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.