August 11, 2009. Western Head, N.S. Excursions.

Our task today was to purchase marine paint to touch up Fisherman Joe. Mal has accepted the project of re-painting the wooden sculpture in our yard, which means we must buy paint. In addition, we wanted to visit the glass store in Chester. Pat and Mal had never been to the store, and we hadn't been there for four years, so our plan was to drive on the highway straight to Chester, wander around there, then take back roads to Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, using the ferry to get home. Mal drove. We left home at 9:30a.m. and arrived home at 6:30p.m. so we had a long, full day with lots of fun.

Chester was charming but expensive and full of people. Tomorrow begins three days of sailboat racing in Chester, so the town was buzzing with people. License plates from everywhere in Canada and the USA. Even the glass store has raised their prices too high for me, so even though we went into many galleries, we bought nothing but lunch. The only marine store in Chester was closed today, probably because they are all involved in organizing the races.

Next we drove to Mahone Bay, which we expected to find no marine store at all, as Mahone Bay is not really a working town. It has lots of stores and restaurants and galleries but not much in the way of workmen. We knew where the yacht store was in Lunenburg, so we headed right there and purchased the paint we needed. Our favorite galleries are in Lunenburg so we toured four of the best but did not buy a thing. The artists tell us that things are a bit slow this year. Certainly we are not buying. I did note that the prices at the Purcell Gallery have been raised, probably because Joseph Purcell is 83 and although he still paints every day, his years for painting must be few. Again, we bought nothing.

On the Ferry ride we saw five loons, quite close to us. Those birds are so big. Port Medway was our last stop on our excursion. The first thing we did was buy ice cream at the general store. For two dollars you get a big dish of ice cream, and can choose from fifteen types of ice cream. While we ate, we walked all around the harbor to inspect the boats and enjoy the new park and light house. Directly home after ice cream, driving the shore road, was the instruction to the driver. Mal was happy to accommodate us.