Canadian Maritimes: Nova Scotia (the northern part) (Part 3)

Louisbourg, over on the east side of Cape Breton, was a French settlement/fort/port that was taken over by the English several times in it's early history. Today it is a reconstruction of the good old French days with costumed interpreters abounding.

The original governor's home which now serves as park headquarters and museum. 

 

 This was the only real building Terry and I saw when we were here last in 1977. Things have changed since then!

Suttlers' encampment outside the walls.

Officer's quarters and storage facility.

 Officers who often paid for their commission, could make some extra money on the side by importing goods to be sold. Often to the government.

Children playing to the tune of a tin whistle outside a boarding house.

 The custom of hanging linens from the window not only aired the linens, it informed passers by that there were rooms available.

The main street running parallel to and behind the sea wall to the left.

The main gate into the city from the waterfront.

 The red post in the left front of the photo above was where they would lock up miscreants for some good old public shaming--after leading them down the streets with fife and drum announcing their punishment.

The main street leading up from the waterfront.

 Shops and inns lined this thoroughfare. Those offering food would have a fir branch lashed to the door or sign.

Fife and drums practicing.

Clock on the military barracks.

The Major speaks to the folks prepared to watch a military drill

The Sargent crosses the drill field.

Officer passes orders to the Sargent.

Musicians accompany the arrival of the drill squad.

Flintlocks on shoulders the drill commences under the watchful eye of the corporal.

Having fired their flintlocks (eventually), everyone moves up to the cannons.

Instruction to the cannoneers. (Who paid for the privilege.)

The match is lit.

And BOOM!

And everyone marches off.

Inside the military chapel.

 We strolled around the place for a couple of hours before heading back to the campground.

Canadian Maritimes: Nova Scotia (the northern part) (Part 2)

I'm sure I'm getting my days confused so let's just settle on where we went and forget about the when part. Okay?

We drove over to the little town of Iona which is in one of the central islands in the Bras d'Or to visit the Highlands Heritage Center. (Gotta take the ferry to get there. A cable operated ferry to cover all of 100 yards of water.)

The Heritage Center is a living history museum dedicated to telling the story of the highlanders who came to the area.

This stone hut was what they left behind.

The log cabin is what they built first. This one is in need of repair.

They brought some of the old world cattle with them, too.

As well as sheep and draft animals.

Some roof repair being done on the barn.

Churches sprang up.

As the farmers prospered, their homes became more modern.

School, carding mill, country store, and blacksmith shop.

 The teaching of Gaelic was forbidden both here and in the old world, but it continued in the home. Students who spoke or wrote Gaelic at school were shamed by their teachers and had to wear a wooden plank on a rope around their neck.

Carding machines took some of the hand labor out of the home.

 It was an interesting glimpse into the past. A time trip we would continue as we spent the next day at Louisbourg.

Canadian Maritimes: Nova Scotia (the northern part) (Part 1)

After having a wee bit of trouble locating our campground despite it being on the main highway (Mapquest and Siri let me down!), we settled in and set out to explore.

Driving in Cape Breton is like driving in Quebec. Everything has two signs. The difference is, while Quebec has English and French, the signs on Cape Breton are in English and Gaelic! (The French is easier to read!)

We ended up having a scrumptious seafood dinner in the town of Baddeck and then attending a Gaelic get together known as a Ceilidh.

Means "visit"

Lots of Celtic music by a fiddle player and a pianist.

And a little dance lesson, too. (Basically a square dance.)