August 31, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Well Water.

We ran the well dry this morning, showering and laundering sheets and towels. With 6 people living in the main house and 2 in the Guest House, we are using lots of water. Ken also added water to the pond, so when Irene attempted to get a glass of water for David, the taps were dry. We were in the midst of the changing of the guard with Dave and Irene leaving for Hamilton this afternoon. Sheldon and Ruth arrived yesterday afternoon so we were a family of 8, but only for a short time. We got lucky today. Don and Doreen and Sheldon and Ruth went to see White Point Resort this morning so knew nothing about the lack of water. Ken's first thought was to clean the filter which he did and immediately the water began flowing. By then, Dave and Irene had left for the airport so the water was in perfect order by the time the guests returned. Sheets and towels were clean and dry and the water was flowing. Life was good at Western Head. Our well is old and is a dug well. It is so dependable that we forget that we are using water from a very old dug well. I know better but today was a good warning to us. We must space out our laundry loads. And to clean the filter more often!!

August 30, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Don and Doreen.

We have been friends with Don and Doreen for over 60 years. As couples, I believe they are our oldest friends. The four of us were friends before we married and have been fast friends all through the years, even though we moved from Toronto in 1964. But we have always kept in touch. Now that we are all retired, we are able to get together more often. Amazingly, we still enjoy each other's company. One aspect of being with old friends is the shared memories and the shared people. When David was 2 and not yet a swimmer, we visited Don and Doreen at their Toronto home. They had a swimming pool in the back yard. We were all standing by the pool when Andrew and David ran to the pool and immediately jumped in the water. I told Don that David could not swim so we watched. David came to the top of the water, grabbed the side of the pool and said to us,"That is called swimming". We roared with laughter. David has been a swimmer ever since.

August 29, 2014 Gull Bay, Nova Scotia. Surfing.

For two days the surf was up. Surfers could be seen all day from our deck. It was Showtime, Nova Scotia style. The third hurricane of the season was in the mid Atlantic, passing by Bermuda this morning. Our weather was perfect except for the high waves, which all day yesterday and today were crashing onto our rocks. At any given time all day yesterday and today, black objects could be seen in Gull Bay. The water is so cold that all surfers wear wet suits so when you first look out to the Bay you think you might be seeing seals but on closer look, you see that the surfers are out. First thing in the morning, you see the surfers. By 9:00, the first group leaves for work, to be replaced by the students. All day, the surfers can be found in Gull Bay. It is exciting to watch. While watching from our deck, in addition to the surfers, we spotted seals cavorting in front of our house. A bit further out we saw Ganetts diving for their dinner. But the waves were the most impressive. They were noisy as well as big. In the middle of the night everyone closed their windows as the waves were so noisy. Our home was the perfect spot to watch the show both yesterday and today. We were fortunate.

August 28, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Westcote Bell Pottery.

Success is difficult to achieve when you move to a new country and begin your business in an area where you have no contacts. But the good folks at the Westcote Bell Pottery have made the grade. The husband and wife, Vaughan and Jacqueline moved to Nova Scotia in early 2012. She is an artist and he a potter. They are both excellent at their craft. And they have worked very hard. First the made presentable their studio overlooking the river. The early 19th century fish shack has been transformed. Now they both work while "listening to the waves breaking under the studio". This quote is from their brochure. They live in an old home across the street with thousands of flowers in their front yard. Today, we four were delighted to see improvements made to the studio. A new shed in now attached to the pottery studio and a new ramp built up to the side door. The pottery made by Vaughn is spectacular. This winter season he has sold several of his large pots, which sell for lots of money, but what I like the best is that he has many objects that are clever and affordable. This is his third summer at LaHave and they are both doing well. It is such a pleasure to see success in action.

August 27, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Another Celebration.

A 56th Wedding Anniversary is worth noting. This evening we celebrated our 56th anniversary in style, although at our age, our style is quiet. We shared dinner with our friends in our own home. It was lovely to share with our long time friends. No better way to celebrate than having dinner quietly at home. Our guests included my brother and sister in law, Dave and Irene; Don and Doreen, who are our oldest friends; and of course our good Nova Scotia friends, Gill, Mary and Clif, and Mary and Walt. Ken and I are still not up to huge celebrations, so this evening's dinner at home surrounded by loved friends and family was the perfect event. Our dinner was easy but delicious. Smoked salmon for appetizer, provided by Dave and Irene, followed a salad of greens and beets. Seafood Chowder made by Betty was next, served with bread and rolls. For dessert we ate cantelope and blueberries, served with poppy seed loaf and banana loaf, baked by Doreen. Irene and Doreen were huge helpers in the kitchen. I may do all my entertaining when I have house guests. Right now, an hour after the guests have left, the kitchen is back to normal with all dishes in the cabinets. It is a wonderful thing to have willing workers. It is fitting that Don was here to celebrate with us in Nova Scotia because Don was Ken's best man. We are fortunate to be walking and talking and enjoying life and each other. Who would have dreamt!!

August 26, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Liverpool Pizza.

When does an event become a tradition? Irene suggested we go out for Pizza after the band concert last week, so we did, and it was a big hit. Ken and I and Dave and Irene ate salad and Pizza at the Liverpool Pizza Cafe, a restaurant we had driven past thousands of time. My always generous brother and sister in law paid the bill. We were all very happy. Tonight, Don and Doreen joined the four of us at the band concert, so Irene suggested that we continue our tradition of dining on Pizza after the concert. Everyone agreed that traditions are important, even though we had only done it once, so off we went to the same Liverpool Pizza Cafe for salad and pizza. As usual, the food was great and the service excellent. The 6 of us were the only folks in the restaurant. And Dave and Irene again paid the bill, which made the other four very happy indeed. Unfortunately, tonight was the last band concert of the summer season so our tradition must await a full year. We hope the tradition will continue in 2015.

August 25, 2014. Western Head, N.S. Seascape.

Once every visit we eat Fish and Chips. The idea is much better than actually eating it. I am not sure if it is merely patriotic or whether we enjoy eating the Fish and Chips but we always and only once eat a meal of Fish and Chips. Every restaurant serves it. The fish is always fresh. Nova Scotians will send the fish back to the kitchen if the fish is not fresh. In our opinion, the best place to eat Fish and Chips is at The Seascape Restaurant, right on Highway 103, close to Port Mouton. The Seascape Restaurant has been a family owned establishment for four generations, always serving food in their same location. The building is a small Cape Cod style home. The first family of Campbells to run the restaurant served food on one side of the home while they lived in the other. As the family grew, dormers were added to the second story and the family lived upstairs. And a small grocery store was opened on the former living quarters. Now the fourth generation does the cooking. The restaurant seats 20 diners while half of the building sells groceries and liquor. The restaurant is cute with Nova Scotia tartan table clothes. The Fish and Chips were delicious on Saturday when Dave and Irene treated us for lunch. Both Ken and I ate two pieces of fish and a half order of fried clams. It can't be good for you so maybe next time we will stop the practice. But I doubt it.