Sunday, July 3, 2011

The hunt is on.....

Shediac Bay on a rainy day.


So we have been here almost two weeks. We are in a camp site in Shediac, of which my only word to describe it is .... adequate. Yes guys my camping experiences just get better and yes I am whinging Debi! The inclement weather has not help improve my thoughts on living in a motor home at all... it sucks.
The famous Shediac Lobster ( just for you Nan?)


All this is not conducive to looking for houses. Everything looks so much better in the sunshine and yes I know the old adage.... if you like  it at it's worst bla bla.


It's quite a culture shock being here in the east, especially having lived in the west. New Brunswick is the only bi lingual province and it's very obvious not only in the language but in the style too.The language is a strange french ( Acadian) patois and the french style here is very,........... the only way I can describe it is 'dated'. Remember I am commenting on what I have seen so far and even the locals say that here is quite different to the french in Quebec ( or France for that matter) I am sure my French Canadian friend will have something to say ,won't you Carol?








We had been in touch with a realtor before we arrived so our first task was to see if we could meet up and have a chat. As it turns out Tracey has been great...... I have to say that, apparently she reads the blog. No, seriously Tracey is great and has been really helpful and seems to be on the same wave length which helps a lot.
We still haven't found a house yet and we have seen at least 25 if not more. Tracey said that some of her colleagues asked her why she has showing us so many and I guess that that implies why hadn't we seen anything we liked also.....I think her answer was...because they're all crap that's why. Having said that , this was after only day two when we were looking at a particular 'French' ( Arcadian ) area. The decor was straight out of the 70's and 80's, all dusky rose pinks and 'twee'. Some of the houses even had 70's style bars in their basements. One also had a car radio set up under the bar and coloured glass lights...... for ambience I imagine?Mmm whose imagination I wonder. We decided to give that area a miss after that.We thought it might be a tad difficult to 'fit in'.


They are obviously trying to
 create some  trendy boardwalks.
We have had some time on our hands in between house hunting so thought it might be nice to get out and about. We went to St John on the Bay of Fundy coast. It was actually a sunny day so I can't blame how I felt about St John on the miserable weather but unfortunately we were disappointed. St John is largely industrial. There are some lovely parts I'm sure but as a general picture I felt it was industrialized.





Our next trip was Prince Edward Island. It only took us 1 1/2 hrs to get to Charlottetown . The road from here to the Confederation Bridge is a really nice highway and there just isn't very much traffic here. Wherever we go the roads are always quiet.Where is everyone? ( out west probably ?).






Confederation Bridge. A little
cloudy and rainy at first
 but it soon cleared up




The bridge is 8 miles long and the worlds longest bridge over ice covered waters. It is an amazing piece of engineering. Be that as it may, it is a toll bridge and it must be the most expensive flipping' toll in the world too.We nearly had three fits when they told us the price.... they let you over for free but they get you on the way out...... $ 43..... Won't be going over there too often.




Having said all that P.E.I is indeed beautiful. Very countryfied, lots of quaint little hamlets and lush green fields as far as the eye can see. The roadside are pretty too with multicolours of wild lupins growing everywhere. 


This is a sight you see
all over the province










This is the Canada Day long weekend so the campsite has filled up somewhat. I really don't get this camping lark. The motor homes are tucked up next to one another. Some have built decks . They put their patio furniture facing the trailer next door and sit there most of the day. What am I missing. There isn't even a view to reflect on.Oh well, each to their own I suppose.


We feel like we are getting to know the areas now but still trying to get our heads around being back in Canada ( Massachusetts you spoilt us) Shediac it seems is a very seasonal town so a lot of places close for the winter. The views around here are exceptional with lots of bays and water inlets and to get to the bigger shops in Moncton is less than half an hour away.


Hearing French being spoken wherever we go is strange. I didn't think it would be quite so much but it is more like the norm.Having said that as soon as they know you are English they switch and we haven't felt uncomfortable at all and the people are really friendly. 


So we are still pondering...................... a lot to ponder.




The wharf at Pointe du Chene,Shediac

Pointe Du Chene