The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves...

Sunday, May 31, 2026

East Coast 2026 - Quebec City

Leaving Halifax in early morning, we made the long trek all the way back as far as Quebec City, continuing to listen to Fourth Wing as we drove. We were again blessed with good travelling weather as we stopped at Truro for gas and coffee before we sped through the Cobequid Pass and into New Brunswick at Sackville, stopping for lunch at Oromocto.

An accident on Autoroute 20 saw us detour down through Levis and along the meandering shoreline, for a different view of things. We regained the highway and crossed the Pierre Laporte Bridge and up the west bank of the St. Lawrence into Old Quebec. Google Maps led us on a rather circuitous and entertaining tour of the city, up and over the hill before bringing us back down to the water.

We rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Old Port for two nights, right down at the river, and a great location for exploring this historic town. We climbed the hill several times to enjoy the sights and sounds of Vieux Quebec amidst Montreal Canadiens playoff fever. I even practiced my French a little. We also explored the Parks Canada ruins of Chateau Saint-Louis beneath the boardwalk and current Chateau Frontenac....and for once, the funicular was actually running!

Departing early once again on Friday morning, we regained the Autoroute and headed southwest. Other than a bit of traffic around Montreal, it was another smooth run, and before long we were in Lancaster, Ontario and a stop for food and fuel. Sailing back along the 401 and 407, we started up the 400 on a Friday night and got off at Aurora Road, just before a large backup due to an accident. Driving cross-country, we got back to The Harrows' and spent a quiet evening reminiscing over the past two weeks.

Both wide awake at 545am, we headed out early for home, and stopped to scoop Vincent from boarding before arriving home to unpack and unwind, with a day to spare before returning to work. All told, the Bronco Sport earned full marks on its inaugural road trip of 5994 km.

Les Lofts St. Paul - 139 rue St. Paul

Great location in the Old Port!

Two days to explore Vieux Quebec

Chateau Frontenac looms above

Exploring the ruins of Chateau Saint-Louis under the Dufferin Terrace

Gateway to the Old Town

Riding the funicular up....it's working this time!

Samuel De Champlain

There's even a Cows here too!

The Ass Pate was delicious!

A fitting welcome back to Ontario

Friday, May 29, 2026

East Coast 2026 - PEI

We left Halifax on a Sunday morning. The MacDonald Bridge was closed due to a marathon, with runners literally crossing the bridge as we drove under it and onto the MacKay Bridge instead to traverse The Narrows. Once clear of the city, a seamless run up the 102 saw us in Truro for gas and breakfast.

It was quite the experience. Between our negative experience at the local McDonald's - subject of a comically scathing review later by June at our behest - and watching a deer run down the main street and nearly out into traffic as I pumped gas - the second coffee was greatly needed by this point.

Given that our friends live on the eastern end of PEI, the ferry from Caribou to Wood Islands made more sense than the Confederation Bridge. On the way up to Caribou, another deer ran right out in front of us near the Pictou roundabout.....right AT a deer crossing sign!

After boarding the brand new MV Northumberland, which just came into service last year, Jane remarked that it felt a Norwegian ferry. Lo and behold, once we got looking around....it WAS a Norwegian ferry for the first part of its life before being brought over. We enjoyed a pleasant crossing under sunny skies, and just over an hour later we were speeding north towards Montague.

We had a good visit with our friends, including the obligatory dinner at Peake's Tee.....followed by a surprise deep-dish blueberry pie. Knowing that we were coming, apparently Kay asked her SIL Darlene at the restaurant to make one for us all to have for dessert.

We stayed local at the Riverside Inn, near to our friends but out of their hair for the night. We enjoyed our room and the serene balcony overlooking Montague harbour as sunset came....and still later with lights in the darkness over the fishing fleet.

The next morning, we squeezed in another good visit with Kay and Geoff (and Bibs and Wilson!) for breakfast and coffee, before bidding them farewell. The ferry was full on a holiday Monday, and we hadn't pre-booked since we didn't know how long we were staying. We took the Bridge instead, so we got a different tour of the Island as we wound our way back to Borden....and ended up sitting parked ON the ocean (gulf) for about 15 minutes as they had it reduced to one lane for resurfacing.

Back briefly into a small corner of New Brunswick, we had a quick washroom and hotdog stop at the Irving before returning to Nova Scotia and making our way back to Halifax and the Harrows for a few more nights of fun.

A deer ran across in front of us at the deer crossing sign near Pictou

The harbour at Caribou, NS

Boarding the MV Northumberland

Spot the Bronco!

Still closing the tailgate even as we sail away?!

Welcome to PEI!

Visiting with Bibs and Wilson

Thanks Darlene!

Montague harbour at sunset and dusk from our balcony vantage

Parked on the Confederation Bridge before the construction zone

Welcome to Nova Scotia....again!

East Coast 2026 - Halifax!

We arrived in Halifax, set to spend five exciting nights in the heart of the downtown. We got a great deal on a two-bedroom apartment at the Cameo Suites on Barrington, right in the thick of the action. Once we got the car parked nearby, we unloaded our stuff and started exploring in earnest.

Over the next several days, we wandered down the hill to the waterfront numerous times. We explored two different farmer's markets, including one right inside the iconic Alexander Keith's Brewery. We strolled the Harbourwalk under intense sun and I actually got a bit of a sunburn.....in Halifax in May! Jane found a few Cows locations and June found all the shops. We did a lot of walking, up a lot of hills....and made a few grocery and booze runs to nearby establishments to stock the apartment.

For shade breaks, we frequented a number of establishments in the vicinity to replenish our fluids and continue to sample the local cuisine. Durty Nelly's became a fast favourite, as did The Old Triangle. It didn't hurt that the Montreal Canadiens playoff push had the whole town in a hockey frenzy. We also enjoyed the more chill Bearly's as well as a few other places in the general area of our accommodations.

We took the Harbour Hopper tour, which winds up the streets up old town Halifax before crashing into the ocean between the casino and the naval dockyards, for a boat tour along the shore. We also did the Halifax ghost walk with Dusty, starting up at the Old Town Clock and working our way down to the waterfront by dark, with numerous stories and history along the way.

Of course, we had to tour The Citadel as well, the historic British fort perched atop the city complete with re-enactors in period costume. The Halifax Explosion of 1917 obviously also played prominently into several of our tours.

Leaving the Harrows to pub hop around the neighbourhood, we took the opportunity on a quiet Sunday morning to shoot off to Prince Edward Island for a quick visit with Kay and Geoff.....but we were back in Halifax by Monday night for a few more adventures in the wonderful city.