Sep 9, 2022 | Flotsam
We don’t seem to be having a great deal of luck in the camping department this year. After visiting the eastern shore mid-June we planned a wee break expecting some visitors from away and of course time to tend to our garden.
We did however manage a trip to Quebec for a family visit. Twelve hours of driving each way used to seem like such a trial but for some reason this time it felt easier. Two hours of drive time, a brief break for Zula and us to stretch our legs, a change of driver and all was good.
Road Warrior
We decided to leave REDII behind this time choosing instead a hotel stay. As much as she loves the camper, Zula seemed to feel right at home in our room…
Hotel Princess
F thought she should have tree-climbing lessons at a nearby park. That look on Zula’s face says it all doesn’t it? “Are you kidding me? I’m a cat. Watch me climb! Now try to get me down.”
Climbing Cat
Early August I had booked another few days at Five Islands (our favourite spot last year) but half way there, our tow beast started having issues with losing coolant. Staying on the safe side of road travel we called to cancel and turned around. Once home we found the water pump needed replacing. Last year wasn’t a whole lot better with F breaking ribs and collar bone during a cycling outing. That time we had to cancel our trip to PEI, so this year we are island bound, the longest trip to date for REDII, slightly longer than our trip to Fundy last year. We chose to cross by the Confederation Bridge instead of by ferry.
Confederation Bridge
My dad, Robert Haslam, was born on the island and it always brings back wonderful memories to drive by the family home, even if now it is only a drive-by, no longer owned or occupied by family. Hazeldean is what it was called and it still stands, having been lovingly restored under the Historic Place Protection Act. If you are interested you can read a bit more about its history here: Hazeldean.
Hazeldean
Our camp site at Twin Shores was perfect. Large and private and most importantly, level.
WS-739
We had a view of the beach from our dining table and at night we were treated to a symphony of waves splashing the shore.
The View
In spite of this being a busy week for campers and the last long weekend of the summer, and a very hot one at that, the beach wasn’t at all crowded.
Twin Shores Beach
Every night we enjoyed a camp fire and were treated to spectacular sunsets.
Evening View
Venturing out to poke around the country side offered so many beautiful pastoral scenes.
Garden of the Gulf
…and along the coast, dotted with fishing villages.
Oyster Boats
You can’t come to PEI without enjoying it’s bounty of seafood, especially world famous Malpeque oysters.
Seafood Feast
Our final day we stopped by a nearby pub to enjoy yet another feed of oysters, delicious seafood chowder and some local brew.
Sampling Local
While we were away, our little village of Hubbards hosted the World Sailing Championship of the 49er, 49er FX and the Nacra 17 class. Over 400 entrants from all over the world filled St. Margarets Bay with colour and activity. Our very own Bluenose II even made a cameo appearance.
©️Sailing Energy
It was a very busy month for us but we are now back to home base, rebalancing our lives and getting ready for whatever fall may bring. We hope to have at least one more outing before packing up for the winter months…something more local no doubt. Maybe a place on a quiet lake to try out my new paddle board…which sadly hasn’t been out of it’s bag yet this year.
Thanks for stopping by to catch up. The crew of REDII will return when time allows.
….peace and love…
Jul 21, 2022 | Flotsam
Good day to all of you followers of Sailing RED, and more recently RED by the Sea. It seems our days are far too full and time is passing too quickly. We’ve now passed the summer solstice and here we are at the beginning of camping season.
Our very first of the year camp outing was to the eastern shore of Nova Scotia for a few days at Murphy’s Camping by the Ocean.
Departure
Zula, our road warrior, supervised while we coupled the car to the camper and seemed eager to be included in the upcoming adventure.
The Good Life
We find camping very relaxing and she has adapted quite well to the life style in REDII.
Murphy’s Legacy
While at Murphy’s we took a ride on Murphy’s Legacy to explore the Hundred Wild Islands, an archipelago of over 100 islands stretching 30 km along the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia and are protected through the Nature Trust of Nova Scotia.
Wild Islands
One of the larger of the Wild Islands has a hunting camp that’s been used by the Murphys for several generations.
Hunting Camp
The trip included a chance to anchor and fish for supper. None of us caught anything large enough so it was ‘catch and release’ this time.
Supper?
Clam Harbour Beach is one of Nova Scotia’s best with a seemingly endless expanse of white sand.
Clam Harbour Beach
Zula made friends with some of the visitors…those that smelled right that is.
Making Friends
Other encounters didn’t go so well. She took issue with a very friendly Australian Koolie, at least four times her size. I guess he didn’t smell right.
Not Friends
Walking with Papa
She is learning to walk well with her vest and leash but she is after all a cat so it doesn’t always go smoothly. Every scent, blade of grass or bug has to be investigated making the hike a little slower than we’d like.
Exploring
We gave her a chance to explore our camp site.
Homeward Bound
After several days of perfect weather it was time again to supervise hook up. Time to return home to prepare for visitors from away and plan for our next adventure.
Thanks for stopping by to catch up.
….peace and love…
