Cape Tormentine

Aug 18th Cape Tormentine

The weather forecast looked crappy for the next 4-5 days so we decided to start heading back towards Shediac.  Today's  destination, Cape Tormentine,  was the former ferry terminal before Confederation Bridge was built. It was a 60 mile motor with the wind on the nose the whole way. There were lots of dolphins swimming about. The Northumberland Strait is right full of lobster pots as the season is in full swing in this area so we had to be watchful and play ' dodge pot' all the way. We arrived about 7:30 PM and found the entire inner harbour full of fishing boats so there was no place to park. Rafting would have been an option if we didn't mind moving our boat at 4:30 AM - no thanks! We ended up on the outside wall of the inner harbour which wasn't  stellar as we got slopped around all night  Luckily the winds never exceeded 10 kn so we didn't have to move during the night.

Pictou

Aug 16-17 Pictou 

We left Ballantynes Cove bright & early for our next destination of Pictou. It was a lively sail in 18-23 kn winds. At the Hector Quay Marina, we looked up Al and Alta (friends we met last year) and met them for a brew at the local pub house. The next day, they picked us up at ten and we drove to New Glasgow for a town tour and lunch. We had a tour of an early 1900's residence which is now a funeral home. The owner is a friend of Al's and he graciously showed us around. Obviously it was built by a very wealthy family, the original woodwork in the place is simply amazing.  No wonder people are dying to see the place.....

We took in the evening show at the  deCoste Centre on the history of Pictou told through song and dance. We have to remember to pronounce it as PicTOE not PicTOO. PicTOO is a sure sign that you 'come from away'. 

Balantynes Cove

Aug 15 Ballantynes Cove

We left False Bay about 7 AM and headed back out into the Lennox Passage towards lift bridge. The 30 knot winds from the day before had blown themselves out overnight so we motored to the lift bridge and caught the first opening at 8 A.M. The bridge only opens to approx. 45 degrees  so watch your mast going thru!  Next was transiting the Canso Lock at Port Hawkesbury. Our attempts to contact the lock master on VHF 16 were unsuccessful. We were advised later that they only monitor channel 14 -better update the cruising guides.... meantime, we were relieved to know that our radio was functioning fine. As it happened, the lock opened just then for another sailboat to exit and we hustled right in. Apparently, it is really a commercial lock for the passage of large tankers, tugs & barges, cruise ships etc. however, we never encountered any. Both the lift bridge and lock would have been a considerable challenge had we attempted them in yesterday's wind! It was another motor to Ballantynes Cove with a few dolphin sightings along the way. After dinner, we went up to the Boyd house for a lovely visit with Alex, Tina , Sandy & Ann. We always look forward to a visit with them when we pass through. 

False Bay

Aug 14 False Bay

He had a great sail across Big Bras D'or and went through the St. Peter's locks enroute to Port Hawkesbury. Parks Canada locks through approximately 15 boats a day at St. Peter's - the Bras D'or Lakes are some of the finest cruising grounds in the world. I'm sure we will be back!  Once we were in the Lennox Passage the wind piped up to 30 knots so we took refuge in False Bay for the night. There seems to be quite a bit of aquaculture in the surrounding bays. 

Iona

Aug 13th Iona

After saying our good byes to Dorothy and seeing her  off to catch a shuttle for Halifax, we headed back down the lake and stopped at Iona for the night. There was a long high pier and we tied up against one big truck tire. We hiked a couple of miles up to a historical Scottish Highland Village - too bad it had closed 10 minutes prior to our arrival! All was not lost as we were able to quench our thirst at the Fun & Frolic Pub next door and enjoy a local beer. We were joined by a group of noisy teenage kids who showed up for a midnight swim. 

Baddeck

August 11th and 12th Baddeck

On route to Baddeck we had to pass under the draw bridge at the Barra Straits. Our fellow cruisers were stopping at Maskell's Harbour for the evening so we popped in for an afternoon swim and a beer and then bid our Nova Scotia friends farewell before heading on up the lake to Baddeck. Another scorcher day on the lake -awesome! We were on a mooring ball in Baddeck so we called the marina and had ice delivered by water taxi. Too funny!Whipped up some seafood chowder with coconut milk for dinner.  The following day was spent poking in all the tourist shops and walking about town. We all enjoyed Alexander Graham Bell's museum and got caught in a downpour on the way home. Too bad we left the hatches open on the boat!  Later, we took the water taxi back to town and went out for a lovely dinner as this was Dorothy's last evening with us on our excellent adventure. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and we'll never look at bouys as plain & boring again! LOL. 

Orangedale

Aug 10th Orangedale        This day started off with Dorothy whipping up an amazing breakfast of eggs benedict. Many fantastic meals are made in our little galley! We left Crammond Islands under beautiful sunny skies and went on to sail the West Arm of the Bras D'ors. The wind was good but we were heading into it so we sailed when we could and motored the rest. We took a lunch break at Little Harbour and had a swim. After a long, winding course through many islands we arrived  at Orangedale. A picturesque little spot that was once a thriving railway hub for the transportation of goods. Dorothy checked out the former railway station which the town has restored as a museum. We are travelling with Bruce and Cheryl, Freddy and Sandra, George, & Garry and Sandy. That evening Freddy entertained us by playing guitar and singing. 

West Bay

Aug 9th West Bay, Crammond Islands

We left St. Peter's and beat our way in 16kn winds to Crammond Island. This is the same island that we went to 20 years ago when we rented a boat with the kids when they were little. They still remember the fire crackers that would go off underwater. Still a nice spot although the entrance seems to be silting up - a couple of boats grounded on their way in. Bruce and Cheryl beached their boat and we rafted to them.  Today was a scorcher! We all went for a swim in the lovely warm salty water. 

St. Peter's

Aug 7& 8th St. Peter's

We crossed over to St. Peter's with a 18 knot west breeze and the sun shining. We headed into the tidal lock which Parks Canada operates. This is the only tidal lock in North America with two sets of gates on each end. Parks Canada also work the swing bridge on the lake side. This was my second time here in two years. Jerry, the harbour master welcomed us to the lovely St. Peter's Y.C. like old friends. We provisioned for the next few days and hiked the St. Peter's Trail. We were happy to sit out a rainy evening secure at the dock as there was a forecast of 40 knot winds in the vicinity.  Tomorrow we head into the Bras D'or Lakes.  I

Isle Madame

August 5th , Isle Madame 

We crossed the Strait of Canso and over to the Isle Madame and the Lennox Passage Yacht Club. We are now in Cape Breton.  It was a " dial in perfect sailing day"!Bruce and Cheryl, who we met in Port Aux Basques last year met us at the dock.

The town was hosting its annual harbour days festival and the place was full of partying to the wee hours.

They had a fish and chip truck, a muscle stand, and the Cape Britain music was in full gear from 3 to midnight. It rained a bit but the big top tents saved the day.

Canso Marina

August 4th Canso Marina

We had a great sail, taking  Andrews Island to starboard and entered the Strait of Canso, landing at the marina. Canso is a small town with history dating back to the 1800s with

the French and  English fighting for possession and control of the fishing industry.

We visited the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre about the local history of the nearby Grassy Island fishing and merchant village. It is a Canadian historic site. As we walked about town,

we were admiring the ghost in the window of a 205-year-old home owned by the Hart family, but now a summer home. The neighbours are caretakers of the house. When Margaret , the neighbour, saw us gawking she stopped to talk to us and obliged us with a tour.It was an interesting place,three stories  high and about 4000 ft.² with an assortment of antiques dating back to 1800s. Thanks to the great people of Canso for sharing their local knowledge and time with us and lending us a vehicle to get groceries!

Drum Head

Aug 3rd Drum Head

We were heading for Goldboro but stopped at  Drum Head fishing village instead. This is a small village with small houses and a very dilapidated wharf. It was a foggy passage but a good sail and Dorothy made curry chicken for dinner which was wonderful.

Liscombe Lodge

August 2nd Liscombe Lodge

After another fine sailing day, we passed Ships Harbour and Little Liscombe Bay. We had a long motor up river to the lodge. There was no room for us to dock overnight so after we picked up ice and water we anchored close by behind Rileys Island for the night. 

Malagash Cove

August 1st Malagash Cove

Today we  stopped for lunch and a swim in Marie Joseph Bay. Beautiful hot sunny day!   Dorothy took the first watch once the sails were hoisted. We anchored in Malagash Cove in the Mushaboom Harbour region.  Wildlife sightings have been sparse, however we did see a fin whale which dove quite close to the boat. We are once again in the company of gannets which remind us of the pelicans back home. Once we were anchored and set up, I caught 10 mackerel  in 10 casts. It was really fun!

Jeddore harbour

July 31st Jeddore Harbour 

Sailed from Halifax on a broad reach to Jeddore Harbour. It was shallow getting into Jeddore harbour but the channel was well marked. This area of Nova Scotia is far less populated. 

Halifax

July 27 to the 31st Halifax

Joann and I sailed into Halifax about 3 o'clock and Dorothy moved aboard.

We had a lovely time visiting the tall ships, we heard Natalie McMaster in concert and checked out the public gardens. The Royal Nova  Scotia Yacht Squadron was huge with a racing boat fleet of 65 boats. They even have two pools and a great restaurant. $2.25 / foot for berthing and  $4 a bag for ice -17 acres takes money to maintain. Very nice. 

Sambro Harbour

July 26th Sambro Harbour 

The sun came out and we headed out sailing until the wind died. I tried my hand at  cod fishing and caught three but they were full of worms. Sambro Harbour  has a mix of fishing and pleasure boats. We went for a walk and found an ice cream stand - had dessert before dinner.  Dorothy arrived safely and found her way down to the harbour for a visit.

Rogues Roost

July 25 Rogues Roost

It was a rain day with high  winds and waves so we stayed put for the day. We played cards, baked a cake, read books and Joann beat me at crib and I beat her at Wizard. We even had time to cook a whole chicken.