Sept. 11th and 12th

On from Linwood, we make our way over the Canso Causeway into Cape Breton. The day is overcast and not much to see along the waterfront. We stop in St. Peter's at the MacIsaac Kilt Makers shop so I can have a look at their wares. When I got to the shop, it was closed, but the owner just happened to be in yard doing some work. He let me inside to have a look around. In conversation with him, he told me they make about 300 kilts a year, and only the 16 oz kilts as others won't hold their shape. Their kilts are sent all over the world, and they have 3 full time kiltmakers. I left the store with a new belt for my kilt. A long overdue necessity.

On our way east, we stop in Big Pond so that Tammie can pop into the Rita MacNeil teahouse. Indy has just fallen asleep so Tammie's on her own. She comes out with her very own box of Rita's tea. Hopefully Rita doesn't miss it before we are out of the area..

Once again, the rain starts and the temperature continues to drop. We make it to Keith and Lorraine Paddick's cottage which is just along the waterfront about half an hour south of Sydney. The location is beautiful, if only there was sun!! They are friends we met in Arizona when visiting Judy and Bill a few years ago.

They have a little Chihuahua named Roo that Indy has taken an instant liking to, and Roo to her. We spend the night visiting and Indy entertaining us, all the while hoping for a bit of a break in the weather.

The next day we get a chance to meet Lorraine's extended family that live in the area. Her mom, dad, brother and sister-in-law are very welcoming to us and to meet our little bundle of energy. It's another cold and rain day, but we decide to make a trip into Louisbourg. Louisbourg is the largest reconstructed 18th century French fortified town in all of North America. However, due to inclement weather, we opt not to head in for a visit, but make our way over to the lighthouse. There have been a few lighthouses utilized on this spot over the centuries, the current being a wooden one built in early 1920s, but the foundations of the previous houses are still present.

Back to Keith and Lorraine's to enjoy an evening of jazz. And Indy's first meal of banana!