Day 5, Thursday 25 September

This was a day of contrasts as far as holiday activities were concerned. Breakfast was a little later, in rather a cramped breakfast room in a separate building. Mein host brewed coffee, sorted the rear of the food and chatted to visitors - he was very welcoming. 

We drove a short distance to the bike hire place where most of the party got out. Chadwick drove four of us, including Ian, to Cavendish Beach where we had a bit more than an hour. It was glorious with a deep blue, fairly placid sea. There were hundreds of Canada geese floating in a raft and keeping themselves at a constant distance from us. Every so often, a large number would take off, fly inland and then come noisily back. 

After a while a big bird appeared above the trees and we eventually worked out that it was probably a bald eagle. It flew off and returned later on the walk. 

Ian and I shed shoes and socks - Alun couldn't see the point. The sea looked inviting but seemed to shelve steeply and there were warnings of rip tides. We could have stayed there all day, just wandering up and down and enjoying the solitude, peace and quiet.

Chad drove us further along the coast to the small village of Rustico where there are a small lighthouse and lots of photo opportunities.

Eventually, we had to go back to meet the cyclists and I was very glad I hadn't gone with them - they had ridden much further than I would have managed whereas the beach had been fabulous.

Lunch was at tables outside a takeaway cafe and very good quality, although we could have shared a portion.

The afternoon was not fun. Chad had found out about a number of tourist shops on producers' premises. The first sold preserves, the second, Gouda-style cheese, the third goat's milk toiletries. Finally, he took us to quite a nice gift emporium. We dropped a few people at the Green Gables experience and the rest of us went back to sit on the porch outside our rooms where Alun shared his whisky again. I did housekeeping chores. 

Supper was at an oyster bar where Ian and I had rather expensive but excellent, fruity, local red wine at Stanley Bridge.

The final experience was going to a "ceilidh" in the local WI hall, which was packed. Four chaps played, sang and told tall stories, interspersed with dancing by a young girl and a couple of recitations. In the break we were served ice cream and strawberry compote. The overarching theme was Irish with country and a bit of bluegrass thrown in. Some of the Irish music smacked of Val Doonican and there was even an iconic Steamhead tune. 

The concert went longer than expected and drifted into the self-indulgent so, mindful that Chad was waiting outside, we tried to leave as discreetly as possible.