Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

A visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg — the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America — is a series of experiences that set a mood. Ramparts, streets, households and interpreters help to create the look, texture and mood of another century. Cannons on stone ramparts, a busy waterfront tavern and the crackling of a kitchen fire all tell how people of a different age lived and worked. Here we see an iron Fleur de Lis on top of an 18th century period house at the Reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg.

A look at the Old Town, the harbour with the Port of Entry to the town - all reconstructed to exact (as much as possible) replication of the original.

Here is a look at the Kings Bastion and the Chapel. Of course, here is where the governor and other important dignitaries were housed.

A picture perfect look at one of Canada's first Lighthouses across the harbour from the Fort.

A lovely example of a Goblin type tapestry hanging in one of the interior rooms in the governor's quarters. The colour was still amazingly vivid.

Green pastures around the town for the animals to feed. This sheep was SO friendly and extremely cute.

Most of the buildings were made of this wonderful stone. Looks just like the beach rocks we saw on Kennington Cove Beach, just outside the town of Louisbourg.

Main à Dieu (Hand Of God) Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Main-a-Dieu is a picturesque fishing village situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island, in Nova Scotia. Translated from the French meaning "Hand of God", there is also a belief that the name may have evolved from the Mi'kmaq (First Nation Peoples) "Mendoo" or "Mundoo" referring to the spirit of evil, possibly referring to the number of shipwrecks in the early years.

Fishermen arrived here shortly after the founding of Louisbourg, and later settlers were of Irish, Scottish and English descent. A Roman Catholic Church was begun in 1817, and took a number of years to complete. Schooling existed as early as 1846. Fishing continues to be the main industry, however this suffered a decline in the early 1980's.

Another beach to explore; and as you can plainly see there is no one to be seen. The coast is rugged and the beach looks as inviting as the many others we have explored. I wonder just how far we can walk on this beach. Sunshine, ocean breezes, and good company is what it is all about these days.

Beach Beach Beach!!!

As the fog burns off and the morning welcomes the day, the amazing ocean breezes invite you to take another walk on the beach. Let's go!

See, it's really really worth it! A lovely walk along the rugged ocean's edge. The smell of the fresh clean ocean air fills our lungs and gives us a great start to our day. Have a good one!

Cape Breton Beach Adventures Continue....

Another amazingly wonderful beach with big waves and lots of good sand. This  is in another little town close by called Louisbourg, Cape Breton , Nova Scotia.

This is the same beach shot in the opposite direction. It holds fond memories for me as I played here as a small child. We would body surf on the waves in the glacial waters and we would build gigantic sand castles in the 'good' sand.

The coastline here is very rugged and the waves can be quite strong with a rather surprising undertow. Being here is so good!

Good night all. Here is the sky from last night. It was spectacular. A sign of the heat we all felt all day long today. Lazy hazy days of summer. Love it!

Another Beautiful Day in The Village of Gabarus

The sometimes huge sprinkles of color all along the roadsides from the naturalized lupines are quite something to witness; a sea of color. Sadly, however the lupines are almost finished for this year.

The wild roses along the sides of the road here are spectacular. The smell is intoxicating. It seems that these rose bushes are everywhere here in this small village.

Here is a beach at the end of the road in the village. There is a boardwalk or breakwater that prevents (mostly) the high stormy tides from coming into the village. I went for walk here this morning with Sophie. We were alone on the beach as is often the case here and on many of the other beaches in the area.

Beauty.... Even in The Fog

Gabarus, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Doesn't this look like a painting? We are here visiting my family. It is an exquisite little fishing village on the south east coast of Cape Breton Island, part of Nova Scotia. Indeed, even in the fog this place is enchanted, peaceful and a lovely place to escape from the rat race for awhile.