GNAB touring Day 1

Today has been a competition of who has taken more steps and walked further. Gwen is upset that she forgot her phone in the hotel tonight when we went for supper so she is out with (14,253 for 11.92 km). 

Blair has (13,556 steps for and undisclosed number of steps). Adam is the winner with 17,975 steps and 12.71 km. I think the app is a little off as I would expect Gwen to take more steps but not necessarily walk further. Needless to say, we are tired and our feet are sore. It will be interesting to see how we feel tomorrow.  

We started off the day with breakfast at the hotel. Not much conversation was had, we were mostly trying to wake up. But then as coffee and tea was consumed, conversation picked up as we were more awake. Then, A and G took a short trek to get the rental van from a Thrifty rental outlet co-located in a truck centre. 

Starting our walk

Getting the van

With keys in hand, we loaded the van, loaded up with Tims and then were off to see the Hopewell Rocks.

Arriving shortly after high tide, we were able to see the change with water around the flower pot outcrops of rock and then the low tide contrast with no water and we were able to walk on the floor of the Bay of Fundy, among the rocks. Here are some pictures from the adventure:

High tide

Low tide

Afterwards, we made our way to Moncton for lunch - at 3 o'clock. A restaurant was entered into the GPS and we made our way to the destination, only to find out that the GPS was out of date. So, we searched the Google, found the actual address and then entered that into the GPS and made our way back to downtown Moncton for lunch. 

Tide and Bore - located at 700 Main Street Moncton, not somewhere up Elmwood road...

Boar Poutine - braised wild boar on Poutine (fries, cheese curds and gravy). Soooo good

After lunch, and armed with more Tims, Gwen started the trek to Halifax:

Lola at the wheel

Entering NS

The drive was good, through some areas of rain and not without a few naps in the back seat:

Upon arriving in Halifax, we had to make a detour over a different bridge when we found out, at the foot of the bridge, that the bridge was closed. Oh well, we were able to experience more of the greater Halifax metropolitan. 

Even though we only ate a few hours prior, it was time to head out to find some more food as we would certainly become hungry shortly. Supper consisted of mostly appetizers (and beers) and was had on the waterfront a short walk from the hotel. 

The restaurant - Gahan Restaurant

The crew

After supper, we took a short stroll down the waterfront, mostly to walk off some of the food that we just ate. 

Gwen with Theodore the tugboat

We are now comfortably seated on the beds, bellies full and ready for a good nights sleep. And feet elevated, throbbing form the multiple miles we put on today. 

BANG on the move (Nadine thought of a better acronym)

We got to Toronto, and first stop.... Washrooms, not for Lola as she went on the plane.

We ate lunch as McCools in the airport,  then headed to the lounge where Adam is lucky enough to have passes earned from all his work travels.

They had food there, but nothing GF (Gwen friendly), so drinks it was.

Then to the gate we went. The lady at the front desk told us it would take us 15 minutes to get to the Gate, but only took us 6 minutes... We didn't doddle as Lola doesn't like it when you hear this is the final boarding call for flight to Fredricton and you are on your way to the gate.  

Once boarded, we had our free drinks, read books and magazines, as well as lots of staring out the window. It's fun to fly when the cloud cover is above you and you can see most of the way.  It isn't so much fun when the seats are pretty hard on your back, and a little kid kicks you the whole 2 hour flight....

Free wine and beer... Adam had wine I had tomato juice.

Went around the clouds.

Looking out the window.

New Brunswick down below.

Pretty excited to get to here.  Captain just can to announce only15 more minutes, time to put my shoes on, put the Ipad away and make sure I don't miss anything cool out the window.

Made it to Fredricton.  Rental car place is closed, so will have to wait till the morning to get our car. In the mean time, cab ride to the hotel, supper, sleep and hope for a good start tomorrow!

Lola

BNAG take on the Maritimes

Alarm goes off at 6:39.... Snooze hit

Alarm goes off at 7:00... Time to get up, taxi coming at 7:30

Doorbell rings at 7:03... Blair and Nadine arrive (about 15 minutes early, as we had to quickly get dressed to unlock the door), I think they were a little excited, as they both couldn't sleep well last night.

Get picked up by the cab, and off we went to the airport.  Checked our 2 bags, and to security we went.  The line was long, all the way out the door.  Blair was surprisingly quite patient. 

Through security, Adam and Lola met a lady the performed at Fringe that had a bird.  That was a first, a little sparrow that doesn't fly, so she just carried it on her hand through the metal detector.  The security agents had so switch as the lady was afraid of birds.  The bird could be hidden in her one hand.

Off to gate 6, were Lola didn't get Tim's as the line was too long, and we waited.  Lola's boss was also on his way to Toronto for work, so he came to visit.  His flight left 5 minute before ours, and on air canada, so it was a quick visit, but nice of him to come and chat.

Loaded in the plane, almost all the way at the back.  It was a good take off and super smooth flight so far.  Blair and Lola staring out the window for at least the first 25 minutes of the flight.  The quilt work of the fields are beautiful right now,  also looking at all the infrastructure, like the lagoon at Dugald.  Nadine and Adam reading their books.

The travel day is going well so far! Next stop Toronoto where Adam has printed off west jet lounge passes for us to relax and get some food and drink else while we wait for our flight to Fredricton.  I think we are still on schedule, as we have made a detailed schedule to make sure we get the most out of our trip.

It is currently 10:14 (CST) and Nadine is sleeping, Blair is sleeping, Adam is reading (falling asleep) and Lola is watching tv and Blogging (doesn't look like sleeping is on the menu)

Lola may be get in trouble for this photo!

We are all excited to see where our adventure takes us! Excited to travel during a significant year.  Celebrating milestone birthdays, and anniversaries (50,5,50,30, 30 and another 29!). We haven't traveled together (fantastic four) since we had a great time in Montreal.  No skiing/snowboarding this time... But seafood, ocean, and topography! And maybe a little history.

Time to try and get to the lavatory.

Lola

First hockey playoff for "garbage goals"

Well Lola hasn't been to a game in a while, so finally the hour is decent that she can come.  Game was supposed to start at 7... But the other team had some complications, not sure what, but they only had 3 players to start.  The game eventually  started about 15 minutes late. The other team now as 7 skaters while AA team has 14.

Currently the score is 4-2 in the second. Let's hope for a win.

AA getting ready for the face off!

We had a busy weekend. Adam got home from montreal on Friday, we had a certification group team building exercise at the goldeyes game, then off to a Mankewhich wedding, christened the new king house with lunch delevered which consisted of fresh rye bread and Swartz smoked meat, and now at hockey.

5 days of work left and then a week of vacation.  We can't wait!

Hope you all had a great weekend😎

Lola

Ps score is now 4-3... Hope they can pull this off.

This makes it just a little better

I guess this is one of the perks of flying often - the elusive free upgrade to business class. Excellent!

Fridays

I was supposed to blog last night but fell asleep, so now here it is. 

As much as I would have been able to catch a flight last night, the prices and/or schedules were not very appealing. For much less, j was able to get a little bit more work done and get a good night sleep. 

Now starts the return trip for another fun Friday. Hopefully can get through what I want on the plane to let me be prepared for the other unplanned activities that will undoubtedly come up. 

Yesterday was a nice sunny day here in Montreal. And, it wasn't too hot - only around 24*C. It was nice enough that I decided to walk between plants (well, that was a factor but so too was the shift change and the fact it would take me the same time to get out of one parking lot as it would to walk the entire way. 

Walking to my car

My car

Inside my car

Dinner last night was at one of Lola's favourite West Island restaurants - Jack Astors, very similar to Original Joes except this restaurant has a dinning room side not only a lounge. 

After dinner it was time to take the Challenger out for a drive to pick up some smoked meat to bring home. I really wanted a bagel but both bagel shops I drove by had no parking, and I was not very interested in trying to find some parking. 

Oh well, there is always next time as I'm sure I will be here again - hopefully not too soon, I'm ready for a vacation. 

Challenger

I guess the title of this post can be taken two ways. 

#1. I'm in Montreal to do an inspection on a Challenger (350)

#2. I got a Dodge Challenger as a rental car. 

For the same price as a Camry, I could get a challenger. So why not?!?!

Now how am I going to work tomorrow when I have this thing? Hopefully all inspections go according to plan and I will be done by 2pm and catch a 6 pm flight home.