WEEK 7

 6 October 2022  SAGUANAY 2022:

 

We sailed into the Saguanay River before dawn and I was the one who said no don’t feel like getting up to go for a walk , guilty as charged!!It turned out to be one of the best days ever regarding the weather.While we were sailing up the river you could see that the trees had started changing colour and was just beautiful to see from the ship. Autumn has definitely arrived.

Got our normal friendly welcome alongside the dock  and then I decided to go for a long walk to the HA! HA! Pyramid in downtown it was built in memory of the great flood in 1996 when the town got so much rain that it caused a flood and about 200 houses were swept away and 2 kids died in a mud slide.Took me an hour to reach it passed a few people on bikes and thought to myself I should have rented a bike would have been great for is a flat route all along the water edge.

On my walk I saw white birds taking off into the skies and what a sight it was thousands of ducks in flight by the time I realised this is something you don’t see often it was all over!Near the downtown they were just chilling in the water close to the water edge by the hundreds maybe even thousands took a few pics but you don’t really get the real feel of them in a photograph and also a noisy lot.

On my way back I stopped at a local super market for by this time I had walked up a thirst and even tried some local cheese.

Was very glad to see our ship think I had walked about 15km in total,so was very glad to sit and enjoy the wifi in the terminal.Spoke to one of the ladies in the terminal who told me a bit of history and the story about the Little White House located in Bassin Park, it is the only house that survived the flood in 1996 it is built on rock all the other houses around it were swept away in the floods, is that not amazing.She said the force of the water was equal to that of the Niagara Falls.

Once back on board I took a video of a sea plane coming in to the harbour and the other one was of it leaving with guests to fly to the Fjords I assumed.Had my afternoon coffee on deck 12 with a stunning view over the river and town also watched the moon come up took some beautiful photos and the other pics were at night leaving this special little town.Hubby and I even had supper on the outside deck which was great and only because the weather was playing along.

 

7 October 2022: QUEBEC CITY CANADA

 

Our last visit to this beautiful city today we did not dock in downtown so that was a disappointment anyway once hubby was ready we took the road to downtown.The only thing about arriving early is that most places do not open until 11/12 o clock.We just walked around and then stopped for ice cream and coffee what a combination I had a coffee and hubby his ice cream.Did take out our umbrella but thank goodness the hard rain only came after we were back on the ship this afternoon. Got back and tried to get on the Cabot Trail Excursion in Sydney and was I glad when told me they have a spot for me,so very excited about that just hope we can dock in Sydney after last weeks disappointment.Tomorrow we are at sea and then Charlottetown is our first port of call really hope they cleaned up and can accommodate us this week.

 

8 October 2022:@SEA

 

The weather is definitely changing for this morning it was 8 degrees outside with a freezing wind blowing.Last night was a full moon with a stunning reflection on the water and shining into our cabin.During the night I got up and saw a lot of white waves on the sea but we were not rolling and felt like smooth sailing but when I got to deck 12  for breakfast I saw that the wind was coming from behind and think that is why we did not feel anything.Had plans to do a few other things but once I started reading my interesting book that was the end of my other plans nothing like a good book.

Planning on going out for supper on Thursday evening to a new restaurant and hear there is another cast in the Theatre so I might pop in to see what it is like.Hubby got his new dates and so far will be joining in Lisbon in Portugal next year but wont bet on that for things seem to change as we go along.Would love to join him there for I have not been there before only time will tell.

We are very thankful that cruising seems to be getting back to the old normal must admit has been a very scary challenging last 3 years and cant really believe we have survived all the drama , covid has taught us to not take anything for granted that is for sure.

 

9 OCTOBER 2022 – CHARLOTTETOWN CANADA

The moon was stunning last night and at 4 am in the morning I was taking a video from our cabin trying to catch it on camera but easier said than done one thing I can say that the bridge officers had there foot on the gas!! In the video you can see we are sailing at a speed.

It was very light outside and also tried to take a photo but that was not so easy.When we arrived in this port at 13h00 it was strange to see that there was not a boat in sight in the harbour area the moorings were still in place but no boats was an eerie feeling and that made you realise something did happen here 2 weeks ago.I was wondering if they took the boats out before the hurricane hit and where they took them too inland or into warehouses?

9 degrees outside and a chilly wind blowing so everyone had there big warm jackets and hoodies out On our walk into town you saw trees that had been snapped some big trees blown over and some branches of trees snapped like match sticks in some places the piles of branches have not been collected and just pilled on each other.

Here and there you can see damage to some houses but not many here in the dockside area that was a blessing.Had 4 ships in the port today so also very glad to see that and passengers all over the place but a few shops were closed that I thought was strange so don’t know what the reason for that was only other thing it was Sunday.

We stopped at our usual stop DAVE’S LOBSTER at Peake’s Wharf for the best warm lobster roll in all the different ports we have been too,cost us 32$ but was worth every sent or $ I should say.Prices depend on the market price by the look of things so no fixed price.They are delicious and so tasty 10/10 for there chefs.

The cold got to us and we did not last long and decided to rather get back to our warm cabin for a afternoon sleep.This week seems to be the week of stitching fingers had 3 injury’s this week , weird .Tomorrow is my trip on the Cabot Trail in Sydney Nova Scotia so really looking forward to that  ,hope I am not disappointed. 

 

10 October 2022 -SYDNEY

 

Left early this morning on my 7 hour tour on the Cabot trail in Nova Scotia I was lucky to have an open seat next to me so had lots of space but 7 hours is a bit long I felt.Must admit think we missed the changing of the colours and the hurricane stripped leaves from the trees so that was a disappointment but when we got nearer to Ingonish there were a few trees that were bright red.

Our tour guide gave us lots of interesting information just after leaving the town area I was lucky to see a deer family along the highway counted about 6 deer adults with calves made me think of our kudu.Had a giggle when our tour guide showed us an old age holmes and right next to it they have the crematorium and funeral parlour ,like she says out the one door and in at the other very convenient.

 Another very interesting fact is Lobster catching season is only from May to July so

3 months of the year , you need a licence can cost up to 3 million sha said and only 2 ways of getting one and that is inheriting one or buying one from someone who has one and wants out,so no just going and getting one.The license is for 275 traps and you get your spot in the sea and nobody meddles on your turf!! On our way we passed a few houses along the coast with all there traps packed out next to the house so they take them out of the water after the season.

Crab gives you a quota of 325 000 pounds per license.All along the way we passed little villages with artisans like metal works , pottery , leather works looks like heaven with a little house a  yard with no fences lots of wood and lots and lots of water and lakes.The seasonal workers also leave this area at the end of October not sure where they go after that or for the winter also a few trailer parks with lots and lots of them.

Fishing is also a huge industry in these parts and for those living far from the city planning is important otherwise a trip to the general store down the road will have to do it.

Here you live very close to nature in-sync with the rhythm’s of the seasons just love that.Took us to Ingonish beach covered in beach pebbles and told us this happens with the tides one day you get there and the beach is covered in sand and with next visit the sand has been replaced with pebbles even the walking wooden path is under pebbles so walking not really possible.

The Keltic Lodge at the High Lands has stunning views over the ocean and built on a hill overlooking the ocean has beautiful bedrooms with stunning views and a venue for weddings and functions.

Thank goodness we were on a ship tour for we were 15 min late so if organised by them the ship waits for you don’t think we had a happy captain!!

 

11 OCTOBER 2022 – HALIFAX

 

Amazing what a difference clear sunny skies do to how you experience a place! Feel like getting off and exploring . I got coffee in bed which was a wonderful surprise and decided to get up late this morning had a lie in.Knew I had to wait for hubby until after the crew drill so took things slowly today.

4 Cruise-ships in the port today so going to be busy. 

We went looking for a coffee shop and popped in for coffee a salmon croissant and a almond croissant so that worked out well but the wifi was not great could not download any important things so the hunt had to go on.We then returned to the terminal and hubby could at least download his things but they only give you an hour then it goes off!!! So this is a ongoing search in each port which I find very irritating.

Tomorrow we are back in Portland Maine in the States and the weekly customs procedure will start as soon as the officials come onboard.The captain had just informed us that we are going to have 70km per hour winds tonight so that does not sound lekker but tomorrow cloudy skies and a gentle breeze so not bad. 

Don’t have any more excursions planned only want to take hubby to my special spot in Bermuda to show him the parrot fish and beautiful bay that I have discovered and costs us nothing to get there for we take the ships ferry that leaves right from our ship in the port and drops us back there again.

Would love to do the jet-ski ride again but is very expensive and we have done it before.

 

12 OCTOBER 2022 – PORTLAND MAINE

 

Do not know if the 70km winds did come up during the night but we felt nothing and slept like babies.a Perfect day with flat seas so local fishing boats are out taking advantage of the stunning weather before the winter sets in.Heard passengers say they had seen whales but I missed that.Got another very sick patient on board so the ambulance is going to be waiting for us when we arrive in the port.Hubby on duty so he is going no where would have been great to come with me on such a perfect day.

The trees along the coast still have some stunning red , orange and yellow colours that you see from the ship with the sail in, times like this I which I had my sisters very very long lens to zoom in but it is really heavy so not for me while traveling.Think you need a little suitcase on wheels to cart that around.

The customs exercise went smoothly and all is done electronically did not even stamp my passport and all my info came up  straight away on there little computers dingetjies finger prints ,photo ect

Then I was off for the day I stopped at the Windjammers Sails office to find out about the trips and then decided was going to do a trip so had a bit of time and did some shopping first before I came back to enjoy my 2 hours sailing in Casco Bay on a ship built in 1913!

Beautiful old sail boat with 4 sails had this big wooden wheel and a old compass but a modern new age GPS on board must say was glad to see there was a GPS,just in case only to hear later something faulty with its depth gadget so that did not go down well but was reassured the skipper normally does not have a GPS to sail in the bay but knows the bay like the palm of her hand and a high tide with the full moon.

Had 3 crew and a lady skipper the 2 men were handsome looking young sailors and also very entertaining.

Have to admit I loved it when other boats passed us and rocked our boat was dead quiet when she turned the engine off and only used the sails.So had a beautiful afternoon sailing on this old ship.Think my next thing is going to be one of those power boats that travel at high speed and do those 360 spins on the water so far I have only watched.

On our sail we passed a fishing trailer with an old man busy working with his lobster pods not sure if he was pulling them up must say the boat looked a bit sad and in need of some attention and paint.

Then I was off to do some shopping to get things that we can use in our home to remember our travels.Popped in at the Danforth Metal shop just wish were not so heavy then I might have bought more things but is pewter. Had a lovely day in Portland and  was glad to hear that the trees might change even more before we leave for Bermuda.End of October is the end of the season and the boat we were on they leave in the water otherwise the ice can crack the wood in the winter when everything is covered in ice.

 

13 October 2022 - @SEA

 

Woke up this morning with a stunning video and photos sent to us by our sons girlfriend with him getting his doctors degree in person after the covid put a hold on any ceremonies taking place last year.Wished I had champagne and orange juice to celebrate but that will have to wait until we are back home and together.

 Hubby and I had a walk on deck 7 and for the first time ever there were stacks of dolphins swimming not far from our ship on both sides and at one stage they even swam towards us and just before they disappeared under the ship we could hear there breathing out of there blowholes, so exciting to see such amazing creatures.

I was worried about the propellers of the ship but  hubby kept telling me these guys are smart and sure enough did not have my cell with me on this quick walk maybe a good thing for could just enjoy the sight for you lose the magic sometimes when you busy with a video or a photo.Tomorrow we are back in Boston and then our 7 day tours start for 2 weeks.