What a treat: Deer island

1st-4th October

Stonington and Goose Cove. On Deer Island, Maine.

What a treat. 

I spent my first night only, in Stonington, as I stuffed up the accommodation. However, Goose cove where I stayed the next 3 nights, was even more wonderful and reminded me of Laurieton. 

Stonington:

A quaint little fishing village, that's existence economically is supplemented with tourism in summer. Due to the very harsh winter conditions many residents venture to warmer Florida for the winter. 

Amazing what one can find in a fishing village. I enjoyed a night out to see the showing of the top 10 finalist short videos for 2015. 

Stonington

Stonington

And again.

Goose cove:

The Inn where I stayed was the only accommodation in Goose cove. This rustic Inn, badly in need of work, consisted of a few rooms, a Portuguese restraunt and many cabins in the woods. My room looked onto the water and I was the only one staying there at the time. I loved it all.

The Inn

View from the restraunt.

The entrance to the Inn.

Typical cabin.

The cove and surrounding woods were breathtaking. I do have an affinity with the sea.

Goose cove nature reserve.

Meeting the Locals:

Listening to a guitarist, at the Inn over dinner, on the Saturday night, Valerie, one of the local ladies invited me to their table. She then invited me to Church, the next morning. I initially said no. However, I was intrigued because she said "you would love it" and "it is no ordinary church". Interesting???

They call this Musical Jam session "The Church of the Morning after"

Valerie.

Venue: Steve's fishing shed.

Great music

The lobster fisherman have a musical jam session every Sunday after a big night out. It was great music and I got to meet the locals. What a treat. 

Valerie and Jude invited me back for morning tea and then we went to another Deer island gem.

Sand beach.

Valerie and Jude.

I had a wonderful few hours with these two ladies, as they shared their life stories. They had so much wisdom. I would have loved to spend more time with them.

Deer Island is full of surprises.

Nervous Nellie's jam's and jellies: 

A place that combines Metal Art by Peter Beerits and Jam making.

Welcome.

Garden Art.

My faviourite.

Jam's

 

Now for the city experience: Burlington then Montreal

6th October

I drove from Deer Island to Burlington, where I dropped the little Cooper off. The plan was to sus out the next cities , staying at Airbnb accommodation in the city centres.

Burlington, two nights.

I stayed with a lovely Lady, retired teacher and her adorable labrador, River. I did't get to see much of Burlington, as I spent one of the two days in the library, completing a two day late, pre course assignment. This "going with the flow" is not good for deadlines. I guess it's flexibility?? 

However I had a bike ride and found some really healthy eating.

She was gorgeous.

8th october

Montreal 4 nights: 

A 5 hr bus ride from Burlington over the border to Montreal.

Montreal reminded me of Europe, with its beautiful old city and the french speaking people. I airbnb ed with a young vibrant lawyer and her cat Daphne, in a mod apartment, in the heart of the city. 

Marie Claude went above and beyond as a host, taking me to an amazing breakfast place my first morning, great advice re the sights and organised my very important and very overdue hair cut. Interesting! getting my hair cut and coloured when my hairdresser had limited English. I was very nervous and animated.

A highlight was going to see a Jaz band. One advantage of being a solo traveller, is its easy for them to find you a spot when you didn't book. And they love Aussie's. 

Marie Claude's appartment

Check out the breakfast! 

The rest room where we had Breakfast!!!! 

  Montreal.

It was cold 

Old Montreal. 

The feet theme continues.

We were both happy with the result.

This spin class was none like I had done before. Total body, push ups, weights, core, stretches all on the bike. I was nearly sick. The problem was that the instructor enthusiastically said "you are stronger than you think" A familiar neural pathway was tapped into and I forgot my age and fitness level.  

Inside the apartment. 

Cats love you when you ignore them. 

A very pretty place. 

The old city.