I’m in Ship Harbour visiting with my old friend David and his wife Laura. They have a cottage property here with a mooring. Easy trip yesterday in calm conditions. We had a fun day exploring the local inlets, islands and beaches today.
Tomorrow evening another friend is joining me here for a couple of days to head for Halifax.
These pics are from the trip here Saturday. I sort of fried my phone this morning so no more pics for a few days. Today was beautiful weather and scenery.
That was a fun day. Came out of St Peter’s then west of Ile Madam. From Canso around to Whitehead I stayed inside islands as much as possible, then went up to the head of the bay at Whitehead.
I’m now anchored here after a straight run up the coast from Whitehead into rain and SW winds. Nice sheltered spot, and it’s cleared up since I stopped. Good weather forecast for the next couple of days.
I had a nice dinner in Baddeck last night, and this morning fueled up and picked up a few things at the grocery store. This afternoon I left Baddeck and after coming through Iona went up the East Bay to Ben Eoin before turning around. Weather was unsettled with occasional rain.
I’m now anchored here for the night. Very quiet and well protected. Tomorrow I’ll go through St Peter’s back to the ocean.
This was at the Bird Islands that I passed just north of Cape Dauphin. The first one I came to had hundreds of seals and the second one birds nesting in the cliffs. Lots of Puffins.
I just got in to Baddeck. Smooth sailing today. Highlight was the bird islands, but that gets its own post.
Think I’ll hunker down here for a bit.
Pics from today’s trip from Mabou to Dingwall, in chronological order
I’m anchored here in Dingwall. Left Mabou at 0630 and got in here at 2100. It’s a delightful little harbour, very quiet right now.
I have 132 (!) pictures from today. Rather than pick highlights I’ll get them all here once I’m in more solid internet land.
Wow. The coast is more dramatic and varied than I was expecting. Well worth the trip. I stopped in Chedicamp for lunch, and from there north every little cape brought another delight.
I’m not going to Newfoundland. Lots to see and do in NS for the next couple of months. Tomorrow I’ll head 45 miles down the eastern side of the cape to the northern entrance to the Bras D’Or Lakes. Maybe Baddeck tomorrow night.
Today was a perfect day for traveling the coast. Warm for this area – I’ve been in shorts and a tee shirt for the last 48 hours – and calm. More of the same for the next day or two, though fog seems likely tonight.
I saw a couple of pilot whales near Cape St Lawrence, and lots of birds. Mostly though I was looking at the shore. There is such a sense of permanence here, just eons of sea and rock.
I’m anchored here in a lovely cove in Mabou. Wow. I could happily be storm stayed here. One house on the point and a small boating club, otherwise empty. There is an excellent pub and bakery 2 km away by road or dinghy.
The geography is quite striking. I didn’t get the full treatment coming in as a couple of heavy showers were hanging around. Hope it’s clear in the morning.
When I came in I tried to get closer to the pub, and almost anchored close to route 9, but then bumped bottom a couple of times and thought better of that. It’s mid tide rising, but a pretty small range here.
I straight lined it leaving Pictou, so was a few miles off the north shore coming out. Met land again at Henry Island and followed the shore in to Mabou.
There is no significant wind forecast between now and Thursday anywhere in the area. Probably some thunderstorms, but the ones I encountered today were non threatening. So I’m feeling good about traveling around the top of Cape Breton. I guess I’ll be following the Cabot Trail. Cool.
I’ve also been realizing that Newfoundland is really close. I could be in Port aux Basques easily in two days. Noodling on that.
I could also use some company. Looks like some really spectacular country, and it seems a shame to do it alone.
I’ve got plenty of room for guests and will always trade good food or good music for passage. If you’re reading this and want to come on a boating adventure on short notice reach out.
Pics from today in order. You may notice more lighthouse shots in the future. They’re for philosophy aunt Anita.
I got groceries this morning with Don’s help. He also gave me an old folding grocery cart, which has been on my wish list.
Weather is very settled, and I’m heading north. Expect to be in Mabou this evening.
Today I had a delightful visit with my aunt Diane, her son Troy, and his wife Jeanette. Diane and her husband Don live a few hundred meters from where I anchored, and Troy and Jeanette drove up to meet us from their home in Middle Stewiacke.
We went for a little cruise down to the mouth of the river. Decent day for sitting up top.
Pics and videos from the guests.
Boating Adventures 