8 Sep 15
We were up early for a run to the grocery store and the map store to stock up on charts for the rest of Nova Scotia. Back to the boat to move over to the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron (the “Squadron”), we were just about to pull out from the dock when our way was blocked by a couple of tugs who had arrived to tow the HMCS “Sackville” to another pier for a few days. After a 20 minute delay, we were off and were tied up at the Squadron just after noon. Rolf and Lissa arrived just as we were docking. We joined them for lunch at the Squadron Wardroom, then hit the tourist trail in Halifax, spending the afternoon at the Citadel. We came back to the boat for happy hour and had dinner aboard.
44-37.315’N, 063-34.863’W
9 Sep 15
After a leisurely breakfast, we hit the tourist trail in Halifax, visiting the crystal factory, having lunch at the Bluenose Restaurant, and spending the afternoon at the Maritime Museum. Happy Hour at The Old Triangle, followed by dinner at “da Marizio”, followed by a return to The Old Triangle to listen to the band. Back to the boat about 23:00.
10 Sep 15
It was foggy when we woke up, but after breakfast, we hopped in the car and headed for Chebucto Head. Visibility was less than 0.5 miles when we got there, but we hiked out to the lighthouse anyway. Then, back in the car for the drive through Mahone Bay to Lunenburg, where we had a late lunch at The Dockside. The fog had lifted by the time we made it to Lunenburg, so we were able to enjoy that picturesque town. We drove back to Halifax, via Second Peninsula, arriving back at the boat in time for a late happy hour and dinner at the Wardroom.
11 Sep 15
The front came through during the night and we had several heavy rains. It was foggy in the morning, but Rolf and Lissa departed early, I rented a car and re-filled the propane bottle, the Admiral did the laundry and I went to the airport to pick up John and Laurie. We had lunch at the Squadron Wardroom, then went for a tour around town, including a visit to the Citadel and a bit of grocery shopping. Happy Hour and dinner back on the boat, after which we exchanged gifts and sampled a bit too much of John’s bottle of “planning fluid” (i.e., Glen Breton - single malt from Glenora, Cape Breton Island).
12 Sep 15
The front came through in the night and we had intermittent rain. John and Laurie slept in late to recover from their overnighter from Vancouver yesterday. After a late breakfast, we drove into Halifax and visited the Farmers Market. The Admirals stocked up on cutting boards and fresh veggies while John and I checked out the local Garrisons Brewing Company. Afterward, at the Immigrants Museum, John found a copy of the exit papers from when he and his parents immigrated from England to Canada in 1957. We walked around the boardwalk for a while and then had an early dinner at Da Maurizio. Afterward, we drove over to have a quick look at Bedford Basin, then went back to listen to the band (“Rowdy Dow”) at The Old Triangle. Ben and Simon from “Meltemi” came in about 22:30 (we had seen their boat, still sans mast, down at the Waterfront Marina). We stayed until the closing and danced and sang and generally had a good time. Back on board at 02:00 for a well-earned sleep.