Another Day in Picturesque Canada

What a day this was!  Not only was it our National Day - St-Jean Baptiste - which is just a regular day for the rest of Canada, it was a day of touring Nova Scotia!  Our day started with a bite to eat and good coffee at Starbucks.

We actually had to go back to the hotel room because Stinkypaw couldn't drink properly and had to change her top.  And all those talks I've heard about opposable thumbs and stuff they have, making them more evolved than animals, yeah right!

Anyway.  We met up with her Postcrossing friend and her husband and headed for a little road trip.  Despite Stinkypaw's hubby lack of interest in seeing Peggy's Cove (just a lighthouse, according to him), I'm happy we went.  It was quite the sight!

I guess we were lucky enough that there was wind and the waves were crashing, showing and reminding us of what a force of nature the sea is. Look at this nice picture of us three.

Don't we just look like the puuuurrrfect little family?  Can you believe some people were taking pictures of me, as I sat there posing for Stinkypaw?  Some were even being nosy enough and asking if I'd traveled anywhere else in the world.  I tell you some people, as if they'd never seen a trimmed beaver before!

We walked around some, took some pictures, that place was quite scenic to say the least.  Stinkypaw even got her passport stamped by the lady at the postal counter (just like she did when we went to the Arctic Circle Center a few years ago)...

We continued our drive by heading to Lunenberg, also a picturesque, quaint little town.  They had lunch on a terrace on the waterfront, quite the view and then walked around some.  One thing we've noticed since we've been visiting Canada, it closes early.  By 5 p.m. the little shops were closing.  This morning we've noticed that most restaurants were not opening before 10 am, thus making them go to Starbucks! Those Canadians, I tell you, they almost have union hours!

On our drive back to Halifax, we spotted ring-a-dings as Stinkypaw calls them (they're actually lupins) and she managed to catch a picture of them, love those weeds!

You must admit they're not bad, right? Right! Glad you agree!

We were almost at Mahone Bay - here's the proof that I've been there! |Also quaint and picturesque.

From there it was cruising along the highway, Nova Scotia style.  I must say, despite being all relaxed and stress free, it was a long day.  Stinkypaw had not really realized how far of a drive it was from Halifax.  She was happy to spend that time with her friends exploring that part of Canada.  She believes, as I do, it was worth every moments, and we're all thankful to our local "guides".  I guess it is true what is said about those Canadians folks being nice and all...

Road Trip to Canada

Well hello there!  It's been a while since I traveled anywhere, but this time it's a doozy as we went for a road trip, not a little one, but one that took over thirteen hours of driving!  Stinkypaw wanted to attend yet another meet-up and this one was taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia - two provinces over heading East.  She managed to convince her better half to accompany us and off we were!

As we drove through New Brunswick, there were many patches of wild daisies, and since it's always been a dream of mine to lay in a field of wild flowers, Stinkypaw pulled over, during the little stretch of road she drove, since Hubby drove most of the way, and indulged my fantasy...

Don't I look like the cutest thing among these flowers?  I sure think so...  Good thing she stopped when she did, because an hour or so after, it started to rain and it poured for the rest of the way, really crappy drive, if you ask me, and I wasn't the one driving!  By the time we arrived in Halifax, the rain calmed down some, so that was nice.  I was happy to get out of the car and welcome the nice bed after that long and exhausting day.

Saturday the weather was trying to clear up some, so they decided to walk around some and explore while slowly making their way towards the café where the meet-up was being held.  Along the way we passed this big city sign and just had to take that tourist shot...

Can you see me among the flowers, bottom right?  I know I`m small, but I'm all there!  Not long after that, we stopped at a local whole in the wall type of place, very bohemian, which turned out to be a café but also a youth hostel.  The had good breakfast burritos and Hubby had his first local beer, which according to Stinkypaw fitted him perfectly since an old friend of his used to call him ''Propeller Head" turned out to be a nice IPA, according to him...

After the pit stop we kept walking, heading towards the meet-up place.  Ten ladies were partaking in this one, four locals, two from Ontario and four from Québec.  It was quite the Hen Party, lol and many postcards were signed.  Don't know the total tally since the organizer had made an official card, and two others also did their own cards, so there were lots of cards!

After the meet, some were heading home, others went out for dinner and we followed one of the locals.  Turned out we made our way to a restaurant where a bunch was supposed to be, but we did not see any of them there, so after waiting for a while, we decided to go some other place along the water front.  We had a great dinner, great company - nice to put a face (and more!) to a Bacefook and Postcrossing profile and actually get to know them.  After dinner Hubby and Stinkypaw kept on walking along the water front, even if all the shops were closed by that time, but they spotted a few places to come back to for Stinkypaw to get some postcards.  Along the way I actually ran into a public figure in Canada, so I had to take a picture with this old Prime Minister of Canada...

He's never been a good looking man, but he always wore his red rose on his lapel, such a sharp dresser!

After a good night sleep, we started our day by walking downtown.  We walked through the Halifax Public Gardens, beautiful place, full of trees and so many flowers, I was so happy...

Look at these purdy flowers...

Today the sun was shining at 23 degrees (not bad!), but man oh man is it windy here!  They had a bite to eat on a roof top terrace, and then made their way back to the waterfront for Stinkypaw to get some postcards.  After some shopping, they stopped for a refreshment (of course!)...

Nice spot they chose, by the water but somewhat protected from the wind.  Hubby had another local beer and I think he was afraid I'd take a sip or something...as if!

I much preferred her root beer floatie... that was quite yummy!

And this concluded the first chapter of our road trip 2019.  Stay tuned!

Nineth Trip: Oslo

While in Bodø Stinkypaw had contacted a few Norwegians through Postcrossing wanting to swap cards from their regions with her in Arctic Norway.  We got to see Norway that way... on postcards!

Among those who sent cards, one lady was very kind, and even suggested some places to visit if in Oslo. Since we were going to be in Oslo for a few days on our way home Stinkypas had contacted her and asked if she wanted to meet.  She  had sent so many postcards from Norway, showing us different areas of their beautiful country, with explanations,We just had to meet her.  And we did.  We even got to send a few cards with her, which was nice. 

The plan was a two hours meeting with her, and it lasted well over six.  We talked about so many things, such an interesting encounter and warm lady.  A great note to end our Norway adventure.
Oh and I made a new friend at the airport... Check him out.

Ain't he a cute little guy, since there were so many moose around Bodø it seemed appropriate to travel with one too.

From Oslo, we had a stop in England for a few hours, time for refreshments...

and off we were heading for home...

During the day

I was asked what I did during the day, how did I keep myself busy and all.  Since he works and has some limits as to how far he can go from the office, our exploration is somewhat limited, and since the stores are not open on Sunday, that is the day they chose to explore, since everything is closed anyway.  The rhythm or pace of the place is slower that what they are used to, let's say.

A few days ago, Stinkypaw came home with this cute friend for me, from Finland.  I will say this it is lovely!

During the day, I keep Stinkypaw company and also do the Postcrossing thing with her...

I also watch some TV, granted sometimes I have to read the subtitles because it is a Norwegian show, but they do catch some channels in English...

Doing my impression of the man

Just like him, too, I've taken a liking to local beer...

Viking Size Beer Can

And at times, I catch up with some friends online...

That is pretty much how I spend my days... I also read some and listen while Stinkypaw tries to learn the language, which doesn't sound too easy.  I'm keeping busy, no worries, I'm a beaver after all!