Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia...

We had Gale force winds blowing on our way into Sydney, but I was able to hang on and get my sail-in photos. Good thing I have good sea legs…  When we arrived in Sydney, we were met by our Cape Breton friends Laura, Bobby and Donna. Off we went to Baddeck, with Laura, to see some of the Cape Breton Island sites. Baddeck is a picturesque, vibrant little village right in the heart of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island.  It sets on the shore of the great inland body of water known as the Bras d’Or Lakes. Baddeck is widely known as ‘the beginning and end’ of the famous Cabot Trail, a scenic drive along some of the most stunningly beautiful Atlantic coastline. Walking around town the flowers were blooming everywhere. We walked along the Baddeck board walk to see the Kidston Lighthouse just offshore from Baddeck on Kidston Island. Further along on the board walk we came upon the bronze statue of Alexander Graham Bell and his wife Mabel. Bell first came to Baddeck in 1885 from Washington DC. He regularly spent a substantial part of the year at his estate known as Beinn Bhreagh and both Bell and his wife are buried there. We toured the town and did some shopping before starting our return to the ship. We made a quick stop at the Englishtown Ferry that runs across St. Ann’s Bay.  This crossing is a two-minute ferry ride to shorten the drive to the Cabot Trail. Making our way back to Sydney, we stopped for lunch at Jane’s Restaurant in Sydney Mines for fish and chips. Back at the ship we bid farewell to our friends and Nova Scotia. By all accounts we were graced with excellent weather conditions in Nova Scotia. Now off for my first visit to Prince Edward Island….  Looking forward to another fabulous day!