Cape Breton Miner's Museum

So it was another rainy day and Don's birthday, what to do? We decided to go to the Cape Breton Miners Museum near Sydney and we were so glad we did. coal mining was the main industry here from the 1800s to 1991. It stopped due to the expense of drilling under the ocean and due to numerous accidents and deaths. the museum is a small mine which is coordinated by retired miners. Our tour guide worked in the mines for 35 years. It was an hour tour showing a replica of the mine set up of the way it used to be in the 1800s, when many died from coal dust, gases and explosions.

It was so hard to hear the stories and actually feel the conditions: it was dark,damp, dirty and narrow. The ceilings went from about 5 feet + to 4.3 feet. both of us came out with hurting backs and knees from crouching most of the time. I can't believe in Africa and other 3rd world countries they still have those conditions, still with child labor...just like here. glacé Bay really was a Company Town...no money was given as pay but "checks" towards rent, groceries and other supplies all owned by the company town... hey never got ahead, but really " owed their souls to the Company Town".

 

 

 

 

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ceilidhs

We love the traditional Cape Breton fiddling music. Went to a Ceilidh the other day and heard some great fiddling. then the next we went to the Gaelic College near by to learn its history and forms and were treated to another concert over fish and chips. Just thinking this would be a great OLLI program....

Needed to get the car fixed so had to drive to Pictou area. his is a picture of nearby Ballanyne Cove:

a couple photos near St. Ann's where the college is:

 

 

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Louisbourg

Louisbourg was such a fascinating place. People dressed up in period costumes and you really got to feel what is what like there in the 18th century.. We enjoyed it with our friend Ski who was visiting for a few days.

I especially enjoy my Sundays after what often are very hectic Friday and Saturday nights in the campground. Sophie and I really enjoy quiet afterwards swimming and looking out on the lake.

 

 

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A fun few days

Corinna and Lin VanderVeer visited for a few days and we had so much fun exploring the area. the first morning there were gale like winds and lots of rain so we ventured out to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. I had no idea he was such a champion of the deaf. such a wide variety of inventions. Then off for Don's quest for the best seafood chowder..good one at the Bell Buoy Restaurant.The next day we did the Cabot Trail in reverse from what we had already done. It was so much better, especially since Lin drove and the weather was perfect.

Pleasant Bay

 

Yesterday we hiked the Skyline Trail which was spectacular ( the hike was between 2 pastry runs led by Don of course) and we ended with a lobster dinner...nothing better than that AND we even bumped into a moose on the trail!

end of Skyline Trail

View of road and ocean from the trail

 

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and the sun still shines!

What a wonderful stretch of perfect weather. Off to work now after a great bike ride along the beautiful shores of Bras Dor Lakes! Must remember to take the camera next time.

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Now Settling In

Schedule done, 16 hours a week, sun has been out... Have enjoyed the view on our adirondack chairs and even swam in the pool. Delightful people and I think I will be able to handle the work. Life is good!

Views from the campground:

 

 

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Getting organized??

It's Saturday am and we decided it is finally time to get organized even though the site we are in is apparently temporary and we still don't have a schedule. Not even sure if we are working today! we do know we are on for tomorrow as it is there annual antique car show that we will be helping with somehow...Different to work in a place so loose.

Yesterday we did the Cabot Trail, a 300 km loop around the top of Cape Breton. It took us 7.5 hours with lots of stops. Now we have a sense of where to return to for some great looking hikes. So once again we had to sample some of the local foods including butter pies, blueberry scones, and chocolate croissants and just baked bread. we brought home a meat pie for dinner from the Acadian section in Cheticamp. Lots of art studios along the way.

Along Cabot Trail:

 

 

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