I'm baaaaack!

BEFORE - Van + trailer portrait

A whirlwind tour of the Halifax docks!

I left Sunday evening at 1930 and arrived just over an hour ago at 0845... Tuesday morning!! That is a total away time of 36h 45m and of that 28 was spent driving to and from. The other 7 or so hours went mostly to sleep on the return (stopped twice).

The overall paperwork experience went very well. I arrived at the shipper's office at 0930 Monday morning. I was the first one there and after presenting my huge pile of papers (including a cheque), and some chit-chat about the car, I was given more papers and was now ready to go to Canada Customs. Good thing that it went fast because I was parked in a no parking with tow-away zone with the trailer attached to the van!!!

Customs was a short drive away. In my drowsy stupor, I got hopelessly lost. Good thing I printed a mini-map of the downtown area. Soon I was in front of the customs house. Illegal parking here was NOT advised. I had no idea how long this would take. "Parking meter" parking only was available, but not to allow doubt to get a grip, I went bravely forward. Luckily not too far forward! I found two parking spaces a block from customs. Doubly lucky that they were one in front of the other (remember van + trailer). I fed both meters just in case they towed/ticketed either one. A twooney (pronounced tooney, aka a $2 coin) allowed me two hours of customs business.

Surprise of surprises greeted me in customs. A rather small reception area, perhaps appearing smaller because I was the only one there! A friendly customs officer assisted me with the necessary paperwork (pile now increased by 37%), and after the required 164 slams of his stamp, I was off to collect the car! A further treat was that he offered to return all the original papers for the car (after copying them). BONUS!

A harrowing drive through the small streets of Yarmouth (a town on the north side of Halifax, essentially on the other side of the harbour). An older Canadian city, it shows its lineage to the mother country in the narrowness of its streets! A fun drive with a long wheelbase van, stretch trailer which is a bit wide in the hips. All this was soon forgotten as a similar greeting (line up wise) was granted me upon arrival at the auto-dock office.

Once there, I pulled out my ever increasing pile of papers. The rep sifted through everything, taking out only the ones that she needed. A few calls and stamps later I was informed that a dock worker would escort me to the car, and that this charge was over and above the shipping costs. Oh oh, this is sounding expensive. Also, since the car was on a pallet owing to the fact that it was not drivable (lack of working engine, brakes, and a complete gearbox!) another dock worker would have to release the straps that held the car in place. "Why could the first guy not take off the straps?" I asked in my near comatose state. Union scope clauses was the answer. The cost would depend on the amount of time spent to a) escort me to find the car in the jungle of arriving vehicles and b) the amount of time to undo all the straps.

I am no genius, but this is sounding awfully expensive.

Upon arrival at the dock, I was greeted by my escort. Forget everything that you hear or read in the papers about escorts. This one was in overalls, and as kinky as that sounds, the mustache ruined it. Once I identified myself as the owner of the little British car a fury of interest came over the place.


Super Ten on its "Bolster"
(the technical term for the big metal thingy)

He knew exactly where it was parked and on arrival I was met by an admiring crowd of about a dozen dock workers (of various scopes) and by a barrage of questions about the car. "What is a Singer?" "Is is made by the sewing machine company?" "Does it run?" "What are you going to do with it?" Each question was answered and a tour of the car was given to all interested.

I am constantly amazed at how a little bit of kindness and thanks reaps enormous returns. After almost an hour of polite chat, I was "rewarded" with 12 pair of hands pushing the car off the pallet and up onto the trailer! A few even stayed and helped with the strapping down process to ensure that the new acquisition was safe.

I enjoy going to Eastern Canada. The people there are warm, very easy going and down to earth. The cherry on the icing on the cake was that after being there for more than an hour AND having them perform more work than they are required (or supposed) to do, I was informed by the lot foreman that there would be no charge!!

Several handshakes and waves later I was off to enjoy a burger lunch at A&W. Great burgers and the very best Root Beer.

A quick check on the time showed me that it was just after noon. The entire process (made up of mostly chatting) took less than three hours! I was feeling great after my all-night drive and with the harbour wind in my sails (?) decided to cancel my hotel reservation and make my way home. There was no way that I could drive another 14 hours, and would take no chances. So I would drive as long as I felt comfortable and would either find a hotel on the way, or take some naps at the rest areas along the way.


Strangely, my return trip was continuously marred with this TAILGATER! (click photo to enlarge)
The return drive went well and I am glad to say that I have now found roads worse than those in Quebec. They are found in New Brunswick. Coupled with the near moon-like surface of the asphalt was the sparse signage and a detour of the Trans-Canada Highway set up more like a crewel riddle. None of which could dampen my good mood.

I stopped for gas (several times) and took two nap/food break of two hours each. I never felt that I was too tired, and when I did, I took the time needed to recharge my batteries. Do not ask me to dance or do and work around the house today however!

When I left Montreal it was raining. An hour out of the city the sky cleared and when I was in Halifax the sky was blue and the weather warm. An all-round beautiful day, one fitting the occasion! The weather cooperated all the way home too.

A great introduction to car importing, but the lesson here too is great people on the sending end and a paper trail that almost requires another trailer!


AFTER - Van + trailer & Super Ten portrait