Around Saint John and Shediac

Saturday 26th September to Thursday 8th October
Just hanging out in Quispamsis for a couple of weeks with visits to see baby Nathan, seen here with dad Teddy:


and grandad Tim:


The deer as so plentiful and tame here it's not the least bit unusual to see them grazing in gardens:


Friday 9th October
Tim became very friendly with his parish priest Richard McConnell who subsequently moved from Rothesay to Shediac.

Richard and his wife Gwen had invited Tim and Jean plus Tim's cousin (twice removed), Richard and wife Heather, to stay with them for Thanksgiving. We were to just 'tag along' with The Big Easy so we would have somewhere to sleep.

So, early in the afternoon we set out north, initially to make a Costco stop (the one in Saint John isn't open yet) and then on to Shediac. We kind of ruined the aspect of the rectory when we parked right in front:


We got a warm welcome and before too long we were celebrating thanksgiving with food and drink and a house full of people.

Saturday 10th October
The men were up and out for a 'religious' breakfast - a new one for yours truly. The ladies had a more leisurely start to the day and had a trip to Frenchys (another version of Value Village) - a maritime tradition.

When all were assembled, we piled into a couple of cars and headed to Bouctouche up the coast to do some touristy stuff.

One of the highlights was a stop at this antique store.


The building you see actually houses a wood carver who created the strange structure. He also has created many quirky and odd carvings such as his future casket:


He seems to specialize in friezes, one of which portrays Chris DeBurgh's Spanish Train song and many more including this one showing Pierre Elliot Trudeau (click on it for more detail):


Back at the rectory we had a a terrific meal and much wine:


Sunday 11th October
Sunday morning and it's off across the road to church for some hymn singing.


It's quite a beautiful well-maintained church - a wealthy parish.

After church we had lunch at a Shediac restaurant where Richard and Gwen's daughter intends to learn the proctical side of being a chef.

After stuffing oursleves at the buffet, it was decided a walk onthe beach was in order so with dogs, Buddy and Tiny (Richard and Gwen's goofy Doberman) we walked down and along the beach a little.


As you can see the beach was pretty much deserted unlike the summer months when hoards of tourists (mostly from Quebec) descend on Shediac and cover every square inch.

After a brisk walk it was back to home base for happy hour and supper.

Monday 12th October
Richard is an avid sailor and keeps his daysailer at the weekend place they have built up in Bay du Vin where Gwen grew up. Monday was the day we were to all take a drive up to see it and have lunch there.

On the way we took the opportunity to take the road which goes through a federal park where we stopped for a walk out into the wet lands.


and down to the beach. Here's Tiny (with metal bracket on broken leg) with wind-swept owners (and Carol).


Back in the car and off to the end of the trip at Bay du Vin (nothing to do with wine).

Their weekend retreat and eventual retirement spot is very remote and quiet.


Quite beautiful. Richard never wants to leave once he gets there.


That's an Irish flag in the background.

Once lunch was over we headed back to Shediac, said our goodbyes and thankyous, picked up the RV and then trundled our way back to Quispamsis. A very enjoyable and memorable Thanksgiving all in all.

Tuesday 13th October to Wednesday 28th October
More hanging about in Quispamsis as various weather fronts roll through with one that caused serious flooding in Saint John.

Highlights included a trip to The Irving Nature Park with Buddy - a 'must do' whenever we are here.


There are birds to be hand-fed.


And new to the area since we last came there are foxes.


People are feeding them (a bad idea) which is making them way too tame. That fellow above walked right up to me.

Thursday 29th October
Our time in New Brunswick is coming to a close. Once the car is put into winter storage after the 1st November we will be able to go south and get to warmer climes. The RV is not winterized and the nights are getting much colder.

Before we went we wanted to see Peter and Carolyn LeBlanc, friends of Jean and Tim who had invited us over to their beautiful place on the river several times before. So we decided to invite them over to Jean and Tim's with Carol making her world famous bouillabaisse. With extra invites for Teddy and Kim (and of course baby Nathan) we had a full table. No pics though - forgot.