Bring Me Sunshine

Friday September 7th

Already we're a week into the trip and the time is flying by. Still can't believe we're away for 6 months but getting quite used to the routine of waking up and knowing that there's no work to be done. If only that lottery win would come through soon so that we can become even more accustomed to that feeling.

We woke up in the night to the sound of a huge thunderstorm passing through, being in a tent makes these things sound even more fierce but the tent stood up to all that was thrown at it. We headed off in the morning to a place called Cavendish on PEI where there was a huge sandy beach. By the time we'd strolled along this and back the sun was out in full force and so the first swims of the trip were had, although in fairness mine was more of a splash! As the evening was closing in we found a little eatery place on a dockside that was serving lobster rolls so we had these while watching the sun set, all very pleasant indeed. To round the day off we went and took in a drive-in movie. A much better way of watching films as you sit reclined in your car with the sound coming through your radio. Fairly bizarre but enjoyable.

24/7: Rain, frost, lightning. The tent survives all

Saturday September 8th

The morning dawns and it is a fabulous morning so we decide to walk the very short distance to the beach from the campsite and have tea and muffins on the sand. Sadly today is the last day on PEI and we're heading back onto the mainland. It's a very beautiful place and very quiet.

Back on the mainland we headed for a place called Moncton, famous really for a local phenomenon called Magnetic Hill. Here you can drive to the bottom of what looks like a hill, stick the car in neutral and then effectively roll back uphill. I was quite impressed and so we did it twice although Rach was a tad more cynical about it, think it's her scientific trait!

After this maybe not so impressive natural attraction we went to a much more outstanding one on the Bay of Fundy. Hopewell Rocks are sandstone rock formations that are fashioned by the highest tides in the world. At low tide, as it was when we arrived, you can walk around on the seafloor and investigate the rocks, but when high tide comes in (and we're talking about 10m+ tides) you can kayak around the same rocks. After a good scramble around we left and headed for a campsite in the Fundy National Park.

24/7: Now that's what I call a bun!

Sunday September 9th

The day started with a slightly truncated walk around Matthews Head after my calculations on the time it would take failed to take into account a 3km leg. The walk we did manage though gave us spectacular views of the coastline of the Bay of Fundy and the tide was coming in.

Once ready for the off we were destined for Fredericton. The route took us along the main Trans-Canada highway and once again we were amazed by the complete lack of traffic, the two things that still amaze us are the lack of traffic and the amount of trees. The trees are just starting to turn colour so in a week or so's time the views are going to be fantastic.

The point of heading to Fredericton was to meet up with Andy and Kath, we used to work with Andy, and their two kids Deryn and Thomas. We followed them out to their house out of town and what a house. In about 3 acres of woodland it's a great log cabin and we're going to be spending a couple of days here. A night of catching up over a few beers was a very nice way to end the day.

24/7: Good God Andy, this is some house