Don and I spent some time exploring the South Shore of Nova Scotia today. It was Heritage Day so everything was closed - banks, schools, grocery stores, other stores, etc. Unlike US holidays, everything closes down here for a bank holiday - so get your groceries the day before and don't expect to run to Home Depot for your fixer upper project. We took off for a little road trip across to the South Shore - Mahone Bay and Lunenburg and a little stop at Blue Rocks. 

First stop was Mahone Bay, called Mushamush by the native Mik'maq people after one of the rivers that flows into the harbor. In 1754, the British began to colonize the area and brought European settlers - mainly German speaking immigrants who become known as the "foreign Protestants." German was the main language spoken for many years. The architecture is lovely with old Victorian gabled homes and simple cottages dating back to the late 1700's. Mahone Bay is  home to many artisan craft shops which were closed for the winter season so we will definitely be back here. 

We made a quick roadside stop at Maders Cove to take pics. The temp was 3°C (37°F) so that means no coats for a short photo stop. We've made it through 2 months of Canadian winter, eh. I think we're getting tough. 

Next stop was Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Originally a Mi'kmaq camp used to harvest clams,  the site became a Mi’kmaq and Acadian village named Mirliguèche for over a hundred years. In 1753, the British began settling the area with European settlers, primarily German speaking Lutherans.  Old Town Lunenburg is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. Drawn up as a rectangular grid, with squared up corners and parallel streets, Lunenburg has retained its original layout and overall appearance. The old houses and churches date back to the late 1700's. 

We wandered the streets, admiring the architecture, and then stopped for coffee and  lunch at Kate's Sweet Indulgence Cafe. Many shops and restaurants were closed for the winter season but Kate's was open and well worth the stop. 

Click on the pictures below for more info. 

Last stop was Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia, a small working fishing village close to Lunenburg and a great place for photos. It was too icy  - and the tide was too high - to get good pics of the blue striations on the rocks. But we'll be back.