August 5, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Neighbors.

We met Gary and Joyce ten years ago when we bought the cottage. As we are separated by trees, we can not see when they are in residence. Once, we went to see their cottage when they are adding a small room but normally we both keep to ourselves, although when we speak, they are always pleasant. Gary is the treasurer of our organization so have had dealings with him. At the Lot Owners Meeting, Joyce asked us to come over to see the wedding pictures and to see the completed renovation. I agreed to come over the next day at 4:00, and bring a bottle of wine. It turns out that their daughter was married at the cottage in May and with the firm deadline in mind, they scurried around and completed all their tasks. Now their cottage looks like a real home complete with hard wood floors and two new large decks. And they did most of the work themselves!! These neighbors are salt of the earth people. Both have always been teachers. They have three children, two of which are adopted. Both have elderly parents who live in their own homes, so Gary and Joyce visit both each week, which means their days at the cottage are limited. They live just outside Halifax while one set of parents live in the Annapolis Valley while the other lives in the heart of Halifax. They are 12 years our juniors and have been retired three years but they have not been able to spend as much time at the cottage as they anticipated. Of course, we usually only stay a day at the cottage, so this extended stay worked well to spend time with them. Gary and Joyce are kind, lovely people, living right next door to us at the cottage. Getting to know Gary and Joyce has been a definite asset for us to have stayed at the cottage.