East Coast to West Coast

Day 6 – Fisherman's Cove to Digby

Breakfast Report: Basic continental in B&B, watching the weather channel, amplified by the innkeeper’s weather tales of the year.

We looped into Halifax early in the day – didn’t stop – but pretty residential areas, frame houses of every hue, adjacent to downtown and a very busy port. South thru gentle hills to Mahone Bay where we lucked into a little organic farmer’s market. French Bread, almond patisserie, smoked salmon, tomatoes and cucumber. And that was lunch on the boot of the car.

Lunenberg a UNESCO protected town is very pretty – if a little done up. Too many gift and craft shops. But the architecture of the early 1800’s is very particular and winsome. The English were trying to populate the area and invited protestant Germans, Swiss, French and Scandinavians. And I think the style is a sort of blend of these cultural influences.

In general, the ethnic origins of Nova Scotia residents seem to be illustrated by the prevailing church denominations and they vary throughout the island. From a preponderance of Presbyterian churches on Cape Breton Island to Baptist churches along the south shore. I think I’ve seen one Methodist church. Many Anglican churches everywhere, and Catholic churches in the French areas. Jehovah’s Witness congregations surprisingly widespread.

CBC has some interesting programming – and it really does give you a feel for the issues of the country. Continuing with the I-Pod - with the “real” story of Columbus and his explorations – not very pretty in total. He did have good navigational skills – but terrible colony management abilities – and his morals were questionable – as was his delusionary view of the world.

Digby is known for their scallops, available all year – sea scallops . What restaurant to sample them in?….the one in the fish market on the wharf, the locals favorite, an upscale traditional (AAA rec…heavens, not) or the new trendy café – whose menu sounded like they could maybe cook. We went to the locals favorite – wrong choice – I had corn as a vegetable. The scallops were the same as what I can buy on the Cape, but I don’t overcook them. No photos…end of story.

But we are in a great room, downtown – dockside (0ver a restaurant, quiet this time of year) with balcony and watched the fishing boats come in and the tide go out. This is the Bay of Fundy with tremendous tides –tho nothing like those farther up the bay where the channel narrows. Digby gets plenty of tourists, but still seems like a real working town. Pirates operated off this coast in the 1700’s , and did very well for themselves.

Canadians: I don't think they watch much TV other than the weather channel. Very kind and helpful - a car pulled up next to us as we were reading a map and wanted to help

Lunenberg

Digby