Sunday was a simply spectacular sunny day and we left our Royal Nova Scotia Squadron marina to see Halifax from water this time. The views were simply spectacular and there was plenty to see from the old city marina to the Atlantic Naval facilities of Canada, to a ship repair station right next to it. As we learned from our visit to the Maritime Museum the entire city was basically viped out by the Great Explosion following the colision of the two ships during the time of the First World War, and was completely rebuilt in prety much an authentic way in the years following that event. Now we see many new modern buildings and two story apparment complexes that on the lower level house shops, restaurants and coffee shops along the board walk of the old harbor. There are a couple of historic old ships in the harbor too of which one is the famous Acadia, and for many years she served as the mapping ship of this whole region of Nova Scotia and Cape Brenton. Next to it is a Naval ship 181 that accompanied many of the Naval fleets going to Europe during the World War Two time. She was a ‘cruiser’ of its kind and survived where many ships of her fleet were distroyed.

After coasting along this very rapidly growing city with it’s three Universities we depart passing by the isle of St. George’s which in centuries passed was used to inprison the so unwated and disliked Acadian people that came from France as settlers. Some of same desendants of those settlers went to the area of New Orleans where they seemed to have had less problems than in these British controled lands of the north.
Out into the big open waters we go again on our way to Peggy’s Cove, the next point of interest on our agenda. In the vicinity of this cove we remember the unfortunate Swiss Air crash of 1994 which carried 2 mil.$ worth of Iranian Jems, a Sudi Sheik and a highly ranking UN official. Peggy’s Cove is one of the most photographed places in the world and here we are right next to it’s picturesque lighthouse and the smooth rolling bolders on which it stands. As we are gliding along this magnifisent sight the sound of Scotish bag pipes appears in the distance. This you cannot memorialize in a photograph but only in the memory banks of your heart.


As clear as the day was as present those big swells of the north Atlantic were as well. Onward we go in surch for adventure and new beautiful places to see and experiance. Our encounters are many and our stops to witness them are far from long, yet we take it all in as much as possible. Eventually we turn the corner and get that wind out of our face heading into the area of the famous Nova Scotia Martha’s Vinyard, named Chester.
What a display of green rolling hills of islands on which some have a magestic home or estate all to themselves. There are numerous homes of mostly old money, as they say, and of families that have been coming to Chester for ove a hundred years and from generation to generation. LL Bean, Levy Strauss etc. are just a few of the names mentioned. Lovely town with five star restaurants, pattisserie shops and all that comes with a clientelle of that nature.There are art galleries and art events taking place throughout the summer months and as we learned for those that remain in the winter months there are art classes of all sorts available for every hearts desire.

Since there is a Sailing Regatta taking place in Chester there are no spots available for us to dock or stay at, which makes us move on to the only available marina that has a floating dock, water and possibly power that we require. It is the Gold River Marina, a place well tucked in up the river just around the corner from Chester, yet as we later learned quite a boat building facility. There are some beautiful peaces of art like sailboats in their hangers being worked on as we speak. Not only is this a discovery but the manager of the facility is the most special and heart warming lady by the name Cindy. With her bright smile and the most positive disposition you could ever have she gives us not only a guided tour of the yard but takes us with her car into Chester which is just 10 min car ride away. She drives us on to roads with spectacular views and some lovely old and new homes. She is a wealth of information on town residents, activities and even real estate. Cindy is determined to find us a lovely cottage or home to rent next summer comming for she wants us back to stay for a while. Next morning she arrives with a box of most delightful French pastries for breakfast. Thank you Cindy and God bless your every day crowned with happiness and joy!