Doris in the Thousand Islands

So much to Jenna’s delight we finally picked up our camper van. After a very informative cab ride from the HI in Montreal, conducted entirely in French (well done Rach!) we finally made it to the van rental company. Some three hours later we were fully conversant with all the joys of ‘RVing’ in N. America. This included how to dump the contents of your toilet and what to do should your LPG tank explode. (as the man on the instructional video re-assured us, ‘Remember folks – this is all … just in case’).

With the help of Justin’s map Rachel did a sterling job of navigating us out of Montreal to the trucker’s paradise that is the Flying J on highway 40 (or was it 20). After a light lunch of 3 eggs, potatoes, ham, bacon and the most enormous pancakes you’ve ever seen topped with the finest Canadian maple syrup (and that was just Rachel) the kids took a vote and decided to call our camper van ‘Doris’. With Doris (and us) all refuelled we pulled out of the Flying J whereupon Rachel helpfully reminded me that I was driving on the wrong side of the road. Being the obedient husband that I am I immediately switched lanes. On observing the large amount of fast moving traffic driving RIGHT AT US I politely reminded Rachel in words, some of which had more than four letters, that Canadians, like Americans, DRIVE ON THE RIGHT.

That apart we had a very leisurely first days drive out of Quebec and into Ontario to a quiet little town called Mallory in the Thousand Islands area along the St Lawrence river, the border between the US and Canada. Once we’d worked how tables convert into beds, how many bugs you get in your van if you leave the lights on a night and how to sleep in a space two feet high over the drivers cab, we actually passed a very peaceful & comfortable first night in ‘Doris’.

Today at the very kind invitation of Bob & Susan, our neighbours at the campsite, we have had an excellent morning cruising on the St Lawrence river and exploring Boldt castle. One of Canada’s two castles I believe, the amazing island estate of a turn of the century American hotel millionaire. As usual the kids who had teamed up with Bob and Susan’s sons Benjamin and Nicholas, ran wild and had a thoroughly great time. We swam between the showers and rounded off the day with a superb supper of burnt potatoes (courtesy of me and Rach) and excellent hotdogs (courtesy of Susan & Bob) altogether around the campfire.

Tomorrow we head for Niagra, so time to do the washing up and turn in …