But Wait, There’s More! To Ingonish

Just when you thought you’d heard enough here we are back for our last few weeks heading to our final destinations in western Canada.

After our rest in the rather downcast town of New Waterford - once a mining town with an old coal fired power station nearby, now in the rough process of post industrial transformation (and we in Newcastle know all about that!) - we headed off in a thick fog for the more congenial Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island via a brief detour to the reconstructed Fort at Louisbourg. The fog did not abate and the cold rain closed in so we abandoned our plans to walk over this huge and historic site. Graham was still recovering from a nasty cold so this was a health decision as much as anything. We were not dismayed or disappointed though, the one thing we have learned is that every trip has its own character and this should be accepted with gratitude and humility for what it is. It’s so great just to see it and to be here!

Onwards then to the famous Cabot Trail on Cape Breton. This trail follows the spectacular coast of a huge and well loved national park encompassing three mountain peaks and some truly breathtaking scenery. Our drive there however was again through thick Atlantic fog and we were concerned that we would see little of the trail’s delights if this kept up. Happily it didn’t.

We stayed our first foggy night on the trail at Ingonish in a quaint old B&B called the Island Inn which was established in 1926 and had been receiving travellers on the trail since then. We decided to have dinner at the much lauded Keltic Lodge nearby, styled as one of the great hotels of Nova Scotia. Fabulous location, lovely architecture but very disappointing food. Go for the view … but buy your fish & chips at the local takeaway! This was followed by a comfortable night back at the Inn and after a hot breakfast cooked by our host, we headed off on the spectacular drive through the park as the welcome sunshine made its presence felt.Read more