After a very late arrival in Louisbourg last night, we found it very difficult to arise from our beds this morning. It took us quite a while to get moving but we eventually made our way to the National Historic Site of Fortress Louisbourg. Upon arrival at the fort we began to learn much about the history of the area. The French arrived here in 1713 and established Louisbourg as a base for fishing and trade. It rapidly became France’s most strategic seaport and cemented France’s stronghold in the Atlantic. Louisbourg came under siege twice by the British who eventually destroyed the Fort on 1760. The area lay in ruins until the 1950’s when restoration work began. Today about 25% of the town has been restored and we were able to enjoy its sights. We spent most of the day walking and absorbing life as it was in 1744. After an informative guided tour, we sat down to lunch, (period style) eating the way the working class would have done back then. We had a tin bowl and 1 pewter spoon and ordered off a typical menu from 1744. The boys managed to tuck large napkins around their necks the way the soldiers would have done. We saw life as it was from a range of perspectives: fisherman, slaves, the merchant class and the wealthy and powerful leaders. We even went on a tour of spooky Louisbourg much to Nick’s delight. Emily located the bakery and we bought a delicious 6lb loaf of bread which we managed to devour when we got back to the van.
The day went very quickly and we all agreed that Louisbourg was a very interesting stop on our trip. For dinner we decided to avail ourselves of the buffet in the restaurant attached to our RV Park. I was finally able to experience the long awaited lobster dinner whilst the rest of the family tucked into an all you can eat buffet! Staggering back to the van, it was time for housekeeping and bed! Holidays are so tiring!
Day 24: 3.08.09
A day of feral mosquitoes and a frustrating ferry company!
We arrived and set up camp once again at Little Paradise Park near Port aux Basque, unprepared it seems for a major mosquito onslaught! Beset with bites from what seemed like 100’s of buzzing pests, none of us got much sleep and the ubiquitous citrus oil spray was largely ineffective. It seemed like I was just dozing when John woke me at 6.00am and let me know that it was time to get up. Bleary eyed, the five of us quickly got ourselves ready and made our way down to the ferry terminal at Port Aux Basque by 8.00am. Luckily for us, the ferry pretty much departed on time and I allowed myself to feel a little hopeful.
Alas, my confidence in Marine Atlantic was sorely misplaced. After an hour or so, an announcement came over stating that we were to be delayed (at sea) for several hours whilst another vessel unloaded and reloaded before us. Needless to say, many people on this ferry are extremely pissed with this company. I tend to adopt a laissez-faire attitude to these sorts of delays – inconvenient as they are, there is nothing you can do about it. We are a captive audience so to speak. At the time of writing, we are still on the ferry. Once docked, we still have to off load and make the drive to Louisbourg before once again, setting up camp for a couple of days! Who knows? This trip is full of surprise and we have learnt to expect the unexpected!
A day of feral mosquitoes and a frustrating ferry company!
We arrived and set up camp once again at Little Paradise Park near Port aux Basque, unprepared it seems for a major mosquito onslaught! Beset with bites from what seemed like 100’s of buzzing pests, none of us got much sleep and the ubiquitous citrus oil spray was largely ineffective. It seemed like I was just dozing when John woke me at 6.00am and let me know that it was time to get up. Bleary eyed, the five of us quickly got ourselves ready and made our way down to the ferry terminal at Port Aux Basque by 8.00am. Luckily for us, the ferry pretty much departed on time and I allowed myself to feel a little hopeful.
Alas, my confidence in Marine Atlantic was sorely misplaced. After an hour or so, an announcement came over stating that we were to be delayed (at sea) for several hours whilst another vessel unloaded and reloaded before us. Needless to say, many people on this ferry are extremely pissed with this company. I tend to adopt a laissez-faire attitude to these sorts of delays – inconvenient as they are, there is nothing you can do about it. We are a captive audience so to speak. At the time of writing, we are still on the ferry. Once docked, we still have to off load and make the drive to Louisbourg before once again, setting up camp for a couple of days! Who knows? This trip is full of surprise and we have learnt to expect the unexpected!
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