Monday 14 October
It was a very wet farewell to Prince Edward Island, as we took the bus back to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for our flight back to London the following day.
The 12 kilometre Confederation Bridge, linking the island to the rest of Canada. [$50.25 Can to leave the island]
I was disappointed that the rain blurred the autumn colours the length of the journey. I couldn't complain too much though, as I had been totally immersed in the colours in the previous weeks. Thankfully the rain did abate when, at a midway point, we had to transfer to another bus.
Overnight there were huge noisy thunderstorms, dumping more rain, but we woke to sunshine for our flight.
Take off
Goodbye Canada
Fortunately, we had booked a room in an airport hotel. We arrived at 9.30pm in more rain and the flight's luggage took forever to find our carousel.
A shuttle bus, took us to the hire car allotment on the opposite side of the airport. The traffic was a nightmare after the isolation of the island.
We were upgraded to a Hyundai Tuscon with all the bells and whistles. It took Frank a long time to feel confident enough to leave the safety of the rental compound and even longer to not be stressed with all the beeping.
Thank goodness for google maps and a car with a touch screen. We found the M25 and began circumnavigating London in a clockwise direction, with Stowmarket in Suffolk our final destination. At Brentford we changed to the A12 to find an information centre at Sudbury. This centre was never found because the streets were narrow and parking non existant. Google then took us on a 'random' drive through pretty countryside and narrow, hedgerow lined roads, with the 2 1/2 hour journey becoming 4 1/2 hours. This delightful cottage however, welcomed us.
The cottage belonged to a small farm holding and a walking trail, created by the owners, allowed me to explore happily.
Whilst on the trail, sunset colours began to fill the sky to both the east and west.
East
West
Back at the cottage.
And across the lane to the west.
Very few photos were taken on the journey as I was either navigating, or clinging to the carseat, as Frank whizzed along the narrow lanes. We were slower through the towns, so I managed a church spire or two.
Horses have right of way.
And what better way to end our first day in Suffolk, other than to enjoy dinner in a lovely English Pub, even though the chef was French.
The Highwayman is a grade2 listed 17th century timber framed building.