Not strictly a Bushranger adventure, but spending a week in Quebec City, Canada, was certainly a memorable experience.

We hired a car and did the two-day dash to Quebec. Our first day we drove over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It measures 17.6 miles from shore to shore with 12 miles of trestle roadway, two mile-long tunnels, two bridges, and four man-made islands. It provided the route through north-east Virginia, Maryland and Delaware before we hit the New Jersey Turnpike. Vast fields of tobacco plants and wheat were along this rural scenic drive.

After picking up Craig, Pam and Aro’a we headed for Canada, driving though the Adirondacks, catching glimpses of the Hudson River and Erie Canal.

Claire and family were waiting for us in our holiday lodgings. We rented a home with six-bedrooms, three-lounge rooms, five-bathrooms, one billiard room. Not bad, indeedy! It was a great venue for Heather’s 60th birthday celebrations. And celebrate in style, we did. We dined at Le Chateau Frontenac in the Old Upper Town, walked the Terrasse Dufferin, visited the Aquarium du Quebec – all under the shadow of La Citadelle. We explored and photographed the Old Lower Town – an area rich in museums, plaques and statues, Trompe d’Oeil, numerous cafes and restaurants along the cobblestone roads. Gloriously picture-perfect.

We spent a full day driving to Saguenay and Tadoussac on the promise of seeing whales. We drove through deeply forested craggy clefts, snow capped mountains and scenic villages. The fjord was magnificent, painted in steely grey tones. Alas, no whales spotted.

We toured Ile d’Orleans, a gorgeous island in the St Lawrence which has fairytale architecture. And visited the spectacular Montmorency Falls.

Being with our kids and grandkids for the week was wonderful as it not only marked Heather’s significant birthday but also the sad first anniversary of David’s passing (Heather’s brother). Together we laughed and cried.

Now we are back on Bushranger after farewelling all. We took a different route home through Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and on to Virginia. Mark met a very excited small town police officer who had never booked an Australian before. We stopped for lunch in Annapolis. What a beautiful place!

For those of you who sent Heather birthday greetings – – – many thanks. They were gratefully and humbly received.

Bushranger is being readied for her next adventure. May need to delay a little – just found out there is a Reggae festival in a park by the marina.

Such is Life!