A Knitter's Home Companion

A Knitter's Home Companion is a delightful book full of stories of life and knitting.  At the end of a busy day at work, there is nothing more pleasant than dipping into the life of a knitter and reading about her knitting projects.

There are heart-warming stories and recipes to enjoy too.  Knitting is a great way of dealing with all that life throws at us and I love the cosy domesticity of this book, which I highly recommend.

Out And About

We went to Halifax on Friday and had a lovely day out.  We visited the Halifax Public Gardens, which opened in 1867.  The gardens are described as 'An oasis of calm in the heart of Halifax' and this is an apt description.  The gardens were delightful and there was much to see, including a bandstand and ornamental flowerbeds, including a Diamond Jubilee themed bed.

Earlier in the day, we had taken a drive down to Herring Cove, which is in a picturesque setting at the entrance to Halifax Harbour.  Houses and boathouses cluster around the shore and boats are moored along the water.

I had hoped to share the photographs I took throughout the day, but our camera was stolen from my husband's van on Friday night before I had a chance to download them.  I offer you a photograph of  hydrangea flowers from our garden.  They bloom in white initially, then turn this pretty pink.

White Point

Our journey around the Cabot Trail continued around the top of Cape Breton, where we followed a short alternative route to White Point.  Although we had been to the village on a previous occasion, we had never walked out along the track to the Point.

This must be about as far east as it is possible to walk in Canada (except for Newfoundland).

Below us, the waves were breaking on the shore.

We passed what looked like a graveyard, but there were no headstones: just small rocks of granite scattered about.   I later discovered that it is a graveyard for unknown sailors who have washed up on these shores and remained unidentified.  I have no idea how old this is, as I have been unable to find any further information, but there are some photographs here.

Sitting on a rock watching the waves.  It is a beautiful and remote spot with only the wildlife for company.  We had the Point to ourselves.  Staring out to sea, I thought of those waves crossing the mighty Atlantic and landing on British shores, where I shall be in a few weeks...but more of that in another post.

Cape Breton

Yesterday we went for a day out and decided to visit Cape Breton.  It is quite some time since we were there, the last time being early in the spring.  We took the less popular route around the lower part of the western side of the island.

We visited Margaree Harbour and parked adjacent to this amazing seaside garden.  The photograph does not do it justice, but these seedheads attracted my attention ~ they looked like birds' nests.  Dotted amongst the foliage were the last remaining wild roses of the year.

Much of this coastline is rugged outcrops of rocks, but here and there it has been tamed and there are sandy beaches and dunes.

The harbour is well-protected and the fishing boats just seen in this picture ~ the season is over for lobster and crab, so the boats lay idle in the water and some have already been hauled out.

We joined the famous Cabot Trail further north along the shore and this photograph is the view from MacKenzie Mountain looking at the Gulf of the St Lawrence and Pleasant Bay below.