Out and About Nova Scotia – Travel writing and photography in Nova Scotia, Canada by Denise Davies.
This blog is for you whether you are an armchair traveler, planning a trip to this beautiful corner of the world, coming back home after many years away, or continuing to discover the many facets of life in Nova Scotia. Leave your comments on your favorite spots. Browse the pages and posts and SUBSCRIBE to receive updates.
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove is a picturesque fishing village with a lighthouse that is one of the most photographed sites in Canada.
The village of Peggy’s Cove was originally settled in the 1700s as a fishing community. Settlers also had cattle and did some farming in the small areas not covered with granite rocks. The setting is beautiful but you can imagine the difficult life during the storms and winter. This tiny community (2009 population: approx. 46) is a working fishing village and home of artists and artisans.
The weather is changeable – as anywhere in Nova Scotia. Our visit was on a sunny spring day with a calm ocean. However fog and storms are common and do be careful as you explore the granite rocks that you pay attention to the waves. Bring layers and windbreakers. During heavy seas and storms the waves crash up over the rocks.
The red and white lighthouse was built in 1915 and set out on a rocky point with views of St. Margaret’s Bay. The entire area has large rounded granite slabs and it is fun to clamber over the rocks for spectacular ocean views and views of the village weather and safety permitting.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Sou’Wester restaurant and gift shop which has a delicious selection of local seafood, salads, soups, burgers and local deserts such as Blueberry Grunt. The restaurant is open year round. The gift shop is a great place to browse for interesting art from local artists, photographs, clothing and gifts.
The Visitor Information Center is open from May to October. Over 750,000 tourists visit Peggy’s Cove in a year – most during the tourist season.
A walk through the village is picturesque. Homes of the fishermen, small arts and gift shops and the wharf are all set off by the ocean and the granite rocks of the area. Be sure to see the 30M granite wall carving by William E. deGarthe depicting the fishermen and their families of Peggy’s Cove. The deGarthe gallery is open during the May to October season.
The drive from the Halifax Armdale Rotary is 45 KM and passes lakes and coves along the way. The road is winding and give yourself time to enjoy it. You can return on a circle route passing the memorial for Swissair Flight 111 and then either continue on to Chester and Lunenberg or loop back to Halifax.
Spring Thaw Port Hawkesbury Strait of Canso
Ahhh spring. This year we had a March treat of 3 days in the mid 20s (centigrade). The snow disappeared and you can see through the ice on the lakes and patches of clear water on areas that had been iced over. Kids were out in their shorts and the teens were out sunning themselves and soaking up the rays. What a treat to have the summer-like weather even though we knew it wouldn’t last.
The robins have arrived and some hardy plants have started raising their heads – hope they don’t get fooled and frozen at the early stage.
Robin Sign of Spring
Of course 2 days later the temperature is -4 Degrees C. Quite a feat to know what to wear but layers are the answer.
Looking forward to enjoying the buds coming out on the trees, the crocuses and spring flowers arriving — and yes the odd snow flurries and blustery days thrown in there. This IS Nova Scotia after all where the weather is a great topic of conversation and can change from one minute to the next.
Click the arrows to view the slideshow. Click caption to see the caption.
Denise Davies is a photographer and travel writing living in Antigonish.
Autumn Photos
Denise on Art Walk Antigonish
Angela on Art Walk Antigonish Denise on Spring in Nova Scotia
Stan on Spring in Nova Scotia
Mary Elliott on Country Harbour
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