Nova Scotia - a Taste of History and Geography!

Nova Scotia - a Taste of History and Geography!

Having arrived in Digby, Nova Scotia, for our latest house/pet sit, we decided to take advantage of the windy, but dry day, here on the Southwestern part of the province. 

Just at the end of the road where we are situated, there is the Point Prim Lighthouse - the fourth of such built there since 1804. It services the mouth of the Digby Gut, which connects the Bay of Fundy with the Annapolis Basin. The wind was whipping up the water so that the surf and white-capped waves really stood out when the sun showed itself. 

Prim Point Lighthouse, Digby

The Bay Ferry crosses from Digby to Saint John, N.B.

No holly on the bush, but Holly by the bush - like an early Christmas scene!

Just as we got there, we observed the arrival of the Bay Ferry, which connects Digby with Saint John, in New Brunswick, the crossing taking just 2 hours 45 minutes, cutting 3 hours off the journey by road. 

Passing through Digby, we stopped to take in the numerous fishing boats that were moored in the harbour. Just like so many of the houses in the area, the boats show themselves off in splendid, vivid colours. Digby is known for its world-famous scallops.

Digby Harbour

Digby Fish Market - Mark was able to get his first taste of fresh scallops from here!

The movie theatre in Annapolis Royal - also home to live performances

Our hosts had taken us into Annapolis Royal for breakfast, the morning before. We had used the highway to get there, but they recommended that we take the more scenic route which follows the Annapolis Basin. 

Our first destination, this morning, was Fort Anne, named for Queen Anne after the British replaced the French settlement of Port Royal, in 1710 (see below). The banks and ditches surrounding the moat provided great walkways and a couple of picnic areas. There were also a couple of buildings that emerged out of the earth mounds - the 'black hole', built in 1702, and the powder magazines of 1708. It was easy to see why the location was a perfect defence for the area, protecting an approach from the water. 

Fort Anne

View of the bay from the fort

Before leaving the town, we noticed a rainbow crosswalk, which made us feel right at home!

Several towns in Canada have painted these crosswalks to celebrate LGBGT communities

The next destination enabled me to check off a long-held bucket list item of mine. Back in 1992/1993, I had the honour of being a part of the original staff of a new school in Scarborough, Ontario. As the founding staff, we had input in the naming of the school. We chose the name, Port Royal Public School, after what was one of the first European settlements in Canada. 

Our Public School - with its emblem (a representation of the Habitation)

The French established the fort in 1605 (briefly named Charlesfort) and it remained in French hands until 1710, when it was renamed Annapolis Royal, after the Seige of Port Royal by the British. It was a personal thrill for me to visit the site and, although it was closed for the season and was undergoing renovations, it still allowed us to feel a sense of the past. 

Bust of Samuel de Champlain - one of the French founders of Canada

After spending some time there, we moved on towards Victoria Beach, from where we could see another perspective of Digby, just across the bay. 

Across the bay, the Bay Ferry may still be seen

Heading north east towards Port George and Margaretsville, we happened upon a quaint little area called Hampton Beach. 

We decided to take a break from the wheel, and hike along the rocky, stony shoreline. The scenery was breathtaking, and it was great to smell the redolence of the salty seaweed as the waves broke thunderously upon the shoreline. There's nothing quite like a good fresh ocean breeze to clear the head! 

We noticed how low the boats were sitting when the tide was out

Holly, the wonderful border collie we are looking after for the next three weeks, just loved it, and thoroughly enjoyed climbing some of the boulders, and sampling the taste of the foam from the spent waves - even though she got her front paws wet! 

"Uncle Mark and Uncle Alan... can I come, too, please?"

Lastly, we made our way to Middleton, where we stopped for a bite to eat before heading home along the highway. 

We had visited New Glasgow and Cape Breton, on the north-east coast of Nova Scotia, on our honeymoon, back in 2006. We had always wanted to visit the other parts of the province, and we're so grateful for this opportunity to explore the area. 

Older and Wiser? Questionable!!!

Older and Wiser? Questionable!!!

They say that we become wiser as we get older. We certainly hope that's true. It wasn't quite as bad as shown in this cartoon, but it wasn't far off!

About 15 years ago, Mark and I went out west to the Rockies, and we hired a canoe to take a short trip on one of the many beautiful lakes out there. We decided that Mark would steer from the back, and I would paddle in the front.

After about 10 minutes, my hips started to ache, and my legs were really sore. I started to complain that I was in pain and that I couldn't change the position of my legs to gain relief. After bombarding him with innumerable resounding moans and groans, Mark finally relented and we turned back. I felt as though I had let him down, but he was very understanding - (no surprises there!!).

Years later, once we had mastered the art of canoeing, we realized that we had seated ourselves at the wrong ends of the canoe and were, in fact, paddling the rear of the canoe at the front! No wonder there was no leg-room in the 'front'! Duh!!!

We've shared that story with our more enlightened friends since living up north. Some have been very gracious with their empathy. However, most have joined us in guffawing at our naivety! It has certainly given us many mirthful moments in the latter years - and we now enjoy comfortable canoe trips.

Increasing wisdom (or is it just plain, common sense??) has its benefits!!!

Tunnel Vision expands to much, much more...

Tunnel Vision expands to much, much more...

Last year, we saw an intriguing post on social media. Our friends, John and Dianne, had visited an old railway tunnel in Brockville, Ontario, and were raving about it. At the mention of railways, my interest was piqued, and Mark did some research and promptly placed the Brockville Railway Tunnel on our bucket list. Yesterday, we gave ourselves the tunnel experience, but - as usual - discovered much, much more when we explored the town of Brockville, itself. 

After parking near the tunnel, we started by fulfilling a basic need - the call of nature! The destination of relief was located on Blockhouse Island, just a few strides from the car. Emerging more comfortably (😊), we decided to explore the little island before heading to the main attraction. 

Marina on Blockhouse Island

View of the St. Lawrence River from the Island

Blockhouse Island, formerly known as Hospital Island, juts out into the St. Lawrence River. The waterfront in Brockville is a pleasure to see and experience. The island is a great place from which one can watch the cruise and cargo ships plying the waters of the International Seaway shipping channel. In fact, a huge tanker was just passing when we arrived. A central attraction is The Crow's Nest Bistro, an open-air restaurant right next to the quay where the 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises embark. With the marina on one side, and the open waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway on the other, it makes for a pleasant repast, or a casual cup of coffee, while enjoying the surroundings. 

We decided to walk around the perimeter of the islet (about a 10 minute stroll) and were delighted to see so many Muskoka chairs dotted around the park, all of which had been donated to the town.

Muskoka/Adirondack Chairs - donated to the town

There are a few features that stand out - the light beacon at the end of the park, a replica of an RCAF warplane, a flower display showing an anchor, and a beautiful memorial dedicated to women who have suffered from violence. 

Light beacon at the end of the island

(The following movie clip is best viewed in FULL SCREEN)  

A short movie clip showing the Memorial dedication

We spent about half an hour just enjoying the park, and taking advantage of the Muskoka chairs, while sitting in the shade. 

We were now ready to explore the tunnel. 

This is an interesting (or as a sign indicated) - an amazing place! Canada's first railway tunnel was completed in 1860 after many controversial debates at council level. Many thought that it would be better, and more economical, to direct the railroad track around the town but, those in favour of constructing a tunnel that would go directly under the town on its way north, would win out. The town hall was erected above the tunnel shortly after it was in use. The tunnel was built to connect the growing port of Brockville and its industrial waterfront area with the outlying areas between the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. It was in use until 1969. 

The Town Hall, under which the tunnel was built

In 2017, the tunnel, which had been restored and repaved, was opened to the public as part of the Brockville trail system. 

Entrance to the tunnel

The first thing we noticed was the drop in temperature - which felt like a difference of 15 degrees (C) - a welcome change from the heat outside. The tunnel is 1721' in length, and includes 13 information panels. Continual light displays of colour punctuate the experience when walking from one end to the other, and the music that permeates the length of the tunnel is proudly Canadian. (If you listen carefully, you'll hear Mark singing along with Great Big Sea in their rendering of, "When I'm Up, I can't get down"! ) 

If you listen carefully, you'll hear Mark singing!

We took a slow walk to the other end of the tunnel, taking in the different colours in the mineral deposits that had been accentuated by the running groundwater. Even without the coloured light display, the rockface on the side and above was fascinating. 

Groundwater continually drips in the tunnel

At one point, a ring of red light traveled the entire length of the tunnel, accompanied by the sound of a passing train, giving the visitor a taste of what it would have been like, back in the day. 

You can hear the train sound effect towards the end of this short video clip

The tunnel had ventilation shafts to help dissipate the clouds of steam and smoke, and there was an extraction shaft halfway along which provided access during the blasting process during construction.

Extraction Shaft, looking up from directly below

Ventilation shafts

Apparently, there are plans to extend the walking trail beyond the tunnel, through a second tunnel along the gorge at the other end. 

Gorge at the other end of the tunnel, with second tunnel used by the railway

All in all, it was an excellent, educational experience, and one that we would recommend to anyone visiting the area. 

Diagrammatic representation of the full length of the tunnel showing the town above

Attracted by the unusual spires of a couple of churches in the town (when we were parking), we resolved to explore some more before leaving. We're so glad we did, as we came upon some wonderful architecture in what would appear to be the 'legal' area surrounding the Court of Justice. 

First Presbyterian Church

First Baptist Church

Superior Court of Justice

Fronted by green space, the Courthouse stands proudly as a reminder of the past - both in its style and in its scope. It was here that I found out that Brockville was once called, Elizabethtown, and that it was renamed after Sir Isaac Brock - a Canadian hero from the War of 1812. 

From the simple, but impressive war memorial, to the delight of the surrounding buildings, and the display of well-kept flowerbeds, the diversion was well worth the extra hour we spent in the town before heading back to Kingston, where we are staying. 

Always open to surprises in our journey through life, we discovered the treasure of another town and were glad that our 'tunnel vision' expanded to embrace it!

................

Here's a short movie about the history of the tunnel (courtesy of YouTube):

If you are interested in the Information Panels along the tunnel, this is an excellent site, with clearer pictures and explanations:     Signs in the Tunnel 

One of the signs in the tunnel

If you are REALLY FASCINATED by this tunnel, check out the short slide show of street signs below and above the tunnel. (You may not be able to see this on a tablet, ipad, or cell phone). 

Here's the link:  https://photopeach.com/album/fdusmi