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.
We’ve had a gorgeous few days. Rain last week to water our newly sod lawn and then sunshine and lots of sunshine and it’s been growing!!! When you first lay sod it has all kinds of lines and rectangles. It doesn’t blend in like normal grass does and it takes a little while. But because it has been growing so nicely the lines are disappearing quickly and it’s looking great, we are so pleased!! And after a few weeks…TONIGHT, was the very first mow. Now there’s new lines…this time from mowing.
This weekend lots of sunshine. So we’ve been relaxing in between work and enjoying the sun. Getting some tan lines! lol
Another beauty!! We really have to take advantage and do something on these beautiful evenings. One last night, another tonight. These are what we long for during the cold East Coast Winters. Summers can be busy too, but it’s nice to enjoy the evenings.
This evening, the other side of the river…and one of our favourites… Lunenburg!
There are some really interesting fun places in Nova Scotia. It’s kinda funny to listen to people say these names, attempt to say these names if they’re not from here.
And then if that’s not bad enough there are communities with really unusual or interesting names…
Chance Harbour, Chimney Cove, Coffee Corner ( I like this one) Economy, Ecum Secum, Meat Cove, Old Sweat, Repulse Bay, ZigZag Island…
Picturesque Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. A photographer’s dream. This colourful town is always a highlight to visit and capture a photo or two and the great thing…it’s only 20 minutes from my home! People come from all over the world to Lunenburg.
The Old Fish Factory & Museum in Lunenburg by James Goode, Travel Photographer
One reason is that it is the home port of the famous Bluenose II.
Bluenose II by James Goode Travel Photographer
Bluenose II is Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador. A replica of the original Bluenose schooner, launched in 1921 and raced undefeated in international competition for 17 years. In 1963, the Bluenose II was built from identical plans as the Bluenose. She was built in the same shipyard of Smith and Rhuland by some of the same men who had constructed the Bluenose before her. In 1971, Bluenose II was sold to the government of Nova Scotia for $1 by the Oland family of Halifax and has served as Nova Scotia’s tall ship sailing ambassador ever since.
On September 29, 2012, celebrations took place in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in honour of the relaunch of Bluenose II. The schooner has been completely rebuilt to ensure the vessel remains a constant presence on our waters for decades to come.
This year, the Bluenose II is ready to go! Sea trials and training the 18 crew members have been underway and for the next few weeks on nice days you’ll see the Bluenose II leaving her homeport on these training exercises. If all goes well by mid July, she should be ready to once again to be the ambassador she was built to be!
June 8 is designated as National Best Friend Day. It’s a day to celebrate your bestie!
Life wouldn’t be the same without best friends. They’re the friends that can be counted on to be there at a moment’s notice. The ones who love, laugh, support, and cherish – in both good and bad times. A picnic in the park, a get together over coffee, or a nice meal in a favourite restaurant are just a couple ideas to celebrate a close friendship. Should distance keep best friends apart…NO WAY! Technology today is better than it ever was for staying connected.
And another weekend comes to an end. Why do they go so quickly?
Last night after all the rain, the sunset was AMAZING! The promise of a beautiful day for today…AND it was.
Lunenburg Sunset by James Goode Travel Photographer
This afternoon we decided to go for a drive to Eastern Passage…it’s like the “other side” and down a bit from the Halifax Waterfront that I love so much. I’ve heard Eastern Passage and Fishermen’s Cove were interesting spots, but there is also a Provincial Beach there, MacCormack’s Beach ( I have never heard of) A really interesting spot!
Something we thought was so cool today…There was 2 vans with Chinese students digging clams at the beach.
We talked to one girl and asked where she was from, she said China. Haha We knew that because we recognized the language. She said North East China. So we asked what city ( we lived in North East China) She said Harbin close to Russia. SO COOL!!!!!! We told her we lived in Shenyang for a couple years…ANYWAY…
Fisherman’s Cove was an interesting spot with colorful shops, a government wharf, with boats and lobster traps. There was the beach and a nice boardwalk. Lots of interesting things to look at for a couple hours.
We ended our visit to Eastern Passage with Fish & Chips at the Wharf Wrap Restaurant. It was so good, huge pieces of haddock in a cracker crumb/batter with “secret family seasonings” So good!
I don’t usually like rainy Saturdays in the summer. It’s our day for FUN or WORK and both work best if it’s sunny and beautiful BUT today was cool and rainy and I’m thankful. BECAUSE….
Our front garden is finished! All but the watering. Now we just need to keep it watered well so the sod can take hold and it can root. Sod is so much better than seed. It’s GREEN immediately and it looks so beautiful!!
So in this case a rainy Saturday is ok, besides it gives us chance to do a few errands and get caught up on inside things. Here is the finished project:
What did you do on your Saturday? Was it raining or sunny where you are? 😀
Bleeding heart, Lilacs and Snowball Bushes. When I was a kid these were the common bushes in Grandmother’s gardens. I remember…the smell of lilac bushes, the pretty round white balls, and the delicate little hearts hanging on a vine, especially after the rain.
These plants aren’t as common today. There are so many new and interesting things for gardens, it’s hard to decide what to get. I do have a white and pink bleeding heart and my neighbour has the other two. So I do get to see the beauty of all three.
Ahh…the smell of lilacs….takes me right back to my childhood!
May 31st- June 6th , 2015 is considered National Tourism Week in Canada! It’s time to get out there and explore someplace you haven’t been before…ok well even some place you’ve been!
Just do it! Be tourists, do the things you would do if you went to a different province, or a different country. ENJOY and appreciate the area that you call HOME and that many people from all over the world come to visit. We have some AMAZING places!!! I have signed up to a few groups on Facebook and other places that showcase pictures of our beautiful province. It seems like EVERY day I see a new place to add to my list of places I want to explore this summer. When I tell David, he just says add it to the list!! He’s so great that way.
We may not have chance this particular week to explore but every chance we get we go…and summer vacay is coming. This year we are here and gonna cross some of those things off the list!
Here are just a few pics of the amazing local scenery courtesy of my youngest son James. Check him out on Facebook. James Goode, Travel Photographer
Just An East Coast Girl 