Nova Scotia – Page 24 – Just An East Coast Girl

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?

Years and Years ago…

How many we don’t know for certain. In the coal age…

These exposed layers of rock reveal the world’s most complete fossil record of life in the “Coal Age” when lush forests covered Joggins on the coast of Nova Scotia.

The swamp forests produced massive quantities of organic matter that, over years, created the coal deposits for which this period of history is named. Embedded in 15 kilometres of accessible coastal cliffs, rare fossils reveal details of life in the “Coal Age”.

The tide was coming in when we visited so we had a little time to explore the beach and look for fossils.

Interesting!

It’s Just MUD

ooey, gooey, deep rich reddish-brown MUD!!

Home to the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy is a 270 km long ocean bay that stretches between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast.We took a drive along the coastline of our beautiful province and a bit of the coast in New Brunswick that borders the Bay of Fundy. There are so many interesting little spots ( which I will blog in separate posts) It is really quite amazing to view at high tide and low tide. BUT underneath all that…as David says…

it’s just MUD!

The Ovens

The Sea Caves called “the ovens” are amazing especially at high tide when the water is washing in and out and creating cannon like noises. However tonight, it was low tide, and even though the views were spectacular it didn’t quite have the effect if it were high tide.

It’s a beautiful spot to go for a walk and enjoy the ocean anytime.

Beach Day

Beautiful pristine water, white sandy beach. One of my favourite beaches along the South Shore and today was a gorgeous day. It’s the kind of day you want at the beach and was perfect to show our nephew and his wife. She has never been to Nova Scotia let alone step foot in to the Atlantic Ocean. We were so happy to be able to show them one of many reasons Nova Scotian’s are proud of their beaches.

Lovin’ our beach day!

When in Digby…

You MUST have Scallops!

“The Scallops Capital of the World” so they say. Digby is known and is famous for its fleet of scallop trawlers and the “Digby Scallops”. Sea scallops are quite large and are perfect for pan searing. The part that is eaten is actually the adductor muscle that opens and closes the shell. Yum!

Local seafood is so delicious!

Balance is the key

Balance is the key to a happy, fulfilling life. Hard work and leisure, a lot of one and not too much of the other. An appreciation and enjoyment of both.

Today we went on a small hike to Balancing Rock in Tiverton, NS.

It’s a very easy groomed 2.5-km trail and 235-step staircase that leads to a platform with view of the Balancing Rock and St. Mary’s Bay. Just beautiful. This 9 meter high rock is a part of the North Mountain columnar basalt rocks which forms the cliffs along St. Mary’s Bay and the Bay of Fundy.

EVERYTHING Strawberries 🍓

It’s strawberry season! Fresh, local, sweet, red, delicious strawberries. I picked some up at the market, So I am making lots of delicious treats…

Strawberry pie and shortcake and salsa and just plain strawberries. Oh…how I’ve missed this goodness!

And today, this morning… we went Strawberry picking, the first U-pick of the season. It’s been a few years…So much fun!

And because it’s vacation, I came home and made biscuits so David could have fresh Strawberry Shortcake

Lovin’ EVERYTHING strawberries.

Our “Go To” Place

Only twenty minutes away and it’s just so lovely, I guess it’s become our “go to place” for dinner, a walk ( stroll) and dessert. Yes, Lunenburg.

Tonight we were in Lunenburg with our oldest son and fiancée for dinner. This time the Old Fish Factory was our choice. ( Our youngest son works there part-time, and was working tonight)There are three restaurants in Lunenburg we like. The Grand Banker, The South Shore Fish Shack and The Old Fish Factory & Ice House Bar. It is just a wonderful town.

A gorgeous evening!