Friends for 75 years!!!

Celebrating our 81st.  

Last week I was gadding about with Pat W. and PJ in Nova Scotia.  We've been friends since first grade which was 75 years ago and that means we were also celebrating the year that we all turned 81.  Yes 2018 has been a big year for us.

We arrived in Halifax, (Pat W was sitting in my wheelchair.) 

After flying from Charlotte to Toronto (where we missed our flight to Halifax but were able to get another one) we arrived in  Halifax to spend a couple of days.

I wanted to be sure my friends saw some of the South Shore of  the province.  We of course hit Peggy's Cove and then Mahone Bay and Lunenberg.  Along the way we had to have a meal at the famous Tim Horton's.

Peggy's Cove

Beautiful Church in Mahone Bay. 

A pretty B & B in Mahone Bay. 

Lunch at Tim Horton's. 

Back in Halifax we visited Becky, Bruce, and Sherri Campbell, and we were charmed by their new little husky Juno.

Juno, the newest member of the Campbell family. 

Then off to Marble Mountain in our rented Lincoln MKK, a vehicle too smart for us.  We were constantly having to check the manual to see how something worked. 

Our Lincoln MKK.  Leaving for Cape Breton.  

The weather was perfect  and after we arrived in Port Hawkesbury we had dinner at the Fleur de Lis, shopped for groceries and headed out to Marble Mountain.  (to be continued)

The Little Foxes of Marble Mountain

These two look like "book ends" or mirror images. (All photos by Anthony Benson.) *

On my May trip to Marble Mountain, my son-in-law Anthony accompanied me.  He proved to be a terrific traveling companion, not the least because he is an expert photographer.   And upon our arrival we learned that a litter of eight foxes was being raised in a den under the unoccupied Catholic church in the village.  The baby foxes with their adorable antics proved to be a perfect subject for Anthony's photography on this trip.

The Catholic church in the village is not used.  There's not a sufficient congregation in the area. 

The entrance to the den under the back of the church. 

Although folks in the village confirmed there were eight in the litter, we only saw four out at the same time, and usually there would be maybe one or two.

Four at play.  

The foxes seemed to be accustomed to a car driving up and people watching them from a distance.
First they would stick their head out to see if the coast was clear, and then they would venture out. 

  Is it safe to came out?

Staying close to the entrance to the den. 

Wondering "Who are you?"

The mother fox and the father fox were always close by and were keeping check on their pups.

Papa fox keeping check.  

Mama fox checking out what's going on. 

Eventually the foxes would engage in playful activities, just like little dogs. 

I named this one Forrest as in "Run Forrest Run!."  

I can't wait until we return next May, because I know that foxes often use the same den for raising their pups year after year. Maybe there will be a litter under the church next year.  I hope Anthony will be along and that he will have his camera ready.

*Many thanks to Anthony Benson for accompanying me on this trip and for these exceptional photographs. 

Gadding About in Nova Scotia with my Friend Jeanette

Our house in Marble Mountain as seen from our beach.

A few weeks ago my friend Jeanette traveled with me to our place in Cape Breton.  It was the first trip to Eastern Canada for Jeanette, and we tried to take in a lot of sights.

The first of the trip was very frustrating because we missed our connection from Toronto to Halifax because of bad weather and we were stuck in the Toronto Airport for most of a day.  I used this as an opportunity to introduce Jeanette to Tim Horton's, Canada's Krispy Kreme.  The maple frosted donuts are particularly tasty.

Maple frosted donuts. 

We spent a few days along the South Shore of Nova Scotia.  Blue Rocks, Mahone Bay, and Peggy's Cove are all worthy of a visit.

Blue Rocks. 

St. James Anglican Church in Mahone Bay.

Mahone Bay on the South Shore.

Peggy's Lighthouse. 

Dan's cousin Bruce and his wife Becky provided us lodging for the one night we were in Halifax.  It's always fun to see them, and we especially enjoyed their three Huskies.

The Huskies. 

Our main visit was to Cape Breton and our place in Marble Mountain.  It is such a pretty place that we need not have ventured away from there, but we did make a few day trips.

Full moon over the Lake with reflection on our pond.

St. Peter's is a pretty little town on the east coast of CB and has several little restaurants that I like to frequent.  While in that area we drove over to Isle Madame and enjoyed the scenic views from the Acadian Villages.

Jen and Christene having lunch in St. Peter's. 

Isle Madame

Jeanette is a native of Australia, so a trip to Sydney, Nova Scotia was certainly on the agenda.  On the way over there is a lovely view from Kelly's Mountain looking down on the Seal Island Bridge that we traverse to reach Sydney.  A main attraction at the Sydney Port is the Giant Fiddle.

The Seal Island Bridge that we crossed to get to Sydney.

The Giant Fiddle in Sydney, NS. 

I believe Jeanette's favorite part of the trip was the visit to Bird Islands.  (Check back later for a blog on just the Bird Islands.)

Jen on the boat to Bird Islands. 

The last day we went to the Cabot Links Golf Course over in Inverness and up the Cabot Trail for just a bit.  A trip all the way round the Cabot Trail will have to wait for another time.

Looking out over the Cabot Links Golf Course. 

I hope I have whetted Jen's appetite for more trips to the Maritimes of  Eastern Canada for she is a gungho travel companion.

Jen and My First Airbnb: Beach Glass Retreat ~ Seaside

Airbnb looks out over Lunenburg Bay. (Photo from the Airbnb Website.)

On our recent trip to Nova Scotia, Jen and I booked our first Airbnb.  We stayed with a lovely family in Lunenburg Bay on Feltzen South Road.  Check out the website here.

Welcoming front door with nautical accoutrements. (Photo from the Airbnb website.)

View from our bedroom window on a foggy morning. 

Jen looking out over the bay. 

One of the baths. 

One of the bedrooms. 

We were greeted with a happy red door and nautical collections on the stoop. Our room was lovely with a spectacular view over Lunenburg Bay.  The nautical theme was apparent throughout the house.  Barb was a gracious host and served the most delicious breakfast.  The mango was served so that it looked like a flower with petals opened up.  There were other guests there, and it was nice to meet other travelers.

A wonderful breakfast and so beautifully presented. 

Living room looking down from the upstairs. 

Our bedside table was an old sea chest. 

Nautical artwork. 

Linens are line dryed when weather permits.  Fragrance is wonderful. 

Lovely backyard. 

Jen and I on back deck. 

If all Airbnbs are this special, then I will be booking more in my travels.

Marble Mountain Family Day

Lining up to buy tickets for the duck race.

Every summer as part of the Marble Mountain Festival,  Family Day is celebrated on a Sunday afternoon down on the waterfront and beach.  It's always fun and a chance to catch up with friends. There are lots of activities for kids and anyone who is young at heart.  Iris does the face painting. Burst a balloon with a dart and win a prize.  Toss the roll of toilet paper into the potty and win another prize. ( I tossed all three rolls and won a prize.). Buy a rubber ducky for the duck race ( In 2013 my duck won $50 for me.).

My duck number 4 won the race in 2013.

Face painting by Iris.

I got all three rolls in the potty. 

I'm waiting to burst balloons with darts.

Blake having a round of golf.

Wendy's  little grandson Blake was having fun playing golf.

There's music and hot dogs and ice cream.

Linda is busy selling hot dogs.

Folks out here know how to have fun the old-fashioned way, and I love it.