The Cabot Trail, Alexander Graham Bell and beyond...

Oliver reporting the always interesting travels of the west coast pair of adventurers...

Well we finally pulled out of the Riverdsle RV Park in Louisbourg much to the dismay of all. The bathrooms and showers were magnificent and we felt right at home with our host Darrell and Darrell as we came to call him.  Aside from the pesky black flys we were completely at home there.  

We headed to Baddeck, a wonderful coastal town on the St Patrick Channel Which is part of the glorious Bras d' Or Lake...a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. I can't tell you how much green and water are here in the maritimes.  Baddeck is the home of the Alexander Graham Bell Museum National Historic Site.  It was fascinating and inspirational. 

We then headed to the famous and beautiful Cabot Trail.  A glorious drive around the north coast of Nova Scotia with breathtaking views and as always, Robin watched for whales.  

After some thought the duo decided to return to Halifax for another week or more to enjoy the city and all it has to offer.  The wharf, farmers markets and lots of varied entertainment. 

Thursday night they attended fab flamingo guitarist from Spain and a flamingo dancer.  The show was superb and the wine good.  

Aside from being a great guitarist, this fellow also played an instrument called the hand pan and I am going to sttach what I hope is a video of the sound which was other worldly!

Yesterday we drive to Lunenburg, another World Heritage Site that is a Harbour with the original old homes from the 1700's and 1800's still there.  Lots of good food and lovely bay to enjoy.  

Loved this poster!  Doors of some of the many beautiful old homes. 

Our window table for lunch...

More later... Going to eat some of the great food purchased at the farmers market yesterday!

Louisbourg has become our home...

I Oliver here as usual with the merry adventures of my human friends Alan and Robin.  

We have been in the tiny town of Louisbourg on Cape Breton for ten days. Such a nice home base and have made friends with the locals and Robin even fished off the wharf with a new friend. 

Alan has been trying to teach her the metric system and he often tests her knowledge to the frustration of all involved.  She has the money exchange down (much to our advantage since the Canadian dollar is down).  The liter to gallon of diesel is somewhat a mystery and the milliliter has a way to go as yet!

When last I left you they were off to the Beggars Banquet here in Louisbourg.  A fun experience where everyone dresses in period costume and are fed and entertained!

They go to Sydney for the farmers markets and Robin has found many gluten free treasures. She loves Canada!

Yesterday they had savory gluten free crepes...she's in heaven!  Alan bought some sour dough bread from a nice German baker and the homemade chocolate gems were to die for!

They have been walking some great trails. The lighthouse trail is beautiful and one of the favorites. They also went back to the fortress for another day of history and they walked the Old Town Trail along the Harbour to the fortress.  

Today we are leaving Louisbourg to continue our travels.  Saturday night was a street dance with a pretty good live band and then Sunday was the lobster feed at the Firehouse followed by a 30 person bike ride through town as a local fundraiser.  We will miss our little town but we're off to new adventures.  

The local fireman and his lobster!

Bye for now...

Cape Breton Nova Scotia...at last.

Oliver as always...your trusty reporter of all travels of my human charges.

After a couple days R and R in the campground outside of Halifax and enjoying long hot showers, we got on the road again.  We headed northeast to the Northumberland Shore and stopped for a tour in Stellarten of the Museum Of Industry...an enlightening picture of the industry in Nova Scotia from its beginning until present day.  

We then drove east to Antigonish, a charming university town with lots to see and do.  Alan and Robin walk a lot and they found great trails along inlets in the

Biosphere.  They then attended opening night of the local theatre...the play was called Opening Night!  Lots of fun. 

The next day we ventured to Sherbrooke to another living museum called Sherbrooke Village.  It was another great DAY. 

Alan was making big bubbles with the nice lady!  So much fun these living museums.  

Robin has become the temperance queen!  

After Sherbrooke we headed to Sydney.  This is probably the largest town in Cape Breton.  We decided to make Louisbourgh our home base for a week or two and have been venturing forth daily from there.  Over the weekend we headed back to Sydney for their 1st Annual Rib Fest.  Robin is a big fan of ribs and Alan indulges her rib thing!

The event was on the Sydney Waterfront and this big fiddle was part of the waterfront decor!  As you can see we have enjoyed great weather and the ribs were good!

The big attraction in Louisbourg is the fortress that the French built in the early 1700's to fight off the British. It is yet another living museum and is a National Historic Monument.  It is built on a point reaching out in the Atlantic Ocean. Lots of history here...

On Sunday night they attended a concert at the Louisbourg Playhouse of the "Men of The Deeps".  It was 25 salty old miners singing in an incredible chorus in a darling local theatre.  

We ventured yesterday along the Marconi Trail on the far eastern coast of Cape Breton.  This is where the Marconi Museum is, on the site where he built the first transatlantic station for wireless communication.  

And then on to the Miners Museum, the history of coal mining in Nova Scotia including a tour of the mines with a very fun fellow. 

It's been a busy time interspersed with some great walks along the wards watching the lobster boats and loving the beautiful shore of Nova Scotia.  So much to see and do!   We are camped in a great spot and having lots of rest time too. 

Tonight they are off to the Beggars Banquet here in Louisbourg...will report on the festivities next time. 

Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks, Moncton and Halifax !

I

Oliver here with much to report...

We headed to the coast to the Bay of Fundy and the incredible Hopewell Rocks.  Here the tide going in and out is the largest in the world and so we spent the day first looking at high tide and then walking the beach (not me of course...the  human part of this journey).  

Pictures really don't do it justice but this is an amazing spot on this earth.  

We spent the day in the Fundy National Park and cruising along the coast through small scenic towns.  

We then cruised into Moncton and spent the next day celebrating Canada Day July 1st. It is the same as our 4th of July and trust me they do it up in a big way.  We spent the day at the downtown festival and then went to the outdoor concert featuring "Trooper"...a big Canada group plus several others.  The concerts were great followed by fireworks and all!

We had a "New Brunswick" Mexican dinner ((not sure they understand Mexican food here and no corn tortillas) but their tee shirts were great!

The next day we departed for Nova Scotia.  Finally at the "destination"😊

It took us two months but we are here.  Such a fantastic trip. Alan has guided this journey from the start and all three of us are having a splendid time. He is such a good tour operator!  He keeps me oiled and lubed and clean as a whistle and he keeps Robin happy.  

We headed for Halifax and our first stop was The Citadel.  This was the fortress used to protect the city although it was never attacked!  We spent the morning touring and as we were leaving a couple next to us said they were heading to the ticket office in town for half price tickets for the afternoon Tattoo...a spectacular show of music and entertainment.  Love the serendipity of travel!

No pictures of the Tattoo as they were not allowed but it was great!

The next day was the seaside farmers market...huge and fabulous. Such good food.  Love Canada...conscious people and gracious drivers.  

Spent the afternoon at the Canadian Museum of Immigration.  After a nap they spent the evening on the wharf...watching people eat poutine..a local specialty of French fries and cheese curds with gravy over the top! Yikes!

Yesterday was incredible...spent the morning at Peggy's Cove.  This is the most photographed spit inNova Scotia.  So beautiful and charming.  We climbed rocks for a couple of hours and watched for whale sightings.  Perfect weather...sunshine and low 80's.  Couldn't have been better.  

Returned to Halifax for the afternoon music in the park to end a perfect day. 

We're camping outside of Halifax for a couple of days of R and R...

Back soon...on the road again.