PEI 2

                                     

 

 

Charlottetown above and below

Typical PEI scene

PEI

Prince Edward Island was our next stop. Caught the car ferry across from Pictou to Wood Island then did a loop on the eastern shore and headed to Charlottetown and set up camp at Cornwall, just outside the city, by the river. 

                     

We had been told that there were a couple of ceilidhs on that night so off we went, found the hall, and ... nobody. Drove to the 2nd one, and same thing. Very disappointed, but didn't give up and went into the city but it was very quiet. Found a young singer-songwriter and watched him for awhile then went back to campground.

Next morning, awoke to a beautiful day.

 

Barry getting breakfast by the water














          

                                             View from our tent
       

Cheticamp

Spent the night in Cheticamp. Went looking for some live Celtic, Cape Breton type music. Found instead a scratch country band who sang all kinds of songs from the Beatles to John Denver and more - not quite what we had in mind. We were a day early as we were told there's a really good gig on Saturday night. Also a couple of weeks early as there will be lots happening in a few weeks when summer starts.

We lunched at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique where a young fiddle player and a lady playing piano entertained us. Went on to Antigonish and stopped for the night in a 'cabin' in a van park. It was actually a big mobile home with 2 queen bedrooms, a full kitchen, big living room and bathroom. I think I could live here (Barry couldn't - no shed). Unfortunately, we couldn't find any more music (there will be some tomorrow we were told) so just went for a drink and a chat at a little pub around the corner.  

Cabot Trail

Friday dawned slightly clearer, at least it wasn't raining. Headed off to do the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton National Park. It is a wonderful drive with changing scenery, fishing villages, wild rocky coast, then sandy beaches, and steep winding roads through mountainous regions. There are also lots of artisans dotted around the trail with some really good stuff, so we stopped a lot.

                            

 

Fortress Louisburg

Left Halifax in the rain and drove all day in gross weather. Driving along by the water, the Atlantic Ocean, was still good, but not for photos. We stopped in the middle of nowhere in the pouring rain at the studio of a well known folk artist, who makes all kinds of weird and wonderful creations from local wood. Some other tourists were there and guess what, three were from Sydney. Small world.

Stopped overnight in a cottage in St Peters on Cape Breton Island on the shore of the largest salt water lake in the world, Bras D'or Lake. Not the best time to view the lake, but at least we stayed dry. Next day we had less rain, but it was really cold and windy. For goodness sake, it's June and only 8 degrees! Bring on Summer.

Continued on to Fortress Louisbourg, North America's largest historical reconstruction of the 18th century French fortress. It was bitterly cold, so not at all pleasant, but we still loved it.The employees dress in the clothing and take on the role of the soldiers and civilians of the day. Some parts are not open as it's not high season yet, but we got to see quite a lot before moving on, crossing the lovely Mira River and on to Sydney, North Sydney actually, to spend the night.

         

 

 

  

Halifax

Spent the next 2 days in Halifax. Had a wonderful dinner and catch up with Dan and Nancy McKinnon who we had met 5 years ago when we had Dan for a house concert at our place. Great meal, lovely people and great to catch up.

During the 2 days, we visited the Maritime Museum, Citadel Hill, Immigration Museum, caught ferries, buses and walked and walked and walked. Lovely little city, really enjoyed our stay and really looked after by Caroline at our B&B. The weather could have been better but we can't change that. 

Dartmouth side

 

                                      .                          Theodore Too tugboat

 

Halifax waterfront

Citadel Hill

Peggys Cove

Better weather today, and we are moving on. Took our time, down to Bridgewater then out along the scenic route, stopping often. Lunch at Hubbard's Bay then on to Peggy's Cove. 

 

Spent some time wandering around, then headed off to find a bed for the night. drove all the way to Halifax and found a B&B just across the bridge in Yarmouth. Caroline's B&B, a Lovely room with a hand made quilt, reasonably priced and we were made very welcome. Went back across the bridge to the waterfront. Not much doing, so went to the Old Triangle irish pub for a meal and music. Had yummy seafood meal and listened to a guy singing and playing. Very good, but not very Irish or Nova Scotian. Only stayed awhile.

Last day at McGill Lake

For a quiet week in one place, we have covered a lot of kilometres. After being out all day, one night we drove 60 km each way one night to attend a Toastmasters meeting where we were very warmly welcomed. Another day we took a trip to Yarmouth via the north shore and back by the south shore - a 500 km + trip. I don't think we realised just how far away Yarmouth was. But we saw so much, again because we were mostly on the coast, that it was worth it.

On our last day at the lake it was raining heavily, and after setting off for a 260th anniversary event in Lunenburg, we gave up and turned back as the roads were awful. 

We have been on the go, moving from our place to another for so long now, that even though we have still done a lot of driving our 'quiet' week in one place has been really good. Thanks again to George and Gwenda for making it possible.

Lunenburg

We have also been to Annapolis Royal, Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay - stunning places. Lunenburg is my favourite, a fishing village, shipbuilding background, narrow streets with very colourful buildings. Orange, purple, bright blue, etc. I just loved it. The very famous racing yacht, Bluenose II, is currently undergoing restoration so it was there in dry dock, which excited Barry greatly. These are a few oof the shots Barry took of Lunenburg.

McGill Lake 2

Barry got up to see the sunrise a few times. The best day was the one he slept through, naturally. But he got this shot.

We were visited by hummingbirds every day. There were two of them, and they constantly 'buzzed' each other and chased each other away, a real dogfight. They are absolutely beautiful and so tiny, probably no more than 10 cm, if that.

George and Gwenda came out to the lake for a barbecue. George brought along some moose meat which was delicious, no it doesn't taste like chicken.

McGill Lake

By the time we reached Moncton it was raining and we were tired so took a room in the first motel we found. Went out for a pizza, had some fun on Magnetic Hill (google it!) and went to bed.

Next day, a Saturday we left early and as we like to do, left the main highway for the scenic route - and how scenic it was. Lovely lush green countryside, narrow winding roads, pretty villages, more lighthouses and the Bay of Fundy where you will see the world's biggest tides.

Accidentally got caught up in traffic in Kentville where their Apple Blossom Festival festivities were taking place, with streets blocked and a parade about to start. Had trouble getting out of town before the 2 hour parade came through. Even the police said 'good luck' when we were leaving. 

Eventually got to Gwenda and George's house in Kingston. They have very generously allowed us to use their cottage for a week.  It is right at the edge of McGill Lake which is 3 km off Highway 10 at Albany Cross. A beautiful spot, there are only six cottages and most are empty. We were welcomed by the neighbours 3 doors away who had a big group of fishermen in for the weekend. We had a drink or three with them but since then, they have all gone home, and it is all quiet.

Our house on McGill Lake

From our house on McGill Lake

Bay of Fundy - Halls Harbour

On Sunday, we took advantage of the lake, went for a canoe ride, and just rested. Since then, we have been to Margaretsville and Halls Harbour which are on the north shore of Nova Scotia on the Bay of Fundy which has the world's highest tides. 

At Halls Harbour, we were there at 10:00 am to see the high tide and came back at 4:00 pm for low tide, which was 36 ft that day. It is just amazing to see. If you want to see some of the places in Nova Scotia, they have live web cams set up at some of the top tourist spots. See www.novascotiawebcams.com if you are interested.

 

     

New Brunswick

Besides all the woodpiles and lighthouses, wooden Adirondack deck chairs in all colours are everywhere, strategically placed to make most of the view of course. We have been seeing them since Ontario, but strangely we never see anyone sitting in them. There are also a lot of wind farms on Canada.

After driving around the Gaspe Peninsula, we drove down through New Brunswick, saw another covered bridge, twice missed our exits and added over 100 km to our trip. 

Somewhere along the way we realised that we had entered a different time zone and had lost another hour. 

  

Coming into Moncton