A Maritime saga in the making

     

     The vacation that was...  someone once said, "The best trips like the best love affairs, never really end.  They remain a beautiful memory."  

     Now, with our Maritime adventures just that — a memory, I feel I have left my heart in so many places. 

     The long-awaited day finally arrived, and our trusty WestJet's four and a half hour flight, ably carried us over our majestic Canada to Toronto. 

     

     Expecting only a short wait, we soon learned our connecting Halifax flight was delayed five hours. An electrical storm the night previous, threw all the airlines schedules off. 

     So, lots of Tim Horton's coffee and interesting people to chat with, helped the time to pass. 
  
     A friendly, talkative native of the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia, gave us our first insight into the life and times of the folk living there. 

     Though having only a few hours of rest at the airport's Quality Inn, we awakened the next day, somewhat refreshed and excited to begin discovering Halifax. 

     

     Frustrations of our previous day's travel forgotten, we set out to find the Heartwood Cafe. 

     It was to be the first introduction to "down-east hospitality" for my fellow travellers, Karen, Debi and Mark, as we met the owners, my grand-niece, Carrie and her husband, Joel, and their delightful daughters, Michael and Lacey. 

     The warm hugs and friendly chatter of these second cousins meeting for the first time, was a great introduction to similar greetings to follow. This vegan cafe with its "healthy choices" menu, impressed the girls, as they vowed to 'stay on track' with their travel eating plans. 

          

     During our brief hours exploring Halifax harbour, we found the tall ship, the Lord Nelson, had just arrived from its two year "around the world" trip. 

     It is one of two tall ships that is fully accessible for disabled passengers. 

     Making our way to the fishing village of Peggy's Cove, (with its mere population of 39 souls) we came upon a panorama of timeless beauty. 

     


     


     Meeting our friendly hosts, Judy and Dan, at our quaint Bed and Breakfast, we were delighted to find our rooms had an excellent view of the iconic light house. 

     What could be more perfect for our next day's venture than a drive along the southwest coast of Nova Scotia! 

     



     Being one who loves colour, I was awed to see so many colourful buildings dotting the landscape, as a part of the costal communities. 

     Passing by Mahone Bay, we learned it was once a safe haven for pirates and privateers. We just missed the pirate festival that was held the previous weekend. 

     

     This being my first visit to Lunenburg, I thought it was a truly postcard perfect Maritime town with its quaint architectural style and colourful buildings, its smells of salt, sea and all. 

     









     Housed in brightly-painted red buildings, our short tour of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic reminded us of their fishing heritage and the many lives lost at sea, sometimes every member of a family. 

     

     Next, a refreshing pause for seafood at the Old Fish Factory Restaurant and Ice Bar, with Debi and Mark giving the chef an A+ for their delicious calamari. 

     Back for another restful night at our B&B. Enjoying another of Judy's delicious breakfasts, and Dan's dry humour, we reluctantly said our goodbyes. More exploring and picture-taking around Peggy's rocky cove, then off on our journey through Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island, our destination for today.   

     On a menu placemat at the Sou' Wester Restaurant at Peggy's Cove... 

"The fog comes and goes at will.  Don't begrudge it. Wish instead that you were as free."     

   

"A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles."

— Tim Cahill   

     

     Stay tuned, there's more chapters of our Maritime Saga yet to come.

— beulah