Yogurt with granola, toast and a fruit bonanza next to the 'Pain Dore', fruit included something called pretty pear. ?? We challenge you to see how many different fruits you think are on the plate - no prizes though!
Headed out along the main highway, quite a few Monarch butterflies passing us, so far we have managed not to squash any on the windscreen.
We are very glad that we downloaded Navfree for Canada to the iPad, the roads are mostly very straight but the signage in and through the cities is very confusing. Mostly, following our Navfree guide has been good. Twice we thought we knew better than her, but then we went north instead of east, and the other time we hit a 5 mile tailback. So, we have learnt to pay attention to her - we've named her Flossie. The buses and lorries seem to go faster than the cars here, and so occasionally it's a bit like a scene from the film 'Deliverance', with the big American lorry fronts looming in the mirror. It's safer just to move out of their way (hears strumming of banjos in the background).
Some people in last night's B&B were from Calgary, where they said there'd been heavy snow, but that temperatures were predicted to rise to 20 deg C again by Saturday when we fly in to there, so it should be very pretty. We by-passed Montreal with its skyscrapers in the distance on the new freeway, including a toll bridge (only 2 CAD) , this price would be good on the Severn Bridge. We even drove under a canal suspended above the freeway. Lots more birds visible, quite a lot of raptors but going too fast to ID.
Turn off the main highway onto Route 2 and along the Long Sault Parkway (Sault is pronounced 'sue') and wend our way slowly between the Islands. Another rather stunning view of a bald eagle, and also other birds as we travel - yippee. Unfortunately didn't make it to the Upper Canada Bird Observatory as the road was quite a long unmade one. Weather very hot, 26 degrees today, good job the car has air conditioning. A visit to a ValueMart for some picnic goodies before we hit the Thousand Islands Parkway. Not quite as good views of the St Lawrence River (by now a river not a seaway) as on the other Parkway but found a good picnic spot, and had a very healthy late lunch.
Still seeing lots of Monarch butterflies, as well as dragonflies, raptors, herons, ducks and a blue jay. The United States are visible just across the water, and there are a set of bridges that connects Canada and the US. One of the cruises from Gananoque goes to Boldt Castle, which is in the United States, so you have to have your passport and all the other goodies you need to get into America, including your fingerprints - think we'll pass on that. Possibly a helicopter ride would be the best way to see the area.
Arrived in Gananoque in time for an evening constitutional to the marina and 'downtown' area. We are staying in an Irish Gastro Pub! There is a quiz tonight. View from our room is rather nice.
Selection of the days photos is below again.
Bald Eagle and Eric watching it soar above the river
Ducks on the Long. Sault. Parkway, awaiting ID - a bit far away!
Great Egret (Ardea alba) stalking some fish
Toll Bridge to United States of America - who'd want to pay?
after our Newark debacle, somewhere to be avoided.
Blue Jay
Houses on the Thousand Islands
Eric admiring the view from the Irish Gastro Pub bedroom
Looking back from the park towards the B&B - red building with loft window next to the tree
An Osprey seen from the park
Mini lighthouse at the marina in Gananoque
In the Sculpture Park
Heron
Fruits were banana, melon(3 varieties), fig, blue, black, straw, rasp berries, star fruit, pretty pear, pear(2 varieties), kiwi fruit, mango, grape, grapefruit, pineapple, orange.
Total fruit count = 22 when you include the peach, pomegranate and cape gooseberry in the starter.
