Nova Scotia Day 1 - Lunenburg

We had started Wednesday in PEI with fog. Then we had quite a bit of rain but then, contrary to the forecast, the clouds lifted and, by the time we arrived in Halifax, there was glorious sunshine. It was the same in Peggy’s Cove and we were glad of the air conditioning in the car en route.

It was a 2 hour drive to Lunenburg and, when we arrived, Jim allowed us an hour and a half to see what was to be seen.. We got parking at the waterfront which was great as the waterfront was one of the areas I had planned to see. Old Town Lunenburg (a UNESCO site) has a colourful waterfront with red wooden warehouses and crystal blue water. The best view (which we discovered later) is from the golf course across the harbour. The streets are narrow with wonderful old buildings. It deserved a lot more time than we had but we did the best we could.

One of the attractions is Bluenose II, a sailing ship that is currently undergoing a major restoration. We visited it in the dockyard and, not being seafarers, probably did not appreciate it. A young woman that we met earlier had waxed lyrical about it. Bluenose II is a replica of the Bluenose schooner which was built in 1963 as a promotional yacht for Oland Brewery and became Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador in 1971.

Jim's Masonic past is coming back to haunt him as everywhere we go there is a Masonic Hall - some are adapted for other purposes.









We wandered through the narrow streets admiring the architecture of the houses. One house, The Knaut-Rhuland House Museum was open to visitors. It is a well-preserved 18th century house, a fine example of Georgian architecture. It was built for Benjamin Knaut 1n 1793. 

 Benjamin Knaut was the son of the one of the most prominent foreign Protestants to settle Lunenburg in 1753. He sold this house in 1813 to Conrad Rhuland, a grandson of another of Lunenburg's original settlers.In 1823, Rhuland sold the house toJohn F. Creighton, an important provincial politician. The house remained in the Creighton family until 1906.

The exhibition in the house tells the story of the first 100 years of Lunenburg’s history since its settlement in 1753 through ‘the eyes’ of Benjamin Knaut, Conrad Rhuland and Catherine Creighton, who all resided in this house. We flew through the house to the amusement of the costumed interpreters who warned us to return on a day when we had more time. We assured them we would! Maybe we will because we have already seen enough to entice us back.

We made a brief stop at St. John's Anglican Church which was very impressive.

Other buildings in Lunenburg.












We proceeded to Blue Rocks which we had been told was very nice - and it was!

A Christmas Tree  in July!

And then over to the Golf Course for the views of Lunenburg!

Another 2-hour journey and we were at the Holiday Inn chosen for us by giggly Sarah.. Truro is in the Bay of Fundy region and has lots of attractions of its own. It is most famous for its tidal bore when the force of the incoming tide against the outflow of the Shubenacadie River forms roller-coaster waves that can be up to 4 metres (14 ft.) high. This phenomenon was anticipated at 12 midnight and at 12 noon the following day. We were too tired for the midnight one and by noon we planned to be in Cape Breton, doing the Cabot Trail. We had to content ourselves with dinner and a few beers/wines and then early to bed for an early rise in the morning.

Jim drove around 10 hours on Wednesday!