Maritimes 4 - finale - PEI

Squeeking in my final Maritimes post before November appears.

Before boarding the Ferry from Pictou to Prince Edward Island,
we took a drive to the point lighthouse

and saw the earlier Ferry on it's way - a pretty site to see.

We haven't been to the island since the Confederation Bridge was built!

Views along the way. The Lighthouses never get tired!

Our home for
the next few days.



Cool, rainy but it didn't 
deter us from exploring
and staying cozy.

Another Point Prim!

Yummy Restaurant next to the Lighthouse at the Point.

From our "base camp" we travelled to the Belfast area in

hunt of Koleszar Pottery - it was basically closed but an interesting

visit non-the-less.

The owners were busy splitting wood left by the damaging Dorion storm

and let us poke around their farm gardens and mostly empty 

pottery shop.

By chance, on the way back, we happened on to a fabulous little wool shop,

including live sheep at Belfast Mini Mills.

The incredible hand dyed wool really made me wish I could knit!

I purchased a skein of ribbon yarn - maybe I'll crochet a necklace sometime?

The following day we travelled to Charlottetown in the rain.

Our truck turned from black to red but, never mind, it was worth the trip!

Beautiful Historical Homes on our walking tour

Eckhart the mouse guided us to must see places down town!

Can you find him? (at the base of the clock).

He helped us find Cows!!

Another great find in the City Hall was this mural made up of 864 individual tiles,

painted by members of Council, City staff, visitors, and citizens of Charlottetown.

It was a legacy project for Canada's 150th birthday celebrations in 2017!

This is one of 150 such murals across Canada to act as a visual time capsule.

When pieced together, they make up a train that includes symbols and landmarks

representing each of the provinces and territories.

It would be fun to find all 150 of them!

By this time we were starting to feel like drowned "rats" (sorry Eckhart)

and found a most wonderful eatery to warm up and refuel.

So thankful that my farmer is so great at searching out the best of the best

restaurants - he's my personal Trip Advisor?

Gahan House Fish Tacos.
They brew the best Blueberry Beer too!

So the rain let up a bit and we found Sir John A. on a park bench.

Had a brief chat about the weather!

On the way back through the red muddy streets (construction areas) 

to our campsite we searched out Hannah's Bottle Village.

A wee village made from bottles and concrete.

Heading North-East on the next day we saw more storm damage.

Flattened corn fields and more downed trees.

Stopped in Souris for a great lunch at the Poke Shack.

Yummy Rice bowl/box!!

The shoreline here is rugged and beautiful - walked the beach 

and breathed in the delicious sea air.

Along the way we stopped to see the beautiful, Designated Heritage Lighthouse,

East Point Lighthouse - amazing!

The weather wasn't great but the food sure was ...

Stopped at The Blue Mussel Cafe - North Rustico Harbour

 (another one that the farmer had researched)

and it was well worth the drive.

After finding a nearly abandoned camp ground - Winter Bay Camp Ground,

we got dressed up a bit and went on a date night

to the high energy Ross Family Caleigh in Clinton.

One of their last performances for the season.

After a night of heavy rain and much dampness we woke to a welcome

partly sunny sky and made our way to see the Cove Head Lighthouse

in Brackley-Dalvay National Park

Onward to Cavendish ... the park was closed but we were able

to stop and see that memorable Cavendish Red Beach.

It took my breath away and I remember this sight from many years ago.

Our final campground in PEI was Linkletter Provincial Park.

From our site we could see the Confederation Bridge!!

Drove to Summerside for a light panini supper and prepared

ourselves for the long trip back home.

Aw - the bridge!

Farewell to PEI - hope to come back someday soon

to see the rest of you.

When the farmer is headed home, LONG driving days are unstoppable.

The colourful forests whizzed by us on the Trans Canada Highway

through New Brunswick!

One stop over in Levi, Quebec for the night and then

full speed ahead to home.

Apparently it's been raining back home too!

Till next time - Happy and safe Hallowe'en to you wherever you are ... November here we come.

Maritimes - Part 3

The last week in October - here we are.

It's time to add to my Maritimes posts because I'll soon forget

what we experienced over a month ago!!

I will let the following picture story show how much we loved the beautiful

province of Nova Scotia (New Scotland).

We were greeted at the Tourist Information Centre by a lone bagpiper who 

was out in spite of a windy and quite chilly day.

Such a nice welcome!

Tonight's campground was on Cape Split.

High on a bluff on a cold and blustery day.

Cape Blomidon - now I know why they named it this!

Blow Me Down!

There was lots of Dorion storm damage here.

We entered this unmanned park and found a sheltered site with a view!

One of our first glimpses of the extreme tides of the Bay of Fundy!

Other campers, also seeking shelter for the night,  joined the small parade of trailers.

A simple dinner of beef stew kept us cozy and warm.

If you followed the Canadian Amazing Race recently you would have

seen the episode on Wolfville, NS

Sampled and purchased some of Wolfville's apple cider

What a lovely area - we just had to find the winery (Luckett) with the telephone booth.

There it was and the farmer was making a call?

Our campground for the next few nights, a beautiful "look off" at Valleyview Campground.

Met a wonderful couple from Dartmouth who were also enjoying the view!

Digby Scallops - worth the drive!!

We loved the Digby Neck area of this province and stayed several days 

to explore Annapolis Royal sites, lighthouses, forts, gardens, and tastes.

Point Prim sunset

Quilt airings caught my eye

several times!

This seafood chowder was probably the 

best I had ever tasted!!

A small restaurant filled with locals and

highly recommended by them as well.

The Crow's Nest!

So glad we found this place.

We went back for dinner that night too.

Fort Royal

Found these National Park Red chairs throughout the provinces!
Always with an incredible view.

Fort Anne's chairs

A view through antique glass at the beautiful Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal!

We could have spent many more hours in these beautiful Historic gardens.

Beautiful views along the way ...

From our "base" camp at Valleyview we took a day trip to 

Kejimkujik National Park - well worth the time to check out this beautiful park.

Much of it was closed - also due to Dorion's damage.

Another worthwhile hike was near the tip of the Digby Neck

to find the Balancing Rock.

Check out this link about this natural wonder.

Before leaving the area we drove back to Annapolis Royal for the 

Saturday morning market.

It was lovely to meet so many wonderful folks from Ontario

who have moved here to make this their home!

I think I could live here for awhile! Right across from the Harbour.

We would love to return to this area again someday.

For the rest of this day we travelled to Pictou, NS

and checked in to our campground (Harbour Light Campground)

Delicious dinner of pan fried Haddock

and a great sunset view of the Hector a museum ship at the Harbour Front!

Lighthouse sunsets never got old!!!

After a good night's sleep and some laundry done,

we hit the road to meet our ferry ride to PEI ... next chapter to follow.

Beautiful (I think I used that word quite often here and it surely is true about this province)

If you are still reading - thank you and my apologies for this long post!

In the meantime - back at the old farm:

Frozen Bird Bath

Pumpkins

Tonight's 2 minute "flash" sunset!!!

Till next time ... enjoying a warm cozy fire on this Sunday Evening. Hope you and yours are well and able to enjoy this colourful season. God bless ...