July 15, 2010. St. John, N.B. Homeport.

Many folks have told me that St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, has a city without charm but they are wrong. At least one thing here is beautiful, and that is 'Homeport', an historic bed and breakfast. I had read that St. John is the oldest city in Canada and I always wanted to stop and visit, but for some reason or another we have always driven right past the city, waved goodbye and promised we would return. Now we are here and pleased to be here. We are staying in a home built in 1846. Two identical homes were built by brothers who were also ship builders. To go to work they just had to walk down the hill to the shipbuilding docks. Our hosts bought one of the two homes in 1998 when it was a wreck. Karen and Gary restored the old house and opened it as a small bed and breakfast. Four years later the adjacent home became available, separated only by 35 feet of grass.

Being brave, they bought it, restored it, and then connected the two homes with a lovely dining room and bar. Now they have ten rooms for rent out, of various sizes and shapes, and together they look after the place. Fortunately Gary is handy because these old homes are always in need or repair. The place is beautifully furnished, all furniture acquired at estate sales. Our suite over-looks the harbor so we are watching the fog pour in as we speak. Normally Ken does not like to stay at a Bed and Breakfast. At breakfast he really does not like to talk. But we drove past the place and here we are, in this gorgeous old home over-looking St. John harbor. I am loving the furniture and the location and the St. John books of pictures left in the suite. Clearly, this old city is worth a look.