Nova Scotia

My cousin Bill (centre) Shannon & Gavin

Last we left off,   our friend Kathy was meeting us in Baddeck.  Kathy was travelling by car and had already spent a week or so in Nova Scotia.     She arrived in the pouring rain, which continued all day -  but that did not worry us
 :-)    Chowder and lobster sandwiches for lunch,  delicious,  thank you Kathy.
 A visit to the Graham Bell museum was a must,  mostly due to the rain - but turns out it was very interesting.   Bell had lived in Baddeck for many years,   and the family still maintains the home on the point.   I had no idea that he was involved in so many aspects of hearing; from teaching and developing methods to communicate with the deaf, building the telephone, to designing the fastest boat of the time ( he had begun with aircraft designs.)

Canso 

In the evening we went to a Ceilidh.   True Cape Breton version -  a fiddler and a piano player - both women and both very very good.  They not only played but educated us on the origins of the music,  history of, and the music scene of Cape Breton.   Branko and I also joined in a few traditional dances, which Kathy videotaped,  laughing along with everyone else - there was a lot of toe stepping, literally.   She is threatening us with uploading it to utube - we will keep you posted.

Bill my cousin,  his children Gavin and Shannon arrived the next day.     We had a wonderful time with them, but it was unfortunate that we had little wind,   as they were prepared for rough conditions on the ocean.  Perhaps next time :-)

Tangier Bay (with thistle)

We traveled from the Bra d'or Lakes  via St Peters canal to Canso.  Canso had a bad rap in our guide book,   but it was actually not bad, shopping, nice trails and historic -  the area of St Peters and Canso were at one time strategic areas for the French and British.

Some quaint areas along the coast to Halifax,   we anchored in Port Felix,  tied up to a fishing dock in Ecum Secum and had adventures in Tangiers Bay before arriving Halifax last Saturday night.

Halifax harbour

Penthouse view (hauled out)

 We tied up to the city docks and enjoyed the busker festival and million dollar views.   My cousin and family left on Monday to continue their journey via car,   we went to the Nova Scotia Squadron yacht club on Purcell Cove road and hauled out to do a little work.  The club is very nice with 2 pools,   one saltwater (adults only) and the other,  includes children -all in all an enjoyable stay with yet again helpful and fun people.

Adults only pool - saltwater - yea!

Sitting now in downtown Halifax again,   waiting for Drew and Terri (aka Sally G. for  you blog followers) who will join us for a week to Mahone Bay, Chester and Lunenburg -  can't wait!

Maggie