Piloting big machines.

Whew! 1,500 km later, we're both home safe & sound. Exhausted and way, way over-caffeinated, but firmly esconced within our own four walls and lovin' it. Montréal-Barrie, Barrie-St. Catharines, St. Catharines-Montréal is a serious amount of road to cover in 48 hours.

Highlights include... aw, whom am I kidding? It's the 401: the only highlight was pulling into a certain driveway in Barrie at 01:00 and, after nine hours behind the wheel, waking up for the first time in over a week.

Actually, that's not fair. The drive down to St. Catharines was a lot of fun, with loud music, perfect weather and the beautiful Niagara valley rocking us in its berceau. We attended a small wedding held on a vineyard and between the wine sampling and an uncharacteristically loquacious groom, we both had a pretty good time.

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If you want to read about this awesome-looking beast, click here (will launch a new window). There are also two movies which can be viewed in the media player of your choice.

Sadly, the specs on it leave a lot to be desired and watching it maneuver is to experience a hundred tiny, incremental disappointments. It moves slowly and is top-heavy, the 'armour' is just sheet metal and the elite mechwarrior who helms it is wearing Dockers.

That having been said, I still want one. Anyone care to loan me $345,000 USD?