Blackduck59

The batter is excellent crisp and thin. Saltys is a chain of franchise stores but this particular one is different. The address is lyledotduck at shawdotca. A few others have it as well

I assure you I did eat it 😁

Check out HAL Zaandam cruise that sails 23 Aug 2023, see you there 😉

The bonus is the cruise starts on my 64th birthday.

Yes I think we will Fly in to Boston at least 2 days before the cruise. There is much to see, I want to go to the JFK Library. His funeral is one of my earliest childhood memories. We will stay a couple nights in Montreal before we take the train to Ottawa for a couple nights before we fly home.

Thank you, that sounds very interesting. We are booked for a Boston to Montreal on Zaandam in August next year. The ports are Boston, Portland Maine, St John New Brunswick, Halifax Nova Scotia, Cornerbrook Newfoundland, Charlottetown PEI, Saguenay Quebec, Quebec City and Montreal.

The Maritime provinces were hit by "post tropical storm" Fiona abut 4 days ago. Louisburg is on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Sydney Nova Scotia is on Cape Breton Island. There were cruise ships in the area when the storm hit, Zaandam put in to Halifax the next day but of course the port was closed to visitors. Much of the itinerary was changed because of the storm.

That is a lot like the B52 at spitfire as you know Les. No beans on a B52 but there is streaky bacon and ham as well as 2 really good snags. I think it is still under $20.00, I'll probably find out tomorrow.

It doesn't get nearly as cold here on Vancouver island and we will definitely have rain. We can have wind and rain storms as well, but nothing like what just went through the Maritimes. Lynn's brother lives in Louisburg and his house received a fair bit of damage.

Yes coleslaw is pretty much the standard side with fish and chips here. Both our "go to" places have good slaw.

There is a rather stubborn fire on the north end of the island, very steep terrain and hard to fight. It is making smoke that is also seen and smelled here on the south island. I'm sure the rain is coming it's just taking it's time. We get yellow leaves but not the vibrant reds and oranges the the east is famous for. Our maple trees are a different species.

Mushy peas really aren't a thing here Uncle Les, even if I did want them. If I had opened up the shot more you would see the white and malt vinegar, the salt (and pepper) Ketchup and tartar sauce. All available as you like.

I'm sorry to hear you are getting soaked Les, we wouldn't mind a little rain, there has been less than 5mm in the last 60 days.

So it was halibut and chips tonight. We dined in, it's so much better than take away.

Welcome to the wet coast Clay. Bright sunshine today. I hope the weather continues for you.

Yes an expense, I think mine was about that price in Canadian dollars. I rarely use it. You could take the opportunity to buy one of the world famous Cowichan sweaters while you are in the area. They aren't cheap but are very warm even when wet. Enjoy your trip.

I was just looking at your packing list and a Marino wool base layer would be a good addition...I know too late now.

Cheers Clay. I'm looking forward to hearing about your HAL cruise. Safe travels to the wet coast (that being said it hasn't been very wet here for months).

You are paying how much for a cruise? And you're worried about a jug of water that costs less than 5 bucks? Just saying.

Thanks for the update Lyndon, I know the pain of dropping stuff on hard surfaces. For me it was my camera on the concrete floor of what's known as the McCrae bunker, a small aid station in Flanders near where McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields". The camera never worked properly again. 😟 I hope you are healing well from your bicycle mishap. Take care and be safe while you continue to enjoy your adventure. Cheers, Lyle

Ah yes the cost. The coat of arms of Canada does not change. Our laws are written in the name of "The Crown", oaths of allegiance to the Queen often included the words "heirs and successors" so are still valid. Document printed by "The Queens printer" don't suddenly become obsolete needing replacement, they will simply be used up and replaced in due course by documents printed by "The Kings Printer". Our money will continue as is and be replaced in due course as the old versions reach the end of their useful life as bank notes do. If we were a republic many of these changes would happen every 4 years so I think we got off easy for 70 years without having to change. Besides as it is the next 3 monarchs will all be Kings so we're probably good for another 70 years. Most of the "issues" you are rightfully concerned about have nothing to do with the Monarchy and everything to do with our elected officials. They're already well versed in wasting money without any help from "The Crown".

The TV has an off switch. As others have mentioned surely there are streaming options. I can understand sporting events in the UK being cancelled, but sports go on elsewhere. I would say those even reporting on what some former staffer has to say is just lame. Perhaps report on what your country will do about the funeral etc. Who is going? will there be a military contingent? What local arrangements are being made so that you may attend or avoid depending on your viewpoint. As it is the world is not likely to celebrate the life of a sovereign who served the role for 70 years ever again.

The only Monarch I have ever known has crossed the bar. I am sad by the passing of our Queen, she lead by example and was loved by millions. I wish good luck to our new King, he has a very hard act to follow.

For those who wanted updates, the last of the injured Police officers involved in the shoot out earlier in the summer was released from Hospital today. Seventy one days after the event. On another note, the suspect in the Saskatchewan stabbings was apprehended today. It has been a good day for law enforcement.

Geez Lyndon, I applaud your enthusiasm but a bicycle crash? really? Nothing quite like enjoying your European adventure walking with a limp. Take care, get better. It seems a shame you will have to use that ice on your knee instead of chilling a nice beverage.