The Ouseys in Victoria Page

Monday morning and we survived the hurricane. Actually around Greenwood we only got gusts to 48 Km/h so it wasn't to bad. Halifax on the other hand at gusts up to 118 km/h. Glad we were here.

Well off we go. Will post when I can.

I just noticed some of my recent blogs have not published. They have been reposted.

We are leaving Greenwood, finally, after 10 wonderful days, of visiting, eating, drinking and general merry making. It was really great seeing many "old" friends. So if we survive Hurricane Juan, we will depart tomorrow for Annapolis Royal and coninure our visit of N.S. About the 15th we will head for the the good ole US of A. May be offline for awhile, but will post whenever I can.

Went to a VPI meeting yesterday and enjoyed that very much, they don't often have guests from Victoria. Went again through the museum and saw the portion just opened. They recovered and restored the TCPT, which is the Tactical Crew Procedures Trainer. Essentially it was identical to the tactical compartment of the Argus and it was where many crew spent many hours practising tactics on catching submarines. I certainly did and in fact was on staff of the TCPT in 1966. Brought back many memories. We have decided to spend the weekend. The weather has been so great we don't want to leave. However we will be leaving monday. We have found a nice campground near Annapolis Royal and we will spend a couple of days there prior to circumnavigating NS. We will eventually get to Halifax and will probably head for the USofA Mid October.

Today we toured Berwick and the Funday coast from Mordent to Margaretville. Fun day. Now to dinner.

Just been having a ball. So much to see and to visit that we will probably spend the coming weekend here too. Got some great pictures from Bob Potyuk of the reunion, fortunately I have Bob's computer to download them. Had a wonderful dinner with Bob and Elaine Jordan. Very gracious people. Bob did a great BBQ, all the food on the BBQ, besides the pork, he did Eggplant, Sweet potatoe, Zucchini, regular potatoes. He is an expert. It was really great to see them. We visited the VPI HQ bldg, and am going there again today. Also the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum is quite well put together. Some really great displays, inside and out. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the valley. Last night we had dinner with the Elieffs, super roast and stuff put together by Marcie. Bob, Andy, Derry and I golfed yesterday at the 14 Wing Greenwood Course. Great weather, great friends, lousy score but hey you can't have everything.

Healthwise we are all doing well, even Chuffley. Bob has been a gracious host allowing us to park here, however, he is selling the farm and we feel he is going to miss it when it is gone. It is a lovely piece of property.

Carolyn calls time to do some more touring, shopping and stuff.

Yesterday we wandered around many old haunts, not recognizing some, but very familiar in others. Took some pictures of that which brought back memories. We stopped to visit Bob and Elaine Jordan. Bob was an old boss of mine and they built this spectacular house in the early 80's. All the solar heat capture technology etc. She has it beutifully landscaped and now runs a B&B from it. We had a tremendous visit and are returning tonight for dinner along with Brian and Shiela Wattie who were also at the reunion and are also good friends of Bob and Elaine.

Otherwise, changed the Oil in the MH and today changeing the Air Filter and now back to the touring.

Continue to enjoy the hospitality of Bob and his farm. Had another party last night, a pot luck. His new friend Marilyn arrived last night and they are off today doing the rally, finishing up in Yarmouth for the night then a golf game tomorrow. We expect them back tomorrow night. In the meantime Carolyn and I spent the morning with some mundane chores, laundry, wash the rig, etc. This afternoon we are touring.

We are in Greenwood. Well Middleton to be exact. Bob Sexton has gratiously allowed us to park our MotorHome on his 34 acres just north of Middleton. So we will be here for a few or so days visiting more friends and areas. We are looking forward to seeing the Jordans, and Bossons as they were not at the reunion. As well we will look up some places we haven't seen for awhile, including the ZX air museum and VPI HQ. (VPI is Maritime Patrol Aviation International) a group I belong to and who are HeadQuartered here in Greenwood. We are all healthy including Chuffley and for that matter the Motorhome too.

Wednesday 17th Travelled to Truro and found a WalMart to stay in overnight. Bought a new battery for the car. Yes they get their money somehow.

Thursday 18th, we pulled into Greenwood. Bob Sexton offered to put us up on his farm. He has 5 acres between Middleton and Nictaux Falls. Lots of room to park. Will stay here a few days and visit, site see, and do even more reminiscing. Bob has invited some mutual friends over for a BBQ tonight. Now that I have a phone line I can catch up on Email.

Sunday 14th. Today we left Summerside and headed for the Marco Polo Campground at Cavendish. It is one of the lovliest commercial campgrounds around. Large sites and very well maintained and all the amenities. Reasonably priced too. The weather has just been fantastic, sunny and warm (mid to upper 20's) every day. Of course the island wouldn't be the island without wind, but even that has been moderate.

Monday 15th Another beautiful day. However, we are keeping an eye on that hurricane that are expecting is expected to hit Eastern USA by weeks end. It may travel up to Ont/Que but we just better watch out for it and its fringe weather. We should be in Greenwood by then. Went to the lovely red beaches of Cavendish and walked, and walked, in the surf, over the dunes. Wonderful. PEI is still an idealic spot to visit. Tomorrow Carolyn and Sheila (of Brian and Sheila Wattie) are going to Anne of Green Gables Cottage and museum. I will affect some minor repairs while they are away. Brian and Sheila (old friends) were also at the reunion, they have just retired, bought a trailer and headed off to the reunion and holidays 2 days after retiring.

Tuesday 16th. A wee bit more cloud this morning, it just might be cooler. Carolyn and Sheila getting ready to go to Anne of GG's place. Fiddled with my travelling lights on the car and they are working properly again. Carolyn returned and we headed to Charlottetown. Basically nothing much changed there except for the edge of town big box stores and more development. Downtown was as quaint as ever. Did some shopping (ok nothing new there) and returned in time for snacks prior to Dinner. The restuarant at the Campground "The Galley" has a good rep. so we are trying it oiut with the Watties. They are also leaving tomorrow for Halifax as we leave for Greenwood. Still watching that storm.

About half the crowd arrived on Thursday and the rest on Friday. Saw many friends that we expected to see and many which we didn't. All-you-could eat Mussels and corn on the cob were served both Thursday and Friday evening. Saturday was a golf day in which I entered did terribly but won a golf hat on a draw. Saturday several of our friends from on particular original training course (1960) got together for cocktails and pictures prior to the windup dinner. That was a highlight of the reunion. Later we were treated to a Lobster dinner which was served to the tables most efficiently considering they were serving 800, with the help of the cadet wing. Military band playing, much memorabilia to see and friends to talk to. A very pleasant evening. Sunday morning finale was a brunch at the the restaruant that catered the meals. Overall a very well run reunion, one which we will remember for a long time.

Today we are off to Cavendish Provincial Park for a couple of days of recuperating and then off to Greenwood NS.

Sep 6 (Sat) After heartfelt goodbyes, we left Wpg mid morning. Still managed to get to Thunder Bay. Stayed at Walmart there. Pretty quiet and early night.

Sep 7 (Sun) up at the crack of 9:00 (our bodies said 8:00 - since they were still on Wpg time) and on our way about 10:00, Traffic light over Lake Superior and much hillier than I remember, but then the last time was with a car not a 8 and half ton behemoth. Didn't quite make Sault St Marie, but darn near. Unfortunately too dark to find anything but a weigh station just this side of SSM. Very large and surprisingly quiet. Could have used a real campground and a real shower. Tomorrow night for sure, hopefully somewhere near Ottawa.

Sep 8 (Mon) Made it to Ottawa, our longest day 834 km, could have been 20 km shorter had we not gotten lost on our way to the Place de Orleans where one of the WalMarts is located. Turned out to be a Mall, however, Mall "Guest Services and Security" said we could park in the mall lot. So all was well. Turned out to be a good quiet spot. Tomorrow night will be the campground somewhere near Riviere du loup.

Sep 9 (Tues) Got away early and just as well, nightmare going through Montreal. One side of freeway closed for paving, lost nearly an hour. However, once through there it was clear sailing. MH running well, averaging 9.9 mpg (28.5 L/100km for you metrically minded). Passed Riviere du Loup and went on to Cabano, 50 klicks passed the Loup. Stopped at "Camping Cabano". Nice spot, all amenities, including showers. Got here early, only a 650 km short day. Good time to relax, freshen up for a similar 640 km run into Summerside tomorrow.

Sep 10 (Wed) We made it from Winnipeg to Summerside in 5 long days averaging 725 km day. Chuffley is healthy but glad we are in one spot. We just registered for the reunion. They hit the cut off of 800 people. Seeing many friends already. The "camp spot" is a parking lot with electrical and water hookups. Sani dump nearby and a place to shower and do laundry. So it is OK for what we need.

We had an excellent trip through Everett, Spokane, on to Glacier National Park with Kathie and Andy Balogh. The trip on the "Going to the Sun road" was through much smoke. A large fire was still burning but generally under control and the park was still open. We eventually broke through to clear air at altitude and was treated to some specaular scenery. We proceeded to Yellowstone Nat. Park and spent 3 days touring the many scenic spots there; Old Faithful, many other geysers, animal life, including Bison, Elk, Eagles, Deer and other various species, though we never saw a bear, grizzley or otherwise. Very beautiful country. After this we parted company with Kathie and Andy, where they headed to Saskatoon and continue their holidays, we continued to Winnipeg for a family visit and continue our grand adventure.

Motorhome was running generally good, but had some problems with the differential, which is being repaired while in Winnipeg. Lucky we found the problem here before it getting more serious in the middle of nowhere. All going well we will continue East tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 6. Great visit with my Mom and brother Dennis and sister-in-law Catherine, always the great hosts, as well was our visit with Carolyn's Aunt Merle and cousin Betty.

I'll continue with posts to this BLOG site when I can. Hope all is well back home. I am monitoring email whenever I get a connection and my email hasn't changed, no large attachments please. Cheers for now.

This is the method of choice I have selected to keep all informed of our progress on this little adventure we are on.