We awoke in Portage Cove to sunshine!  It was glorious to see the birds and seals all over also enjoying the day!  The seas were calm and we crossed Chedabucto Bay to St. Peter’s Bay.  To enter the Bras d’Or Lake we had to pass through one lock and a swing bridge which was really fun. Later we went through a double bascule bridge at Grand Narrows.  The Lake reminds us of Lake Tahoe but with rolling hills instead of snow capped mountains (no small difference!)  We sailed from the fly bridge where we could steer and enjoy the view; something we haven’t done because of the weather and rough seas.  It was a lovely day and such a contrast to what we have experienced.  We arrived at Baddeck, found a mooring and went out to dinner.

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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.

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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!

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We have given away three one pound bags of Peets coffee to people who have been so nice to us along the way; one to Sherrie and Ken who lent us their car to go grocery shopping in Shelburne. The second went to Donnie and Marilyn who drove us to the food store and gave us a tour of Lunenburg. The third went to Judy and Bob who took us shopping and took Randy and Jenny to the airport to get a rental car. All have been pleased to get some great Peets coffee from California!

We want to add that the people at Wilbur Yachts have been so supportive and have called every day to help us iron out the problems we have been having. How we appreciate their support.