Today, the sun actually started the day! Wasn't too warm, but the forecast promised warmer weather. I hadn't really planned exactly what I wanted to do, but with that gorgeous sun, perfect for photographing this colorful town, breakfast couldn't be finished fast enough. Then, off I went with my camera, and my travelling companion about 15 feet in front of me as usual.
What a gorgeous place this Lunenburg is! Quiet for sure, a sleepy little place first thing in the morning on a mid-May Friday. Crossing the street is no issue, there are no cars around. All the shops are still closed. So we climb the incredibly steep sidewalks from one street to the next until we are back at the bandshell and memorial we saw on our walk the previous evening. The architecture of these older homes on top of the hill is magical, and the care taken to preserve the history of the whole town is evident everywhere.
Each house seems to be a slightly different colour, and some streets look like they were built of candy. It seems to be a theme in seaside and coastal towns, as few homes are bricked, all need to be painted regularly. And the creativity adds to the magic of the place. Many homes have plaques indicating when they were built and for whom, and the oldest known home is over 300 years old. Amazing!
We have heard that the Bluenose II, my favourite ship, built in Lunenburg (as was the original Bluenose) is currently drydocked here. What an opportunity! It's been refurbished on the interior after relaunching last fall, and we have a unique chance to see her, including the full hull. She's just as beautiful in person as I'd always imagined.
At 10, the shops and art galleries start to open up - looks like the Maritimes is coming alive. There are several art galleries, all featuring local or at least provincial artists. And it is all wonderful, beautiful work. One gallery is the work of a single artist that creates masterpieces using fabric and the art of quilting. My mom is a quilter, and I sure hope she was able to catch this place when she was here a few years ago. Another gallery featured four local artists, and one piece catches my eye.
Several months ago, a friend and former colleague showcased an acrylic that she had done of a small bay at sunset in B.C. where she now lives. I was lucky enough to purchase that fine piece. Now, here in Lunenburg, I find an acrylic of a small harbour with sailboats, the same size, and with a matching blue in it to the one Suzanne painted. Now, I can proudly display both pieces on my wall - one from each coast.
After finishing up our purchases, we head into Mahone Bay, where my friend has heard of a fab pub and spectacular scenery. He was definitely given a good tip on this one. As we park and start walking toward the center of town, we hear a gleeful yelp, and see someone running toward us with open arms. Who on earth do we know here? Ah, it's the delightful young family that we met first on Cape Breton on the Skyline Trail, then again on the ferry from Pictou to PEI, now we are lucky enough to meet them again!
This time, we let their sweet little girl sit in her favourite sky blue punch buggy. She looks right at home! How great to have met this trio. I really hope that we are able to meet up again some time. After all, they live not far from us. Fate must have brought us together so often for some reason.
After visiting several unique boutiques of all types, and checking out the scenery, we hit the Mug and Anchor pub. Great fish and chips for Ian, but I'm kinda seafood-ed out, so I choose the Jack Burger, with bourbon bbq sauce, sauteed mushrooms and blue cheese melted on top. Fresh and lean, it's no wonder that magazines have written rave reviews about it.
We learn that this is the one night of the month that this pub has live music, and although we're not sure what to expect of a band called "Dr. Weirdbeard's blues revue" we decide that it should be fun to come back for a pint and maybe some supper. We head back to Lunenburg to freshen up and have a nap, then we catch Dr. Weird beard for a couple of hours. They're a pretty good band, and the place is packed. But we've walked a few miles today, and had lots of fresh, sea air, so us old fogies don't last too long. Tomorrow will be another busy day going up to Peggy's cove.
What a gorgeous place this Lunenburg is! Quiet for sure, a sleepy little place first thing in the morning on a mid-May Friday. Crossing the street is no issue, there are no cars around. All the shops are still closed. So we climb the incredibly steep sidewalks from one street to the next until we are back at the bandshell and memorial we saw on our walk the previous evening. The architecture of these older homes on top of the hill is magical, and the care taken to preserve the history of the whole town is evident everywhere.
Each house seems to be a slightly different colour, and some streets look like they were built of candy. It seems to be a theme in seaside and coastal towns, as few homes are bricked, all need to be painted regularly. And the creativity adds to the magic of the place. Many homes have plaques indicating when they were built and for whom, and the oldest known home is over 300 years old. Amazing!
We have heard that the Bluenose II, my favourite ship, built in Lunenburg (as was the original Bluenose) is currently drydocked here. What an opportunity! It's been refurbished on the interior after relaunching last fall, and we have a unique chance to see her, including the full hull. She's just as beautiful in person as I'd always imagined.
At 10, the shops and art galleries start to open up - looks like the Maritimes is coming alive. There are several art galleries, all featuring local or at least provincial artists. And it is all wonderful, beautiful work. One gallery is the work of a single artist that creates masterpieces using fabric and the art of quilting. My mom is a quilter, and I sure hope she was able to catch this place when she was here a few years ago. Another gallery featured four local artists, and one piece catches my eye.
Several months ago, a friend and former colleague showcased an acrylic that she had done of a small bay at sunset in B.C. where she now lives. I was lucky enough to purchase that fine piece. Now, here in Lunenburg, I find an acrylic of a small harbour with sailboats, the same size, and with a matching blue in it to the one Suzanne painted. Now, I can proudly display both pieces on my wall - one from each coast.
After finishing up our purchases, we head into Mahone Bay, where my friend has heard of a fab pub and spectacular scenery. He was definitely given a good tip on this one. As we park and start walking toward the center of town, we hear a gleeful yelp, and see someone running toward us with open arms. Who on earth do we know here? Ah, it's the delightful young family that we met first on Cape Breton on the Skyline Trail, then again on the ferry from Pictou to PEI, now we are lucky enough to meet them again!
This time, we let their sweet little girl sit in her favourite sky blue punch buggy. She looks right at home! How great to have met this trio. I really hope that we are able to meet up again some time. After all, they live not far from us. Fate must have brought us together so often for some reason.
After visiting several unique boutiques of all types, and checking out the scenery, we hit the Mug and Anchor pub. Great fish and chips for Ian, but I'm kinda seafood-ed out, so I choose the Jack Burger, with bourbon bbq sauce, sauteed mushrooms and blue cheese melted on top. Fresh and lean, it's no wonder that magazines have written rave reviews about it.
We learn that this is the one night of the month that this pub has live music, and although we're not sure what to expect of a band called "Dr. Weirdbeard's blues revue" we decide that it should be fun to come back for a pint and maybe some supper. We head back to Lunenburg to freshen up and have a nap, then we catch Dr. Weird beard for a couple of hours. They're a pretty good band, and the place is packed. But we've walked a few miles today, and had lots of fresh, sea air, so us old fogies don't last too long. Tomorrow will be another busy day going up to Peggy's cove.
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