Arrival in Halifax

Up at 6am and in the lobby to catch the shuttle bus. Some consternation when someone shouted as the driver accelerated out from the hotel – the rear door had swung open and one of the cases had dropped out. Quickly checked in and through security - this time I had my palms swept by a magic wand , I guess to check for traces of something non kosher. A quick Ice Cap and bagel and forty minutes later we were boarding.

The bright red Dodge

Even though we were 30 minutes late in taking off (waiting for a dog's paperwork to accompany him) we arrived on time. Having picked up our lovely bright red Dodge, Rick took to the highway and we headed for Downtown Halifax. He had noticed that, unlike Ontario, drivers weren't turning right on a red light. Was Nova Scotia different to Ontario? He chanced it and a quick text to Ol and a referral to the guide book seemed to indicate we were ok. Maybe we'd just seen cautious drivers!

Citadel

Tom tom got us safely across the $1 dollar MacDonald toll bridge and up to the Citadel Hill National Historic Site. At the end of the Napoleonic wars we Brits decided that the old wooden forts defending our strategic points against the French in North America should be replaced by more permanent and sturdy structures. The present star shaped fortress to defend the deep harbour of Halifax against possible attack from the French stronghold in Louisbourg on Cape Breton was begun in 1828. We arrived at the start of a guided tour. Our guide was dressed in the uniform of a garrison soldier of the period. The fort is run as it would have been at the time with students playing various parts. The enactment included a firearms drill and a cannon was fired.

Marker, Hydrostone district

The views from the walls over the harbour are well worth a visit even if you're not interested in history. It was 5.30pm and check in at our B & B being up to 6.00pm. After a quick break we headed on foot to Hydrostone market and supper at the Little Europe Bistro a great end to our first day in Nova Scotia. This area was completely flattened in the explosion of 1917 and there is a memorial to those who died in the little square in front of the restaurant.

Arrival in Halifax

Halifax, Canada