Sailing on the South Shore

Terri and Drew

Embarking on a journey by sailboat is a daunting and daring idea for many. For certain it is not for the 
faint of heart or for those in a hurry. It is special and unique to be able to experience even a part of it. You learn early on that living or staying on a 39 foot sailboat with about 200 square feet of living space is a far cry from conventional life. The adjustment is easier than you might think.

Time slows to a crawl out here on the east coast, and it’s easy to fall into the unhurried pace of life. This too is fitting, because living on a sailboat means that each task to be done, each meal to be cooked, takes a measure of time, planning and patience to complete.  Pleasure is found in the simple things like a coffee on deck, the sun shining on a beautiful bay, the people that you meet and the time spent with good friends. The joy is in the journey itself. 

H2OBO in Halifax 

Seeing Maggie and Branko for the first time since they left is an ecstatic reunion. It’s so easy to pick up where we left off, happy to be together on this leg of their adventure. 

Lunenburg

Evening in Mahone Bay

We were fortunate to make several stops along the spectacular south shore of Nova Scotia. We had excellent weather for both sailing and motoring. We motored and sailed to Chester, followed by the town of Mahone Bay, a day trip (via hitchhike and taxi) to Lunenburg and motored/sailed to Hubbard’s Cove for our last day. Lucky for us the taxi to Lunenburg showed up when it did - Branko claimed that no one would stop for us because the less pretty couple (Drew & I), were leading the thumb attempt. But, we’ll never know for sure. I must give mention to Mike the horse in Lunenburg – if you are ever there, he is tethered near the downtown wharf with his carriage attached, and stamps his hoof impatiently waiting to take his next customers for a tour of the town.

Terri

Each location has its own charm, as well as the renowned east coast hospitality. In Chester, we dined on fresh beans compliments of a local who took a shine to Maggie during a walk and a chat. We were offered the loan of several cars, by people who knew us all of a few minutes. When Maggie and I ended up at the beach in Hubbard’s Cove without any cash for the entry fee, we were graciously allowed entrance with no second thought. It’s easy to see why people fall in love with this part of the country. 
The highlight has been being able to spend our time with our best friends, sharing lots of good laughs, great food, music and just plain fun. Branko and Drew got an enormous amount of pleasure over the use of a $10 game set that included Dominoes and Backgammon. Maggie and I trounced Drew & Branko several times playing euchre, and the game of hearts has become our new challenge.
   
One of my favourite times was an early morning walk in Mahone Bay with just Maggie and I. We found the best view of the famous 3 churches, and enjoyed a beautiful calm and sunny morning, sipping on a coffee as we walked and chatted. 

Fishing floats

We had a beautiful time, and are looking forward to more!
 Thanks again Maggie and Branko!    


                                                                Terri and Drew


Note from H2obo: pictures and blog by Terri

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

Our Little Adventures

Hey it’s Gavin and Shannon, Maggie’s cousin’s kids. 

We get the privilege to add a page to their blog about how much fun it is living on their boat. We were anticipating this trip all summer and it’s finally here. I (Gavin) am in Grade 8, and I love all sports and outdoor skills, so sailing is a real treat. I love this and I wish it could go on forever. I (Shannon) am in Grade 10 and am a drama student. I love adventure, and am so excited to be sharing this once in a lifetime experience with my dad, brother, Maggie, and Branko. 

Shannon

Gavin

The beach!

Baby jellyfish 

We joined their crew in Baddeck, in the Bras d’Or Lakes. Each day after motoring/sailing to our chosen destination we anchor and go swimming. In this we encountered an adventure...Little did we know there were (insert drumroll here) jellyfish in the waters. Maggie got stung by one the first night and after that we were all alert. Thankfully, Maggie was okay. Throughout the next few days all of us (except Branko for some reason,  perhaps its him smelling like a daisy...) were stung but we also learned a lot about The Jellies as we call them from the locals. The jelly fish are not really harmful, as long as you don’t get them in your face! The little ones don’t sting, the mid-sized ones feel like stinging nettles and the big ones....You keep away from! 

The beach, a place of rest and relaxation, or most would think. After anchoring near Marble Mountain, we blew up the dingy and took it over to a rocky beach with crystalline water. We then decided to go on a walk to a fresh water spring. On the way there, we took the road and it was mainly uneventful and long trek, except when we had to cut through someone's mostly abandoned property. When we got there, we realized that they were having a weekend festival, with music and games. We found the spring water tap, which was very cold and refreshing. We also passed cold water springs coming down the mountain and running into the lake. 

Spring fed stream

On the way back to the beach, well that’s another story. We decided to walk along the beach but the waves picked up and the trees were hanging over almost into the water, so we decided to cut through the forest to the road that looked as if it were a short distance away. Of course, it was not! We had to trek through wild rose bushes, raspberry patches and long grass for several minutes before the road was in sight. We climbed up a steep hill and stumbled onto the road. We managed to escape without any life threatening injuries (mainly a few scratches) but it was a harrowing experience on this adventure. If any locals had been there we’re sure they would have thought, there go the stupid Torontonians! 

Right now we are in St. Peters Marina which is a great place for anyone to stop at in the Bras d’Or Lakes. Tomorrow we are leaving the lakes and are heading through a lock into the St. Peter’s Canal on our way to the OCEAN! We are having a great adventure in Nova Scotia with Maggie and Branko, and we’re hoping for many more exciting adventures to come on our way to Halifax.

Gavin and Shannon