Jul 18 -​ Ferry to Nova Scotia & Antigonish, NS
03:45 – time to WAKE UP. We have a ferry to catch!!
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And we did. Because one ferry is out of service, we decided to 
take the 5 a.m. ferry. Trucks and buses have priority. RVs are 
bottom of the list. 
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We were advised by the ferry worker who took our fare that 
space that was limited for overheight vehicles and trailers, but 
we had no problem. But the episode reminded me of the old 
days with BC Ferries, waiting, biting nails, etc. just hoping that 
we'd get on the ferry.
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We got up to the cafeteria and had the Islander Breakfast. It was not bad at all – eggs, hash browns, sausage (me), bacon (Jen), toast and coffee for $7.25.
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The sun was getting close to rising.                                                                                       There it is!!

After our walk in the morning sunshine – it is a beautiful morning – we drove back to the info centre for some literature and maps. We then drove out to a potential campground east of Pictou. Oh no - looks just like one of those kinds of trailer parks. 
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We decided to head towards Antigonish via the coast road. Again, a lovely morning but now it was getting close to coffee time. Nope, no places to stop, really. Ah, but wait. There's a sign for Lismore Wharf. So left turn and in we go. We pulled up along side the fish boats tied up at the dock. You can't see 'em but we watched a couple of Bald Eagles sitting on the top of a tree waiting for someone to toss them a meal (never happened).

​And then a gentleman drove in, parked his truck (you can just see it at the right of the picture) and came our way. 

Here is the story of the Hector.
We arrived in Cariboo, NS on time – about 6:20 a.m. We drove to the NS Info Centre in Pictou just down the road. Okay, open at 9:30 a.m. What to do for 3 hours. Right…..sleep!
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We drove into town, turned right and parked on a side road and slept for 2 hours. After arising for a second time this morning, we went for a walk along the Pictou waterfront across from the old train station (Did ya like the way I snuck that train station in?!) to the Hector.

We chatted for a while, then I introduced myself and Jen. Angus MacDonald - a thoroughly delightful man. We had good fun trading stories. Angus is a lobster fisherman and he'd come down to check on his boat. At one point he said he'd better go as he'd left his dog in the truck, that's why he left it running.

"Dog? Dog! Aren't you going to let him out…..oops, sorry, her out?" 
"Well I could" said Angus.
Well now here's Rosie, a chocolate Lab, all 5 years of her. She was more interested in "smelling the roses" so off she went. We did get a cuddle or two in though, but Rosie was definitely more interested in the smells than us.

A short while later, we said our goodbyes and Angus headed off to check on his boat. Bye Angus. Bye Rosie. I'd given Angus our card. I hope he checks out our blog.

Then a couple from Colwood (Victoria), BC pulled in in their Sprinter-based class C motorhome. Born in Gaspé and heading in that direction. We said hello, chatted briefly, then left.
We checked into Whidden's Campground right in downtown Antigonish in the early afternoon. Lots of people, kids, etc. around. In fact the family next door, as I got out of Alfie, said "if you don't like kids, you better leave now." I kiddingly said "yeah, I was just thinking about that!" All in good fun.
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We met Gary and Shawna, their parents Alfred and Anna (I hope I got the names and spelling right!) and son Nate. Gary was curious about Ali. "Looks like a cargo trailer." "Yup, you are correct." We chatted as we got set up and I told them if they wanted to have a look they were more than welcome to. Well everyone came over to have a look. I think they were impressed with what we've done. Even Shawna suggested that Gary could do something similar. It sure is fun showing off Ali!
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After dinner we went for our evening walk into town and the main street, actually looking for the library. Approaching us was a couple with ice cream cones and a Nova Scotia Duck Troller pup – 1½ years old – in tow. What a cutie. "What's her name?" "Trig, as in Trigonometry" said the lady. Before I had a chance…"I'm a math teacher and I just couldn't let it go" said the gent. A good laugh and we went our separate ways. Yes, of course, we had a cuddle or two (with the dog that is!).
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We strolled back to the campground and settled in for the night. The park is busy so the wifi is slow. We'll head to the library in the morning to do some work and update the blog.
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See you then.