Author: svtrance

Monday, July 7, 2025 departed Canso at 8:15am, destination Bras d’Or Lake. At 11:20am we arrived at St. Peter’s Canal lock, which brought us up 1.5ft. After the swing bridge we turned west to St Peter’s Lions Club Marina.

Bras d’Or Lake is an irregular salt water estuary watershed with three passages to the Atlantic Ocean. Located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This brackish lake is an UNESCO-designated Biosphere.

Made another grocery store run, for the few things we were distracted from and forgot to get. Also, the NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation) was right next door… more Jōst Tidal Bay wine and Rum! All took showers and we did laundry at the marina, needed lots of quarters for laundry!

For dinner we prepared grilled pork chops marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Additionally cheesy mashed potatoes and a salad.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 departed the marina 8:45am to West Bay, miles traveled today 21.5. On a mooring ball for the night, at the home of Louis and Robert, OCC Port Officers.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7am we were off the mooring ball, on our way, headed to Baddeck.

8am we passed through the Barra Strait Bridge.

Arrived in Baddeck 12:15pm. Total miles traveled today, 29.

Settled by Loyalist and Scottish Gaels in late 18th, early 19th centuries. Later the area thrived as a service and shipping community supporting mining, trapping, fishing farming and forestry. Baddeck became famous in 1874 from the travel memoir written by Charles Dudley Warner, Baddeck, And That Sort of Thing, catapulting the area as a tourist destination. Baddeck was founded in 1908. It is the beginning and end of the Cabot Trail, a 185 mile scenic highway around the northern Cape Breton Island.

The village was also home to Alexander Graham Bell, and a museum that bears his name, The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. At the museum, one can explore his inventions that helped build the present day world. Today’s economy in Baddeck is supported by tourism, cultural activities and services.

We are on the Baddeck Community Dock for the night. Visited the museum, walked around town, had ice cream and sent John up the mast to replace our courtesy flag halyard.

Dinner at The Freight Shed: Waterside Bistro & Market.

Friday, July 4, 2025 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Departed picturesque Lunenburg at 6:10am in the fog. Dropped anchor at 6:30pm in Southwest Cove in Owl’s Head Bay. Total miles traveled today, 72.4. For dinner I made baked meatballs with tomato sauce and peas topped with puff pastry.

Saturday, July 5, 2025 anchor up at 6:15am. Dropped anchor at 7:30pm in Port Howe. Total miles traveled today, 83.

Dinner tonight Chicken Cacciatore over rice.

Sunday, July 6, 2025 Happy Birthday to Me! Anchor up at 7:30am. Total miles traveled today, 13. Arrived in Canso 10:15am. Canso is an unincorporated community and is the most easterly point of mainland Nova Scotia. Centuries ago the area was a prosperous fishing and ship building town. Today you will find several trawlers, long-liners and boats fishing for tuna, lobster, shrimp and crab.

We are tied to the wall at the government wharf, directly behind The Bluenose ll! The Bluenose ll, came here earlier than scheduled as the winds were intensifying. They saw Force 8 winds (34-40knots or 39-46mph) predicted on the ocean. The wind was 20+knots offshore when we tried to tie up, two crew from the Bluenose ll ran over to help us.

Stopped at the Co-Op Canso for a few groceries, later we had dinner at AJ’s Pub. As sunset the winds were 32knots with gusts to 50!

Thursday, July 3, 2025 anchor up at 6:30am another foggy, chilly morning, destination Lunenburg. Arrived about 12:30pm, on a mooring ball till tomorrow morning. Total miles traveled today, 38. Lunenburg is a fishing and shipbuilding port founded in 1753. This is a historic port town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The towns layout is based on a grid, with original wooden buildings c. 18th century. This is typical of a planned British colonial settlement. In the town you will see several brightly colored painted buildings, many of which are tourist attractions, shops and businesses as well as private homes.

Lunenburg is also home to the Bluenose ll. Built in 1963, it is a replica of the original Bluenose. She is 161ft in length, has a 27ft beam with a draft of 16 ft. Serves as a sailing ambassador promoting Nova Scotia’s tourism and maritime heritage, continuing the legacy of the original schooner. The Bluenose launched March 26, 1921, a two masted sailing fishing schooner, undefeated in international sailing competition for the 17 years she raced. She is a symbol of Nova Scotia’s distinction in fishing and shipbuilding, representing Canada around the world. The Bluenose ll was not in port during our visit, we may cross her pass as we continue northeast. The Bluenose is also depicted on the Canadian dime.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day! Departed the Northwest Arm around 8:30am, waved goodbye to Peter and Wendy. Traveled up Halifax Harbour to Bedford Basin.

Arrived at Bedford Basin Yacht Club at 10:30am, on a mooring ball. Total miles traveled today 12. Later found a laundromat nearby, spent several hours there.

After putting away our clean clothes, we went back to club house. It’s Canada Day. There were fun sailing races, a cookout, boat parade (Dan went along on a club members boat for the parade) and scheduled fireworks that were postponed due to fog.

Dan and I hung out at the bar in the club waiting for our friends John and Joy, they are flying into Halifax tonight. The club closed at 9:30pm, continued waiting on Trance.

My cousins husband Ron, graciously offered to pick them up. Many thanks Ron! Their flight was delayed 4.5 hours due to thunderstorms in Boston. They arrived on Trance at 2:45am.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 10:30, departed Bedford, going to downtown Halifax.

There are several free day docks available. We received a berthing pass for the day. Had a fabulous Lunch at Salt + Ash, walked the waterfront, then up to the Halifax Citadel Historic Site. Canada Strong Pass, offers free admission from June 20 to September 2, 2025 to Canadian National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites.

Left the dock in Halifax around 4pm. Anchoring for the night in Ketch Harbour at 6:15pm. Total miles traveled today, 24. For dinner I made One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl, with optional toppings of grated cheddar cheese and salsa, so good!

Friday, June 27, 2025 Our destination is Hubbards, St Margarets Bay, along with s/v Henry, for the night or 2, the forecast for tomorrow is rain. Total miles traveled today, 27. We both picked up mooring balls in front of the Tuna Blue Inn & Restaurant, made reservations for dinner. The food was great and there was live music too!

Saturday, June 28, 2025 chilly rainy day today. We had dinner aboard s/v Henry. Wendy made a pasta dish incorporating salmon and green vegetables. I baked an apple, blueberry crisp for dessert, it was almost all gone!

Sunday, June 29, 2025 departed Hubbards around 10 am. It’s a chilly, rainy, foggy, wind on the nose, bashing waves kind of morning. Henry is just off our port bow.

We cruised through two anchorages on the eastern shore, they were either too rocky or not enough room for two 45ft sailboats. Crossed the bay then dropped anchor in Southwest Cove. There are several mooring balls in here along with two other sailboats. Very calm, good holding. Henry picked up a mooring ball. Total miles traveled today 14.

Monday, June 30, 2025 departed the peaceful cove at 9:30am. Did a drive by of the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. We were seen on the webcam, my friend Jackie from high school took a screenshot of us.

Anchored in the Northwest Arm of Halifax Harbour at 4pm, near Melville Island. Total miles traveled today 35. Going to Armdale Yacht Club, on the island, for dinner with Peter and Wendy from s/v Henry.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 anchor up at 12:15, destination Young Island. Total miles traveled 4.5. We visited with Peter and Terry, Ocean Cruising Club members. Peter is a “Port Officer.” Officers are a resource to visiting yachts regarding local information. Dan and I walked a bit of the island till the mosquitos were getting to me. Later we had dinner with them at their house.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 9:30am departed Young Island for Chandlers Cove in Chester Harbour, arriving 10:45am, traveling 4.5 miles today. We are anchored just off the Chester Golf Club along with Peter and Wendy on s/v Henry.

The four of us went to dinner in Chester, a picturesque sleepy town, at Fo’c’sle, Nova Scotia’s Oldest Pub dating back to the 1760’s. We had such a great time, great food, and conversation. At 9pm were asked to leave as the restaurant, they had actually closed at 8pm. Night caps aboard Henry.

Thursday, June 26, 2025 after several attempts and a few choice words, Dan finally was able to get the water maker running again! It is now producing the best and most water ever.

Cocktails on our boat tonight, then hamburgers at the Chester Yacht Club.

Friday, June 27, 2025 Peter stopped over at 8am. He and Dan investigated a fresh water leak we have. Several quick-disconnect fittings on our hot water heater were leaking. They were all removed and hoses were attached directly to the heater. So far so good!

Departed the anchorage at 10am. Headed towards Deep Cove, in Mahone Bay, to do a “drive by.”

Then over to St. Margarets Bay again.

Monday, June 23, 2025 departed St Margarets Bay at 8:30am, going back to explore Mahone Bay a bit more. Total miles travelled today 26. Arrived in Mahone Bay Village at 1pm. We dropped anchor at the end of the mooring field, the Mahone Bay Civic Marina office is only open on weekends until July. We could not reserve a mooring for today.

The dinghy dock was short ride from TRANCE. We took our handy wagon in town to pick up a few items the grocery store. While in town, dinner reservations were made at the Mug and Anchor Pub for 6 people. Us, people on the boat in front of us Peter and Wendy from the UK, we invited to join us, plus 2 people who live here, Fred and Mina, Dan had arranged to get together with them. We are all members of the Ocean Cruising Club. Flying your Ocean Cruising Club burgee makes it easy to identify other members.

Up the river beyond the grocery store you will find scenic view of The Three Churches.

When Peter and Wendy arrived at the restaurant they realized along with Fred and Mina they had all previously met each other in the Caribbean, fun reunion!

Saturday, June 21, 2025 total miles traveled today, 24 miles. Arrived at St. Margarets Sailing Club at 2:30pm.

We met club members Sara and Jörg, on outside deck, had a lovely conversation with them. They invited us to join them for dinner, driving a short distance to the nearby Shining Waters Marina restaurant. We all had Chicken Tikka Masala, so good!

Sunday June 22, 2025 a little of my family history, my mother was born 1931, in Truro, Nova Scotia. She had much older siblings and an identical twin sister. The events would have made for a great Oprah story. Fast forward to 1976ish, when my mom was about 45, the twins met for the first time. They remained in contact with each other till the end of their lives. This day I reconnected in person with my cousin Kris, met her husband Ron. They picked us up at the marina and we visited Peggy’s Cove together. We are planning to get together again the end of July.

Peggy’s Cove is a working fishing village, home to residents year round. The original structure was built in 1868, rebuilt in 1915. Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is still active today. Its picturesque profile, makes it the most photographed lighthouse in Canada.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 departed the LaHave Yacht Club around 11:30am.

Dropped anchor in Heckmans Anchorage around 3:30pm, for the night. First time with our shiny new anchor chain! Total distance travelled today 23 miles. Boat projects today. Attempted to get the water maker running, it wouldn’t prime, ugh! Changed a sketchy cotter pin on a main sheet block, calibrated our compass, cleaned diesel fuel filter bowl, added more mechanical advantage to the dingy’s motor block and tackle system. We have a heavier 15hp outboard motor now. There is a newly serviced 9.9hp motor in our garage at home for sale.

It started raining at 6pm, then the fog rolled in.

Thursday, June 19, 2025 Happy Birthday Beth!!🎈Departed anchorage after 12:30ish, 1:40pm arrived at Lunenburg Yacht Club. Total distance traveled today 5 miles. We plan to be here 2 nights. We had takeout from the club, fresh made seafood chowder they were serving for dinner at the Club, this will be our lunch tomorrow. At the LaHave Bakery we purchased frozen Haddock Au Gratin that was thawed, we needed to bake that for our dinner, so good!

Friday, June 20, 2025 sunny and warmer today, high will be around 73F.

Dan installed USB/USB C port unit by the navigating station. Attempted, but failed to determine why our GPS coordinates are not being displayed on our VHF radio. Dinner at the yacht club.

Saturday, June 21, 2025 departed Lunenburg Yacht Club at 10:10am, destination St. Margarets Bay Sailing Club.

Monday, June 15, 2025 total nautical miles traveled today, 50. 6:00pm we pickup a mooring ball, and s/v Celestial is rafted next to us, s/v Whim and s/v Rocky Rhode are rafted together on a mooring ball behind us. We had dinner with Barb and Tom from s/v Celestial on our boat. Barb made delicious dish of white bean, orzo, sausage, shallots and spinach. I made guacamole for appetizer, we also contributed the sausage for the main dish. Barb also made a peach tart for dessert! A bottle of red, a bottle of white, great company! We may meet up with them again at Shelburne in August, and buddy boat back to the US together.

Tuesday, June 16, 2025 departed the mooring ball a little past 9am.

Destination today is LaHave River. First stop is the LaHave Bakery, for lunch. The food is all made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients from Nova Scotia. It’s a bookstore, craft co-op, bakery, general store and restaurant. After lunch we went farther up river to the LaHave Yacht Club for a night on the dock. The members there were super friendly and welcoming! Distance traveled today, 30 miles.

Arrival time at the yacht club was around 3:30pm. met several club members at picnic tables on the dockside of the clubhouse. Shared a drink and of course there is racing tonight, Dan found a boat to crew on.