Birthday Nose Job

Every year, on my birthday I read the Globe and Mail,  and the Toronto Star's 'if today is your birthday' section of the horoscopes.
Last year,  as I moved on to the boat,  left my job and became a full time boat builder with Branko - my horoscope stated that next year at this time,   I would be surprised with where I would be.   I laughed at this,   thinking no way could I be surprised,  since I could be anywhere.

Well I was surprised.

Sunday September 12th  I was standing beside a flogging jib sheet.  it hit me in the face with a force that broke my nose in two places.  I quickly submerged my face in the freezer,  using a semi-frozen pork loin to  stop the pain - I soon moved to frozen vegetables as they were more pliable and did not leak meat juice down my face.

I thought it was just a bruise,  but when Branko looked, my nose was now S shaped.  Off to Emergency - thank goodness for Margaret, and Ken's truck - nothing could be done in emergency,  nor the next day at the clinic with the plastic surgeon -  however Tuesday September 14th, my birthday, saw me suiting up for surgery -the gown, the fasting, the cardiogram (say what??) and the requisite waiting period.

All was good though,  the plastic surgeon began our first conversation with "let me look at your sna-az"  and well,  I was hooked - he was great cause I got to put my clothes back on, got my nose frozen (hurt like heck) and then he casually "re-set" my nose back to its original straight beak.

You should see the other guy....

Voila,  I got a nose job for my birthday.  And yes, Branko is taking credit for the "job" as a birthday gift...

Maggie

Hanging around Hubbards

We left Mahone Bay at the end of August and sailed over to Hubbard's Cove (Black Harbour was filmed here) where our friends Ken and Margaret  live.   We had missed this spot on our way to Chester -  it is quite beautiful.  We took a mooring ball just off the fishing dock, and well, we are still here.

Hubbard's Cove

Drew and Terri - lobster dinner

Fishing boats (Hubbards) during the Hurricane

Before Terri and Drew left we enjoyed a huge lobster dinner at the Shore Club in Hubbards.  What a feast,  a salad bar that really was a salad bar (those who know me,  know how I love my veggie),  never ending mussels,  warm buns (yum), a delicious lobster each and to top it all off, home made desserts - in a parish hall type setting with red checkered tableclothes - just the ambiance we were looking for!  

Terri and Drew left the next day and we began our preparations for the hurricane. I begin below with my own account of the storm and my whereabouts.

For me the storm itself was a non-event,  as I was safely tucked away on shore.  My only concern was that everyone remained safe.   Fortunately, the cove and the men ensured all was well.

While Branko and Ken (the men) battled the elements to ensure H2obo was safe,    I stayed ashore and enjoyed the hospitality of Ken's family.  Margaret (the other Margaret) is Ken's wife, who is from the Hubbard's area.  After living across the country in Toronto and more recently in Vancouver decided that some time in the east coast would be good.   Ken and Margaret have four children,  Amy, Ian, Colleen and Michael -  who are loads of fun.

Margaret, Ian,Amy, colleen and Mike

and we all lived with Margaret's parents Rose and Paul who generously agreed to let me stay :-)

It was non-stop activity,   first a trip to make sure the men were OK and didn't need anything.  We found them well and happy -waiting for us to leave so they could continue whatever it was they were doing... me thinks watching movies.   Off to breakfast before the power went out,  then back to Rose and Paul's for a game of crib,  hide and go seek (the first round i was caught standing behind IT trying to figure out where to hide and how - i am much bigger then the last time i played this game)  - then we went again to visit the men,  who were now just in their shorts and again,  just waiting for us to leave :-)   

The wind and waves were apparent just outside the cove but H2obo seemed to be swinging around comfortably on the mooring - plus the men seemed non-pulsed,  so no need for me to yell over and offer my thoughts/opinions :-) yes this would be my way of helping.

So we left the men and went in search of ice cream,  which took a few hours - don't ask;  and then back home for a sandwich dinner because the power had gone out (the boat however had lights, a working stove, movies and refrigeration - we thought about swimming over to join them - but well, we were not invited.) Since there were no games or TV or movies and no lights we decided to play charades - which took a crazy turn to non-stop laughing.  Two teams, two nationalities, two accents and voila, non-stop laughter.  I had a great time.

Ian (at the Puddle) high tide

Hubbard's is a lovely area,  with great white sand beaches -  the water has been Caribbean warm and the weather the same.  We have swam  almost everyday sometimes twice - it makes us happy to know we will continue this way of life as we head south.

Maggie

Back to Baddeck Blog (courtesy of Kathy K.)

Hi  friends of Maggie & Branko,

Kathy and Maggie

This blog entry comes a little late.

 I'm Kathy from Toronto and I was with Maggie and Branko just before Bill, Gavin and Shannon.  My east coast adventure was two weeks; the first was with family, and the second week I was all alone (mostly), with just a rough itinerary, never knowing where I was going to eat or sleep, or even what day it was.  Pure bliss!!  Which is just a fraction of how Maggie and Branko must feel, with considerably more than a measly week of freedom ahead of them.

Need we say anything...:-)

Of all the adventures I experienced on my trip, by far the most fun I had was my time with the sailors, even though there was no sunshine and no sailing, and involved a museum, a knitting store, and a fiddle show.  I happily met up with the M&B at the wharf in Baddeck on a wet, dreary Wednesday morning, and I feel as though a magic spell was cast on us for the brief time we had together.  As Maggie mentioned, we had a great lunch, then on to the Alexander Graham Bell museum, which it turns out really is interesting.  We learned a lot about Bell, and my favourite part was watching the video of his daughters talking about growing up with this interesting man on their sprawling family property.

Learning to knit, pearl one and stab...

Afterwards, it was on to the knitting store for Maggie and me, while Branko went back to the boat to make dinner.  We had a blast at the knitting store.  It started when we walked in and Maggie announced to the owner, Pat, that she wants to make Branko a sweater.  Pat  was very amused to find out that Maggie had no knitting experience.  She was so amused that every time someone came in to the shop, Pat pointed to Maggie and told them about her ambitious plans.  Everyone laughed, and Maggie took the ribbing well.  She talked Maggie down to a scarf, and then maybe a blanket.  Pat and her husband of two years, Fred, were high school sweethearts, who went their separate ways and then reconnected after many decades...a very romantic story.  Fred gave Maggie some knitting lessons, and we happily left with a bagful of yarn.  (How's the scarf coming Maggie?)

The chef and captain with Sophie

Back to the boat for dinner, and just as my time with M&B was the best part of my trip, Branko's stew was the tastiest meal of my trip (and I had plenty of great food in two weeks).  I wish I could have come home with the recipe, but Branko just made it up as he went along -- and it was amazing.

Kathy with the talented fiddler

After dinner we went to the local Parish Hall for the Ceilidh, and for a couple of hours we just sat back and got lost in this wonderful Cape Breton tradition.  Well, M&B sat back until Nancy, the organizer, asked for four couples to come onstage for some dance lessons.  The first three couples quickly went up, and after a little coaxing, Branko grabbed Maggie by the hand and off they went.  So much fun!!!  Thankfully I had my camera with me, and got some great video.  If you want to see the dancers in action, please key in "h2obo Baddeck" and "h2obo in Baddeck" on Youtube.  Afterward, several people told Branko what a good dancer he was, but Maggie said it's just because he's tall and easy to see.

H2obo in Baddeck

Afterward, we went back to the boat and watched a very strange but excellent movie ( I can't remember the name), then off to bed.  I slept like a baby in my cozy little bed.  If you didn't have a chance to see the boat before M&B left, let me tell you -- it is gorgeous!  They did such a fantastic job building the interior from scratch.  I remember seeing it when it was just a hollow shell, and I never imagined the end result to be so impressive...so beautiful, comfortable, and efficient.  Every square inch of the interior is functional, and still esthetic.  I can see why Sophie is so happy and content!

 The next morning Maggie's cousin and his kids arrived just as I was leaving to continue my road trip.  You could see they were happy and excited to begin their adventure.

I want to thank you guys for your hospitality and the great memories!

Maybe I'll see you in the Bahamas or Croatia!

Note from H2obo -  Blog entry and pictures courtesy of Kathy :-)