Two weeks later- What we have been up to while the boat dried out – Part 3.

“43:45.856N 65:19.626W”

7722 Miles since leaving Sandwich.

20^th June 2023

Lunenburg: Now Lunenburg is a real gem. A traditional harbour and proper tourist trap it is the home port of the schooner Bluenose. The current Bluenose is a replica of the racing schooner that held the fisherman’s trophy for 17 years in the 1920’s and is depicted on Canadian coins. She was in harbour when we visited and at 143ft with 10,000 square feet of canvas she makes an impressive sight.

Blue Nose II

Halifax: Capital of Nova Scotia we actually visited Halifax several times as we crisscrossed back and forth. The downtown harbour area is like the rest of Nova Scotia very clean and well kept. The whole dockyard area is now a tourist centre which allows a pleasant walk along the boardwalk facing the harbour. E visited the maritime museum and the citadel above the town both of which were very well done. The citadel has a complement of fully dressed English Redcoats who reenact the daily lives of the troops in the 18^th and early 19^th century. Fact I learnt, in 1917 an ammunition ship and a civilian aid ship, both destined for the war in France/Belgium, collided in the narrows of the harbour resulting in a fire and subsequent explosion was estimated at 2.9 kilotons the largest manmade explosion in history until the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. 1,630 homes were completely destroyed, 12,000 houses were damaged and 6,000 people were left without shelter in the wake of the event. Because of the explosion, windowpanes throughout Halifax were completely destroyed – leaving 41 people totally blind with a final total of eye injuries at 691.

Halifax from the Citadel thankfully fully recovered from past explosions.

And now you know as well. On a lighter note, if you watch quality television like what I do you will be familiar with the Netflix series Trailer Park Boys. We visited the site of the Sunnyside Trailer Park and found site of Bubbles café and Kitty hotel plus Rickys trailer and weed store were located, all to the evident disapproval of the real residents I note.

Entrance to Sunnyside Trailer Park.

The empty Lot where Bubbles Kitty hotel once stood.

Sackville: We crossed over into New Brunswick and spent a night in a rather splendid but creepy Victorian Mansion. I didn’t get the best out of this part of the journey as the back and rib injuries that I had sustained in the knockdown was now giving me serious Jip. When combined with the ergonomic seats in the Dodge Charger that dug into my ribs at very bend and bump, I was at this stage living on a cocktail of Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Zaipan, which did not make for a happy Paul. Anyway, the hotel was very clean but resembled a Victorian museum inside. Tony’s room came complete with a collection of porcelain dolls which I am sure has left far more mental scars than the sea rescue.

Lovely old Victorian Manse.

Ideal ornaments for a boys room, China dolls that do come alive at night.

Yes it is a museum – Albeit a very comfortable one.

Cavendish: We arrived in Cavendish on Prince Edwards Island a bit late after crossing the truly huge bridge that links New Brunswick with PEI. Fun fact the Confederation Bridge at 12.9 Km is the largest span bridge which crosses icy waters in the world. Cavendish was to be honest just a stopover town and to prove the point it was closed by 8 O’clock. The hotel was clean and modern with a swimming pool that was closed but it did rather look like the kind of place that had an option to rent the rooms by the hour. On a lighter and brighter note after a good night’s sleep and hot bath for my back breakfast was served by the friendliest and happiest Chinese man in the world. The breakfast was good, the service great, and he was a great start to that day and any other I would guess.