Day 12

At 13km long and costing CAD1.3 billion to build, the Confederation Bridge joining Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick, is the longest bridge in the world. Fortuitously we missed the ferry, deciding to drive the extra four hours to take the bridge - and thank goodness we did. All I could say to Nancy when it came into view was "you Canadians sure are industrious little critters!"

We later happened across several siblings on the side of the road just outside of Kensington, Prince Edward Island. They were selling home made jam. Whilst Nancy was getting some money, I made enquiries as to where the strawberries had been procured, to which I was told that that was privileged information. I then asked whether they'd been sourced locally? Perhaps heisted Hobbit-like from Farmer Maggot's farm? To this they pleaded complete innocence, saying that these were real wild strawberries, very small and very much a delicacy - hence the $7 price tag.

It's fair to say that if nothing else, they'll make for good sales people. But the jam too was excellent, clearly made with love.

Speaking of love, some people swear their car goes better after it's been washed and yet many laugh at the notion. But reality's the construct of the mind, so if your car feels better when washed to you, it is better, that's all that matters. I once drove 10,000km's per month on the open road for work and as a result washed my car two, even three times per week. In my experience, or at least in my reality, cars do go better after their washed. It's kind of like a home cooked meal, made with love, will always taste better than even the best restaurant meal. And of course in our case, out of respect for the fact that this Mini - Jaffa - is on loan to us for our trans- Canadian voyage, we're more than happy to keep her looking good.

The thing about travelling from point A to point B with little in the way of timings or plans; you never know what to expect. Via a relative of a friend, we recently found ourselves on the receiving end of hospitality to rival that which I've ever experienced anywhere in the world. Taken in as if members of their family, Claude and Reine from Shippagan, New Brunswick, gave us a bed for two nights, fed us local delicacies and took us out and about to see the local sights including the annual blessing of the fishing fleet. Furthermore, as fellow dog lovers we were greeted, licked and entertained by their two canine companions; Snoopy and Copin.