Over to Prince Edward Island

 

Welcome to Nova Scotia

Before our trip started, we were concerned about the New Brunswick entry restrictions and procedures. Just before the trip though, New Brunswick threw open their borders, so we thought "good to go". We didn't realize that both Nova Scotia and PEI had entry controls now! Pat told us about the PEI requirements, when we were in St Andrews, so we had applied online and got our pre-approvals for PEI.

After leaving St Andrews we had an uneventful drive to Nova Scotia, where Cathie wanted a stop at Deanne Fitzpatrick's rug-hooking studio. Before we could enter Nova Scotia though, we were stopped at the border:

 

A pleasant young fellow asked if we had pre-registered to enter, and we hadn't. Once he discovered that we had our PEI entry "passport" though, and were double-vaccinated, we were waved through. Whew!

Cathie had another nice visit to Deanne's shop in nearby Amherst, and supported their sales efforts:

Always working, at Deanne's

After leaving Deanne's it was back on the trail to PEI:

 

Because Pat had told us that we needed to get a PEI passport, basically to pre-clear for entry due to Covid concerns, this sign didn't scare us (much):

Onward across the bridge to PEI

Once across though, this awaited:

 

Once through the paperwork, we were obliged to have a Covid test, one of the more superficial rapid ones. They just did one person per car, so I was volunteered, as it's easier to test the driver the way things were set up. This was the first Covid test either of us has had. Not real pleasant, but not as bad as we understand the more invasive test to be. No news was good news later, so we're clear, and on our way to Stratford PEI.

We love seeing the mudflats

Aaahhh, parked at our favorite site, N&P's driveway

Later on once things had cooled off some, we went for a short hike in the neighborhood:

That's Charlottetown over there

Walking on Pat's trail

The trail is on town property, behind a new apartment building. There used to be a trail here before the apartment construction closed it. Once construction was done and the trail reopened, it was very overgrown so Pat got permission from the town to mow it, a lovely place for an evening stroll.

 

 

A couple of days in St Andrews NB

We have been relaxing around St Andrews for the past couple of days. Cathie's sister Nancy and her hubby Pat came for a visit, staying at an inn in town. It's been almost 2 years since Cathie and Nancy have had a visit, for the usual modern reason, and a good time was had by all.

As I had mentioned earlier, deer roamed the campground, really all over town. 

Fawns being "shown the ropes"

 Morning at the nearby shores...

Cathie, Nancy and Pat visited the town on Market morning (I was a bit under the weather).

Lunch at Kingsbrae Gardens Cafe

 

Kingsbrae Gardens scenery in the background

Later at our campsite, Cathie and Nancy continued their ongoing Cribbage tournament (a close 2-0 for Nancy this time, 2-1 for the day):

After a fine dinner out in the afternoon (yes, I recovered for that!) we walked around town a bit. The cannons mark the site of the morning Market:

Today we're bidding Adieu to St Andrews, heading for our exclusive parking spot in Nan & Pat's driveway in Stratford PEI.

 

Just a beautiful day in St Andrews NB

It was a beautiful day today and we took advantage. 

Lots of whitetail deer roam the campground

 

Down to the shore for a bit first of course. Not terribly interesting as the tide was in. It's more interesting when it's out, when there are large mudflats and lots of bird activity. So we biked to town for a bit of a tour.

At the main dock, a group was heading out for a water tour:

Several tour operations are based in town. Many private boats are moored to buoys too, out where the boats still float at low tide, and the owners get to them via small runabouts from the main dock.

A wild rose along the shore was still in bloom, attracting the bees:

Flaps down, coming in for a landing

Then we headed for nearby St Stephen for some shopping. First, fuel for the van. Then we spotted a Canadian Tire. I needed to replace a wiring connector used with the bike hitch. Then grocery shopping. Not very exciting, but we found everything we needed. 

After lunch we toured St Stephen a bit. The main crossing to the US used to be right in town, so we were through here a number of times in earlier years. There's still a crossing here, but no duty-free store. That has moved to the relocated main crossing, a few kilometres north of town. The small downtown area was much less busy than earlier years, as all the border traffic went right through the main street. Now there's a nice small-town feel, busy but not crazy, a nice place to visit.

There's a small town park right off the main street, so we stopped there for a walk.

A statue of an early surveyor, I'd assume Mr Ganong

The tide was going out, showing large mudflats

Over on the right is the bridge to the US, still used

This is all deeply covered at higher tide

We intended to bike to nearby Minister's Island at some point (and did, later). On the way home today though, we stopped in to see the land bridge that is usable at low tides:

The gravel bar the cars are on is totally covered at higher tide

Even a busload at the tour entrance today

On the upper horizon is a large barn worth touring. We did, some years ago.

Once back in town, the route to the campground goes right through part of the Algonquin Hotel:

Some people even look before they cross, but some don't

Later on, about 5pm, we did finally bike to Minister's Island. Their tide table said the land bridge was usable until 4:15 today, so would be getting covered now.

The start of the gravel bar is still visible, but not usable now

Earlier there was a busload over there signing in for a tour

Along the way, one fellow is always ready for winter:

Double snowmobile trailer

 

The bike tour took us just an hour for the round trip to the Minister's Island landing and back, with a couple of side tours. The very nice town trail, the Van Horne, is mostly paved and lots of water views.

The trail is at the bottom and right side

 
 

 

 

 

Moved to Kiwanis Oceanfront Campground

Across the road from the campground

We had a short relaxing journey today, after yesterday's marathon. We had reserved for 3 nights at the St Andrews Kiwanis Oceanfront Campground in St Andrews New Brunswick. Because of yesterday's drive though, we could arrive there a day early, so called to see if they had a site. They were able to extend our 3 nights to 4 at the same site (#3 1/2) so we headed that way.

There were lots of moose warnings along the way. We didn't see any moose, but this sign gives a good sense of the size of a moose compared to a car:

 

Later on the way Cathie had to stop at Briggs and Little woollen mill, right on our route today.  What a coincidence eh!  :))

Some of Briggs and Little stock

Once in camp we wasted no time in getting comfortable, we're both tired from yesterday's drive:

A bike/hike trail runs right behind the campground, just the other side of these trees

Our little screened tent will be welcome shelter

 Today's journey: