All things Canadian

Miscellaneous rambling. Gail screwed up and posted a blog after this so this info is out of order. Oh well, you'll get the idea.


Bills got the computer first this morning so he gets to start this.  Yesterday, (last Friday), we had a 39 mile day from N. Sydney, NS to Baddeck, NS.  We were here by noon.  Got settled into our new campground, where we'll be for a week.  Got the Primo spot here.  Right next to the office.  Sitting outside I feel like Walter the Wal-Mart greeter.  "Hi, How are ya?"  Wave to the newest neighbor just coming in.  Life doesn't get any better than this.  We were invited to go for a kayak paddle this morning but with the outside temp at 60, it wasn't hard to pass.  Remember, our kayaks are "sit-a-tops" and we get our keesters wet.  A scenic drive will be much better.  We're obviously not "hardy and hale" like these Canadians.   BRRRRRR  OK, actually we were invited by a couple from Arizona but their kayak is dry.  


It's a holiday weekend up here so the park is going to be completely full.  We noticed the most popular camping trailer is the pop up, especially for families. There aren't a lot of 5th wheels or motor homes. Most of those are the Americans. Several caravans have been at the camps too. These are groups of 10 or more rvs, signed up to go to the Atlantic provinces, Alaska, Mexico, etc with a guide and program. There were quite a few waiting to board the ferry to NL. We'd rather be on our own.

Hmmm

Let's go shopping. It's been kind of sticker shock for grocery shopping.
Beer $12.00 a 6 pack. We share and sip now.


Wine, I pay $5-6 for name brands at Walmart or grocery stores, here at least $12.00. I'm out of stuff I bought in Maine so I guess I'll wait till we get back in Maine


Drank all of the tequila, bottle cost $15.00 at home, $35.00 here! No more margaritas till Maine


Chicken, $8.00/kg (about $4.00/lb whole), breast $5.00, thighs $6.00, legs even more.
Beef is high, hamburger over $5.00/kg


There are some nice grocery stores, and we find bargains but we don't fill the shopping cart at a time. Oh and milk, $3-4/gal at home, $6.35 in mainland NS and out on the island, $7.50!  Bill sips it too now.


Gas runs around $1.09/liter, diesel around $1.00. That makes it over $4.00/gal. Unfortunately, the truck doesn't sip it.

Popular eating place!

And so it goes with most food items. We think maybe the reason everything is so high is all information is in English and French. Double sided writing on packages, signs, road info, on and on. It's a mystery.


Then add 15% HST (Harmonized sales tax)!


Well, that does it for now, better publish this before it's too out of date.