Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 15:34:06 -0500
Reply-To: Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
Subject: Re: Newfoundland Trip
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Tom, my family and I just returned last week from a three week trip to Quebec,
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to
Newfoundland this trip. We couldn't justify the $500 ferry ticket when we had
only a few days in our schedule to spend on the "rock".
OK, here I go...
Quebec:
Don't wait too late in the day to get a camp site when travelling in Quebec.
Camping seems to be very popular in Quebec. We were nearly without a campsite a
couple of times. Fortunately, Westies are very familiar to management at a
number of campgrounds and they would always find a spot for a little Westy.
KOA in Quebec City is very nice. Take a non-serviced campsite at the back of the
campground, away from the highway. The second washroom/shower building there is
brand new. If you have time, take a look at the New West dealer just down the
road on Ch. Olivier across from the Irving Station. New West Campers are your
usual domestic vans with camper conversions but incorporating the Westy's pop
top idea.
Unfortunately the pop top doesn't accommodate sleeping space like our Westies.
New Brunswick:
Nice campsite right on the Baie des Chaleuers in New Brunswick is Motel Baie des
Chaleurs, Grand Anse, NB. Facilities are basic but view is fabulous. If you
can't get into the Kouchibouguac National Park campground, camp at Parc Daigle
just 2 km. away. Nice place. The Acadian Coast (north shore) of New Brunswick is
also very interesting. Lots of little villages and reduced speed zones along the
way so don't drive this route if you're in a hurry.
Nova Scotia:
Baddeck, Cape Breton: The former KOA, now called Baddeck Cabot Trail Campground
is good. Alexander Graham Bell Museum is also great. Broad Cove Campground in
Cape
Breton Highlands Nation Park is run down. Campsites are small and not level.
Also, don't plan on taking showers there.
Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton: The Whale Interpretive Centre there is very good.
Whales can be seen here from shore.
Ingonish Ferry, Cape Breton: The whale watching excursion by sail boat (Sea
Visions Sailing Charters) was well worth the cost, despite not seeing any
whales.
Glace Bay, Cape Breton: Visiting the birthplace of radio at the Marconi National
Historic Site is fascinating in light of this being the hundredth anniversary of
Marconi's transmission from Canada to Great Britain.
Louisberg: Camp right on the harbour in the village of Louisberg. The campground
is operated by the village business association. Although it's mainly for 50
foot GMC type motorhomes, they'll find a spot for your Westy, nestled in amongst
the "big guys". These huge monoliths block out most of the night time sounds,
giving you a nice quiet sleep. In the evening you can sit on the wharf and watch
the day's catch being brought to the fish processing plant nearby. Check out the
historic lighthouse across the harbour, too.
Springhill: The coal mine tour conducted retired miners is fascinating.
There are tons of national parks and historic sites in eastern Canada (unlike
the rest of the country), so we found that buying a combined annual National
Parks and Historic Sites pass ($99) payed for itself quickly.
As far as recommended repair shops, here's what listees recommended to me prior
to my trip:
Larry's Auto Works,
(Larry Rogerson, Owner),
2409 Lyn Road,
Brockville, Ontario. (613)342-4345
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Settle's Volkswagen Service
810 Old Sambro Rd
Harrietsfield, NS B3V 1A3
tel: 902.477.5556
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L T Motors,
Ottawa, Ont.
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Euromach
1424, Desaulniers, Longueuil
Quebec, (450) 677-1123 (ask for Christian)
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Andre's Auto Service
367 Cure Labelle, Ste. Rose,
Laval, Quebec
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Have a safe trip!
Roy Olynick
'87 VW Westfalia GL
(till death do us part)
'91 Honda Civic SE
'01 Honda Civic LX
www.autobahn.mb.ca/~rrh/Westy_Home.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "tom hewitt" <tomhewitt@SYMPATICO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 9:39 AM
Subject: Newfoundland Trip
| We are planning a trip to Newfoundland in the next few weeks. Will be
| leaving the Ottawa area of Ontario and touring through Quebec, New
| Brunswick and Nova Scotia, then on to Newfoundland. Would appreciate
| hearing from list members about their experiences touring these
| locations. Places to see, camp, avoid? Of course the location of VW
| Repair shops along the way, just in case, you know. We will be travelling
| in our 1982 air-cooled Westy. Certainly appreciate any information
| relating to this trip. Thanks....
| Tom & Dot
| 1967 Beetle
| 1982 Westy
