What I Did on My Summer Vacation (part 1)

Saturday, July 14

Thinking that my train was leaving at 1:30 pm, and having mostly packed the night before, at 12:15 I decided to print my electronic receipt only to discover that in fact the train was leaving at 1:00 pm. Yikes! I live about a 20 minute drive from the train station and still needed to obtain my real ticket. Needless to say, several things were forgotten during the panic packing that ensued, including the USB cable for my camera and my Tilley hat, which irked me considerably because I had washed it 'specially for the occasion. But my son did a fine job, getting me to the station by 12:45. The self-serve kiosk was quick to use and in 5 minutes I had my ticket and was ready to board the train to Montreal for the first leg of the journey.

It was uneventful and unremarkable except that I noticed another woman knitting by the window on the opposite side of the aisle. The train was full and with people in the aisle seats between us I didn't have a chance to talk to her, but as she chatted with the man next to her it was apparent that she was traveling on to Halifax too.

With 3.5 hours to kill in Montreal, I took the opportunity to get some late lunch at a Thai Express (mmm... pad sew). Then, heading back to the waiting area, I spotted the other knitter from the first train. I struck up a conversation with her and and we compared our socks in progress. Hers was Fleece Artist and mine was Koigu, which she had never heard of. Imagine?! I guess that's what happens when you are not part of the knitting blogiverse.

Anyway, while Pat graciously babysat my luggage I took the opportunity to find a pharmacy and pick up a few travel essentials. You know, the usual - tissues, wet wipes, chocolate, tampons (why is that always necessary when I travel?). I unfortunately did not come across a bank machine and so I had about $10 cash to my name. Not much, considering arrival in Halifax was scheduled for 4:20 pm the next day. It was a good thing I ate all that pad sew.

That 3.5 hour wait in Montreal seemed to last forever, but eventually we boarded the train and left right on time at 6:30 pm. Here are a couple of shots on the way out of Montreal.

Notice the gloomy-looking sky. It started to rain shortly after that and continued to rain all through the night as I slept fitfully and uncomfortably - one of the perils of traveling "Comfort Class" VIA Rail's euphemism for cheap coach fare.

Sunday, July 15

When I woke up at 5:30 am we were passing through a delightful spot somewhere near the Quebec/New Brunswick border.

For Sandy, a Sunday sky.

For Norma, picturesque weeds.

We rolled along through New Brunswick: Jacquet River, Petit Rocher, Bathurst, Miramichi, Rogersville, Moncton, Sackville;

and into Nova Scotia, past houses, farms, and fields. Finally, right on schedule, the port of Halifax came into view.

After arriving at the Halifax station I hadn't waited even 5 minutes when I spotted Leslie and her bright yellow VW Golf. The 1 hour drive out to West Jeddore was lovely, with that wonderful near-the-ocean smell. As I arrived before the other workshop participant, Sarah, I got first pick of the two guest rooms, and chose the White Room. The fuzzy pictures probably say something about my state, but I actually kind of like them that way.

I loved that clever use of a pillow slip to cover the ceiling light and the way my blue water bottle fit right in with the decor. And I loved this view from the window.

Just to the left, visible when I was lying in bed, was Jeddore Bay, a void of foggy mist on some nights and reflecting the twinkling lights of East Jeddore on others.

More to come.