We have just returned from two amazing weeks in Port Hood, on Cape Breton Island. No televison, no computer, no phone. The first two days were the hardest - just trying to relax and slow down. I felt panicked without a telephone but solved that by buying a calling card for emergencies (like birthday wishes!). I want to live on Cape Breton Island, or at least I am in love with the idea of living on Cape Breton Island (Mabou to be more specific). The skies are so big. I became addicted to taking pictures of it.
Here are a few:
Port Hood Island:
This island has no power (generators only) and is the most romantic sight from our deck. We could have been staring at a small rural community in France. I was envisioning a bakery, a cheese shop, and beautiful people (not trendy, urban 'beautiful' but rugged countryside beautiful) riding old school bicycles. As the sun went down and the lights came on, the fantasy of life on Port Hood Island grew. I wanted to visit and the local ad said "Ask the locals about a boat ride to the island" but it didn't happen. I just daydreamed from across the channel.
Places I wouldn't mind living:
Why didn't I take a front shot of the cottage we stayed in? Anyway, this is it from the side. The beach and dunes run along the right front Cottage isn't quite the right word. Summer Home is more appropriate since it was bigger than our flat here in Halifax.
Roofs not bad and someone's been cutting the grass, but all I care about are the front doors!
This place was a complete fixer-upper (haha) but something about that little red school house look is appealing.
And last but not least... See the roof?
Treasures:
Sand dollars, witch's purse (x2), a fin, starfish, fossils, etc.
Not sure what this bone is from. Definitely gets the imagination going.
I was convinced this fin was carved of wood but the smell of it tells us otherwise. My man says it is cartilege or something like that. It is amazing to look at. It measures 9" long and has a stink factor of 7.5 out of 10.
New Friends:
Bought these two friends at Bellemeade Farm. They are made from recycled wool blankets and stuffed with wool fleece.
This is Scratchy, the one-legged grasshopper. Need I say more?
Stitching:
I passed some time by making some little scenes. This one in actuality is only 1 1/2" x 1". I can see where I could have done better with this close up shot (I forgot to outline a window!).
I love the little bee on this one, with his sparkly flight path. The green and brown (I call it grass and dirt and the TinMan calls it a marsh with cat tails) are pieces of wool felt I picked up at the local sewing store in Mabou.
I read two books and am half way through the third. I LOVE Joseph Boyden's writing. Before we left I had finished Three Day Road - fantastic!!! While away I read his Through Black Spruce - another great one. His storytelling is riviting and so descriptive. I read Mr. Popper's Penguins, a gift from LaLa for the TinMan when he gets a little older. I am currently reading The Good Mayor by Andrew Nicoll. It's a quirly little story and kind of reminds me of a Baltic Amelie type story - if that makes any sense at all.
Loved. loved, loved the trip and will think about it often when school starts back up in a few weeks (3 and counting). Thank you Mum for making that all possible.
