I recently returned from a visit to Nova Scotia with my two youngest daughters.
We flew on Porter Airlines and we loved it. The plane was small, a Bombardier Dash-8 Q-400 which is a turbo-prop. Everyone associated with the airline was friendly and helpful. They have a neat service called Sky Check. You bring your carry-on bag to the door of the plane, someone takes it from you, gives you an ID stub and returns it to you as you get off the plane. No more endless waiting at the carousel to pick up your bags.
We arrived in Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and went to pick up our rental car from Enterprise, for the drive to Antigonish. The very nice young man offered us a choice of vehicles. We could have a Nissan Sentra, or…
Our weekend ride. A white Mustang convertible!
Yes, we chose the Mustang! We were going back in style!
Monica driving the Mustang.
Carla in the front passenger seat.
Yes, that means I was in the back but the ride was totally enjoyable.
We got to Antigonish after a wonderful seafood mean at The Dock Pub in New Glasgow. We took a ride down Main Street which has changed somewhat from the 1960s. The buildings were basically the same but new modern trendy restaurants and gift shops were scattered among them.
One of the touristy stores on Main Street.
The Made in Nova Scotia Store was a delight to browse in. There was jewellery made with local sea glass as well as a myriad of tartan items. After all, Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland.
The next day we went to a few of the local beaches, where we lolled in the sand. Mahoney’s Beach was one of my old hang-outs.
Toes on the beach.
We then drove along the Sunrise Trail and stopped at Cape George Lighthouse where we were lucky enough to spot whales playing in St. George’s Bay.
Whale watching.
We stopped at Cribbon’s Point which is a beautiful fishing village.
Cribbon’s Point.
We also travelled to Cape Breton Island which is connected to mainland NS by the Canso Causeway. We stopped at a gorgeous sandy beach located in the small town of Port Hood. Later on, we drove to Mabou, CB, where I had spent a year at boarding school. This part of the trip was very emotional for me.
Carla and Monica couldn’t believe how peaceful it was there.
The church at Mabou, Cape Breton.
The convent at Mabou where I lived with 90 girls during my last year of high school.
St. Joseph’s Convent, now a Retreat Centre.
We had a tour of the building where I lived 54 years ago. It was basically the same and I admit I had tears when I thought of the happy times spent there. A lovely nun, Sister Catherine, gave us a tour of the building and I took a photo of the chapel, where I was usually the first one at Mass each morning. I know that being at Mabou with the wonderful sisters there strengthened my faith. That has stayed with me my whole life.
The chapel at Mabou.
I told you Antigonish is a Scottish town, didn’t I? Here is my youngest daughter in our motel, The Claymore.
Monica with her new friend!
We visited The Wheel Restaurant where I hung out during my last two years at St.F.X. University in Antigonish. We had lunch at The Moonlight Restaurant which hasn’t changed one iota since 1965. We stopped at Arisaig Beach to see the unusual geology of that area. We took a long walk around Antigonish Landing, a protected wetlands area. We drove and walked on all the little back streets of the town that helped form me. We visited the Church, St. Ninian’s, and met some old friends there.
Brierly Brook, which runs through the centre of town.
What a trip! What a lot of new memories of Nova Scotia I have to think about on the long winter nights here in Ottawa.
We packed this whole experience into one long weekend!
I hope you enjoyed this trip down Memory Lane. I think we should all do this, at least in our hearts.
Go visit Nova Scotia some day. Its beautiful scenery and its friendly residents will steal your heart.
Have a great day and remember to leave a comment.
Old Girl New Tricks 