We have found a great place and are eager to stay, while we go through all the boat systems. There is a wonderful cooperative approach where I can do some of the repairs with their supervision and expertise. Today we completed going through the fuel manifolds for all tanks, just to be sure all lines are clear. I rebuilt the head in the master stateroom. We are waiting for a refrigeration specialist from Sidney and expect him tomorrow AM. The temperature in the refrigerator is 50 degrees and 8 in the freezer.  If all goes well tomorrow we will be off to Newfoundland on Thursday.

Tonight Kip invited John to dinner after he helped me work on the head all day. She made green chile & pork & it was delicious. Well, no sooner did we start,  John’s friend Robert showed up. He was introduced as the mayor; whether he really is or not I don’t know. He ate too and we had a great time hearing stories about Cape Breton Island. They explained that National Geographic says this island is the third prettiest in the world, but they couldn’t say which other two were better. I am not sure I can tell you either! Tomorrow Robert is going to get lobsters and we’ll have a BIG time tomorrow night, for sure. No leaving tomorrow. It is no surprise for us to say that the people here are the greatest.

We have plenty of time before meeting our crew in Corner Brook and want the boat in top shape before heading into the arctic. I am really glad Kip and I have another leg to check things out one more time. 

Kip ran 5 loads of laundry on the boat. That little washer/dryer really works well, but the “permanent press” cycle leaves something to be desired – a young person’s special….

We appreciate hearing from you all and are glad you are enjoying the site and our “running away from home”… Thanks to our sons Scott & Randy for making this communication with you all possible.

We want to wish you a Happy Fourh of July! We are anchored in Portage Cove near Cape Canso at the tip of Nova Scotia.  This area is very pretty and rocky, and it is windy and very foggy tonight. Tomorrow we plan to go through St. Peter’s lock into Bras d’Or Lake, and hope to meet up with Randy, Jenny and Quinlan on Sunday.

[Show as slideshow]

We left Randy, Jenny & Quinlan in Halifax. They rented a car and are headed to PEI and will rendezvous with us at the Bras d’Or Lake in a couple of days. It’s a good thing too, as today was no picnic. Seas were about 10′ abeam and it was quite breezy.

We didn’t leave the Armdale Yacht Club until 2:00 pm after fueling because we found a leak in the Defrost system and fixed it there. Wouldn’t you know that it was the “impossible to get to” spot but eventually with the right tool all was well. The people at this club were so nice and gracious; we’d recommend a visit to anyone in the area.

We set the anchor behind Malagash Island which reminds us of S.E. Alaska with all the rocks and evergreens right to the waterline — very pretty. The anchorage is quiet and we are the only ones here. Tomorrow should be a more pleasant run with calmer conditions predicted. Kip, as usual is putting on the spread for dinner; curry and some good smelling bread!

[Show as slideshow]

We spent today on a mooring, and were able to fix our “get home” drive (backup engine) and reorganized our living area. We met the nicest couple (Donnie & Marilyn) who saw us, queried “Geraldine”on the internet, hit the website and then contacted us! Donnie helped with the fuses that fixed the get home motor. We presented Donnie with a pound of Peets coffee; our reward for a special encounter. This is the second such presentation of the trip.

We also got the high-frequency email to work, though I wouldn’t claim to be an expert yet. Next is to get the weather fax working. I also want to connect my Macbook to the Raymarine network on the boat; so far it hasn’t worked.