Eau Canada

At 9:12pm Eastern Standard Time we pulled up to Canada customs, the only car in sight. Thought that I would see more and more number plates from the Maritimes and wondered how long it would take to get through, was ready to open the boot and have to explain all the strange chemicals in the car. photographic terrorism.

We waited until the customs officer came to the window.
-Hello, Bonjour. Where are you from?
-Wisconsin
-Chicago
-Are you U.S. citizens?
-yes
-yes
-What is the nature of your stay? Etc.
-Any firearms?
-Sorry, i'm laughing because i was brought up quaker.
-Do you have any liquor or tobacco?
-yes a 750 ml bottle of whiskey. No bourbon. It is a gift.
-It’s a gift?
-Oh yes it is a gift cannot stand the stuff myself I drink beer only.
-Let me rephrase this. Is it a gift knowing if you bring alcohol in as a gift rather than for personal consumption I have to tax it heavily.
-Oh oh, no, we’re drunks - don’t think it will make it to the Transcanada before it is finished. In fact we’ll start and finish it here.
-Have a good day.

10:17PM Atlantic time – five minutes later. We had made it – nearly – well not nearly at all - still two provinces to cross and now no leisurely ride in Cape Breton.

Forgot that we were entering Canada, forgot that the paranoia really does stop at the border. Realised that we could never joke coming the other way. I was happy that once again I was in a country based on general trust and good will rather than fear of anything different.

First Tim Horton’s sighting. Here so close to the border it was a Tim’s/Wendy’s.

Sped to Fredericton to find a Motel, again our 10PM curfew rule. Thinking that Fredericton was a large town and we would have no trouble finding an inexpensive place along the highway.

We were wrong. Found only three hotels. First the Delta downtown, out of the question. Then there was the Valhalla of motels – a renamed Country Inn complete with high speed internet service – but while waiting I found a cheaper one up the road. It had the same amenities and a full car park – first Newfoundland number plate spotted.

But they only had one room with one bed for too much money. Were there any other places in town? No only one and she directed us to it saying it looked bad on the outside but was clean. Retraced our steps and found the Town and Country cabins along the river. Booked the last cabin, and headed to the convenience to buy some water passing another, unmentioned and better looking, motel along the way.

740.1 miles driven.