Music has become an added bonus to our travel and today was no exception. We started the day at the Fiddle by the Sea B & B. Along with the delicious frittata, homemade bread and preserves, our host also served up a history lesson on the Port Hood area, complete with pictures from his laptop and followed that by playing a couple of tunes on his fiddle.
With our stomachs full, and a song in our heart we set off on the Ceilidh Trail. This is the part of Hwy 19 that takes you from through Cape Breton before you connect with the Cabot Trail. With a quick stop at the Mother of Sorrows Pioneer Shrine & Gift shop (made a donation, lit a candle, said a prayer - never hurts), it was on to a spirit of a different variety, the Glenora Inn & Distillery. We wondered why a distillery would be in this part of the country. Apparently, it's the water. No time for the tour of the distillery, just the gift shop, where Ed picked up another CD. Buddy McMaster was a Canadian fiddler known internationally and is from this area. This would be the perfect backdrop to take us aroud the Cabot Trail.
We had been told that the Westside Cafe and Bakery was a good place to pick up a sandwich for the trail so that was our next stop. It wasn't too busy and thought we would be on the road in no time. However the gal forgot to put our order in, so we ended up waiting an extra 20 minutes for our sandwiches. The waitress was very apologetic and gave us two extra muffins for our inconvenience.
What I have noticed on our travels so far is that the customer service and the friendliness of the is exceptional.
Back in the car with Buddy and onto the Cabot Trail mode. But then we see another interesting place to stop, Cheticamp. Cheticamp is a fishing village on the Cabot Trail. There is almost 4000 residents, one of the largest towns we have seen so far and a large majority are Acadians. The French in Cape Breton have a very interesting history, which we learned this morning at breakfast. In 1758, thousands of Acadians were deported, known as the Great Upheaval, by the British as part of their military campaign against New France.
20 minutes later, and we are back on the road. Perfect weather again for travel and the scenery along the coast is beautiful.
Upon entering Cape Breton Highlands National Park we decide to pull into the Visitor Information centre to eat our lunch. We no sooner sit down, when out of the Visitor Centre comes Pat, my friend Victoria, who is doing a road trip across Canada and through the States. What are the chances that we would end up at the same spot, same time. Had we not been delayed by a lost order, or taken time at Cheticamp, our paths would not have crossed. What were the chances of our meeting 37 years ago at the Y for post natal exercise classes? As Lucy Maud Montgomery said, "It's a small big world."
The Cabot Trail is a scenic highway with outstanding ocean views. And on a clear day, the blue sky and blue ocean are spectacular.
We arrived in Baddek in time for dinner - Wong's Chinese Restaurant. Not your typical Cape Breton fare, but fresh seafood, reasonably priced and great service.
The highlight of day was attending a Ceilidh at St Martin's Hall. We really enjoyed listeing to the fiddler, piper and piano player playing tradional songs from this region.
We got back to our lodgings and discovered that directly across the street from our room is the local community hall. And tonight, there is a wedding and there is music.
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