Author: Adventure For Two

I am from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada and I'm back from traveling with my husband on an expat assignment to foreign lands. 2011-2012 we were in Shenyang, China. Spring 2012- Spring 2013 we were in Resende,RJ Brazil then back to Shenyang, China in July 2013 until the end of July 2014. Expat life WAS amazing! Adventure abounds no matter where we travel to. We really enjoyed the amazing opportunity to live and experience culture and tradition in these places. BUT now we are finished and adjusting to life in our small town in Canada. Our days of travel and adventure are not over.

O Deer!

Backyard Visitors Take TWO

Well I don’t have the pics to prove it BUT I know exactly ~~who~~ what came! They ACTUALLY came VERY close to the house. Right up to my deck.

They LOVE the luscious green leaves that this summer has produced in gardens. I’m aware of their taste and I’ve been trying to keep them from enjoying their garden salad in my yard. We have been trying Iris Spring soap around the garden and in pots. It’s supposed to work, I guess it didn’t this time. Short of David going outside in the middle of the night and peeing on the garden ( I hear they don’t like male human pee) we’re gonna have to get some blood meal to try and see if that works.

So…the lovely green hostas on my step…

Well you get the picture!

( And the flowers off the top in the garden) Yes, O deer!

Backyard Visitors

Sunday. Monday. Tuesday….It’s only Wednesday BUT what a rainy week! Our 2 week Nova Scotia summer is over and it feels like cool rainy fall weather. I am so very thankful for the 2 week vacation we had the first part of July…the weather was gorgeous!

We’ve been put on hold with our backyard garden project. It’s kinda hard to work when it’s rainy and soggy. We actually have less to do than we thought because we shifted our plan, a little more restructuring to make the best use of the small space, and some of it won’t be able to be started and completed until next summer. So that means less to do this summer! But it would be nice to finish up what we have started.

In the meantime I am so pleased with how it’s coming along. I’ll soon post a few pictures. One of the goals I had was to make my garden bird friendly. I wanted to see and hear birds in the morning, I love watching them. So I put out a couple feeders and bird baths and the birds are coming! They found them and have been frequent visitors. I love them and of course Abby does too. She sometimes tries to case the birds and two chipmunks that have been visiting. It’s hard to get the pictures because they are still a little camera shy!

This rainy weather is “for the birds” (and our new front lawn) Waiting patiently for the sun to return… Have a GREAT east coast day!

Just overnight…

It’s a short stay. L’Hermione the replica French frigate was in Lunenburg overnight and will sail out this morning to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon on her way back to France.

I love our Nova Scotia ambassador ship The Bluenose, she’s a beauty but to see this ship…up close…WOW!!!! She’s something else.

Saturday morning, one of the largest tall ship replicas ever built sailed into Lunenburg and lots of people were on the dock ready to greet her. The ship was led into the harbour by The Bluenose! I would have loved to been there ( totally forgot) A few photos( not mine) of her arrival…

L’Hermione is a replica of General Lafayette’s 18th century ship that carried him to the United States from France to announce his country’s support in the fight for independence in the War of 1812. The 65-metre long ship was completed in 2014, after 17 years of construction. The project cost $34 million dollars and was built using 18th century materials and tools.

Our youngest son James works at one of the restaurants at the Port of Lunenburg and got to serve the lunch, and dinner event on board the L’Hermione yesterday. This morning there is a brunch and then this beautiful French ship…one that you imagine from stories of old…will sail out of Lunenburg again ( it’s only stop this tour in Canada) and be just another wonderful memory for the people along the East Coast of Canada!

We did go see L’Hermione and Here are a few photos…

Safe journey L’Hermione. Thanks for stopping by!

Interesting History

Historic Properties also known as Privateer’s Wharf are warehouses on the boardwalk in downtown Halifax at the waterfront that were constructed during the Napoleon War by businessmen ( actually privateers, and smugglers) whose vessels defied the blockade to bring supplies to the British Commander, Duke of Wellington. These properties helped make Halifax prosperous in Canada’s early days by aiding trade and commerce, but they were also frequently used as vehicles for smuggling and privateering. The historic properties reflect the time period beginning with the War of 1812. The main contribution of Nova Scotia in the war was privateers. Over 35 Nova Scotian Privateers seized more than 200 American merchant ships and their cargo. Merchants and traders bought them at auctions in Halifax and promptly resold them. In many cases, they even resold the Americans their own goods. Privateering was a risky. Interesting history…

Today they are shops and restaurants and interesting architecture. Great places to walk on a beautiful day, grab a bite to eat and take some photos.

Love this guy…

demonstrating how all the forms of public punishment were used for that time period.

He’s my anchor!We had a FUN day! And today… we are celebrating our 29th Wedding Anniversary!

Overlooking the Harbour

High on the hill overlooking the Port, she was built to protect the Capital.

It’s obvious when you see the layout,why this strategic hilltop location with a commanding view of the Halifax harbour was chosen in 1749 for the fort destined to protect the city. The star-shaped Halifax Citadel is a MUST see destination for locals and tourists a like.

Take a step back in time, with a guided tour, changing of the guard, bagpipe music, period dress. Have a coffee and treat at the coffee shop, a walk through history in the museum…This is an experience you won’t want to miss!

She’s Called Nova Scotia

My province. Such a beautiful place.

Ok something we NEVER do is stop at the tourist information centre between New Brunswick in to Nova Scotia. I mean, why would we? Nova Scotia is our home.

This vacation we stopped, just for FUN, and it is a lovely information centre and rest stop for tourists visiting our province.

WELCOME to Canada’s Ocean Playground!

YESTERDAY…Last day of vacation

It’s back to work early this morning for David. We had such a wonderful two weeks exploring our beautiful province. A place where tourists from all over the world visit and return year after year. We are blessed that’s for sure!

YESTERDAY, We spent our afternoon enjoying Lunenburg. One of our favourite towns very close to home. We had a leisurely lunch on the waterfront at The Old Fish Factory with our youngest son ( he works there so it was nice for him to be off working hours and join us). Then we got dessert at David’s favourite spot, Sweet Treasures. And enjoyed strolling the streets browsing some shops and just enjoying the afternoon together.

BEAUTIFUL LunenburgAnd today it’s back to work, and back to routine for me.

Today is July 13th. 13 more days and it will be ONE YEAR since we’ve returned from expat. July 26th we flew home from China. I gave myself a year…a year to adjust…a year to eat and do whatever I wanted…because of what we missed being away…

That year is over…pretty much. NOW, it’s time to stop procrastinating, time to stop dwelling on the fact that China will always have a piece of my heart, and Brazil will always be fondly in my memories of our time there. It’s time! TIME to stop procrastinating and live my life to the “fullest” here and now and find what truly makes s me happy here!!!

Have a great Monday my friends and the start of a brand new week!

A Festival of crafts

I LOVE Festivals and Special Events in the Summer. Picturesque Lunenburg has a few such events during the summer. This weekend was the Annual Lunenburg Festival of Crafts.

Nova Scotia’s most talented craft producers and local artisans. The festival includes traditional Lunenburg food and great entertainment. There are so many “crafty” people in this province. I especially love to see and talk to vendors that are recycling things or “young entrepreneurs” that are earning some “summer money”.

Haha and part of the fun of craft fairs is sampling all the tasty products! ( James and David love this part)If you’re driving in the area, you will notice a couple more local craftsman…crafting the colourful Adirondack chairs! I love them. We have one and I would really like to add a couple more to my collection along with a rocking chair. Hmm? So many choices and so many colors!!! Decisions.

Racing Dragons

Dragon boat racing is observed and celebrated in many areas of east Asia. They are traditionally held as part of the June Dragon Boat Festivals all over China. However, when we lived there we searched all over our area to find such a thing to observe, with no luck. They were mostly held in Southern China the years we lived there.

What I didn’t realize, is that for the last 18 years there has been Dragon Boat Races in our own backyard. Well, you know, close to us… in Dartmouth at Lake Banook.

This year July 11 is the 18th Annual Manlife Dragon Boat Races.

Dragon Boat Racing is the “ultimate” in team paddling races! The crew of a standard dragon boat is typically 22, comprising 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow of the boat, 1 drummer or caller at the bow facing toward the paddlers, and 1 sweep (a steerer) standing at the rear of the boat. Dragon boats however vary in length and the crew size will change accordingly, from small dragon boats with 10 paddlers up to the traditional boats which have upwards of 50 paddlers, plus drummer and sweep.

It was a lot of fun to be at this event today and see the racing. There was even a small performance of Chinese culture…dragon dance, Chinese ladies dance, and a young guy playing the erhu with a bit of an east coast fiddling style!

After the races, we decided it would be fun to eat at “The Great Wall”, a Chinese restaurant in downtown Halifax. It was lovely authentic atmosphere and what made it perfect was that there was a family beside us visiting from Shanghai speaking Chinese and eating “the Chinese way”

The whole experience just made me smile! A great day.

At the very tip!

We took our Volvo off roading…

out to one of the very tips of our province, to Cape d’Or.

I was curious, I wanted to see what was there.

This place is absolutely AMAZING for views!!

Cape d’Or is located at the north point of the entrance to the Minas Basin.

There are dramatic 200 m cliffs on the western side and 30 m cliffs on the southern side overlooking treacherous tidal currents in the Minas Channel. The Cape was named by French explorers (Cape of Gold) because of the bright copper deposits. Most of the Cape is heavily forested, but the areas beside and above the lighthouse are cleared and grassy providing excellent long-distance views in good weather.

There is also a restaurant and accommodations at this point which in my opinion would make a relaxing getaway! Could you imagine watching the sun rise and set in such a place?