was so special to just sit and enjoy our take aways with all these special foods with a stunning view over the sea  about 6/8 people  were in canoes and they came rowing past on a sea that looked like a mirror , perfect day for that kind of activity .

On our way back past the hotel they were getting ready for a wedding on the grass overlooking the bay ,well they could not have asked for a more beautiful day , green grass ,white chairs and-a view to die for ,wow what a setting.On the other side there were people sitting around a fire in a fire pit must be fantastic in the winter or should I say on the cooler days don’t know about the winter when ever-thing is covered in snow!

Spent the afternoon painting nails ,trying out my new hairdryer while hubby caught up on some more sleep just cant seem to get enough , think he is exhausted for being on duty 24/7 is touch.He does have his off days but because he is in charge of the medical department he never stays away for to long.

We are so thankful that all the covid testing and protocols have been dropped ,at last! Tomorrow we are back in Halifax maybe I will pop in at the Titanic Museum really enjoyed that when I popped in on another contract but the stories about the Halifax explosion and the Titanic are heartbreaking.

 

2 OCTOBER 2022 – HALIFAX

 

This morning I was the only passenger that had to meet the immigration officers can you believe it just me , so while I was sitting and waiting for them to come on board I sat and watched and listened how the ship docked and the crew talked to each other on the radios until we were safely against the dock and ready to tie up.Just as they came on one guy came straight to me looked at my passport stamped it asked me how long hubbies contracts were and then said you ready to go so that was it. I went up to the open deck for breakfast but o my goodness it was freezing outside said it was 10 degrees but there was an icy wind blowing  maybe that is why it felt so much colder so I went back to our cabin to put on all my warm clothing before I got off.Today my leather gloves from Alaska came out.

My first stop was the super market then went to the botanical gardens most of the flowers have finished flowering and time to clean up the beds the show for this year is over.The coffee shop in the gardens windows had been closed up with peaces of wooden slats for the hurricane that passed by last week and are still closed.Think it is also the end of the season so do not know if they are going to be opening up again. Found a new shopping mall so walked around there for a while then I popped in at the library but was there earlier and they only open up at 12 so went back later.

The walk back to the ship was freezing with not many people in the waterfront area did pass a restaurant with tables that have a fire in the middle to warm the people , this is something I have not seen before took a photo , very cool.Did a quick stop at the local country market and then it was straight to the garden café for some chicken broth and then bed.

 

3 OCTOBER 2022 @SEA:

 

The captain informed us last night that they had to cancel our call to Sydney due to the damage done to the town because of  hurricane Norma,so that was a big disappointment  am sure a lot of passengers are really disappointed but what can they do.Maybe a lesson to be learnt that you can plan but sometimes things don’t work out and be ready for things like that.The other good news is that Bermuda has also dropped there covid testing and restriction so I am really very glad about that will save us $40 each week for the test they required.Think our first trip to Bermuda is at the end of October and 7 day cruises between Bermuda and Boston.

Last night leaving Halifax we had the most fantastic sunset views from the ship , I took photos for about 5/10 min and each photo is different and beautiful , the sky and horizon changes right in-front of your eyes. Nature at its best don’t think we spend enough time outside at home to see all these things happening around us at sunrise or sunset.

Today I did a few rounds on deck 7 to get some walking in and hubby joined me a bit later but he was complaining that it is was to cold so that did not last very long.Watched the series Downtown Abbey so that kept me busy for a while and really enjoyed it for all the stuff on BBC and USA news not very positive and uplifting actually makes you feel depressed for the world is upside down that’s for sure.Net moord doodslag en hartseer nuus .Tomorrow we are going to be taking the tender boats ashore and will have the day to walk around and explore , looking forward to that just hope there is something to see in walking distance of the port area.

 

4 OCTOBER 2022: CORNER BROOK CANADA

 

Arrived in this bay that is called Humber Arm and the town is Corner Brook , on the dock we were met with a guy playing  guitar singing a song  I want to go home! and that is exactly how I am feeling  so did have a little giggle and thought spot on , am missing home.You see all these beautiful places and things but it is not home.Was 8 degrees today but does not feel that cold because no wind.

I took the shuttle bus into town and then decided to go for a walk on the Corner Brook Stream Trail did not have many other people on the trail and thought to myself if I had to get lots or mugged here hubby wont know where I am maybe I should put one of our baggage finders in my pocket!

Was beautiful and walked past lots of benches along the way and trees that have been planted in memory of people that have passed on , thought that was very special and a lot better than a tombstone.Passed an area where they have fish ladders for the reintroduction of Atlantic salmon into the Corner Brook Stream and for 50 years the salmon did not have access to the stream but in 2003 a substantial and healthy population of Salmon now come back every year to spawn ,  how cool is that. Love it.

They also got kids to release the salmon from the hatchery when they started with the project.

On my way back to town I stopped someone in the street just to make sure I was walking in the right direction another first for me was a round tunnel going under the road to get to the other side so no crossing over the street.

Back in town my eye caught the Mill Whistler Road Train and I decided to give it a try so went on a short rain ride through the town. Enjoyed our bus drivers whit when someone asked him when does the bus that we are riding on come back tot the ship , his chirp every second day!!! Also told us that the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill is the biggest industry in town and the specialist medical facility see to the surrounding areas populations medical problems.

 I walked back to the docking area instead of taking the bus ,enjoy walking more for you see a lot more and get the feel of a place. Don’t think this is a place I would come to visit.The tender ride back to the boat was a bit bumpy with the wind picking up and a bit of a swell so glad I got back before it got worse.Phoned hubby to meet me for lunch and then it was time for a afternoon snooze.Tomorrow another sea-day and then we back in Saguenay.

 

5 October 2022 : @SEA

 

Today the sea has been flat all day and I mean flat,so glad soos n spieel  , really stunning.We got to the gym at last and then went for a walk on deck 13 but that did not last long for it started drizzling so decided to quit did not think walking around in the rain while you still hot from your gym workout would be good.Has been a lazy day on board and tomorrow we want to get up to watch the sail in on the Saguenay River.

Still hoping we can get back to Sydney on our way back to Boston but only time will tell for will try again to get my name on the list for the Cabot Trail excursion. At breakfast this morning we were very lucky to see dolphins swimming past and that I can count on my one hand compared to our beautiful coast line where they come pass in there hundreds , have been hoping for a whale but no luck so far.