Sunday 29 July 2012

Queensland, Nova Scotia

We had such great summer weather during our stay in Queensland, Nova Scotia. Nova Scotian weather can be as variable as regular Scotian weather, especially during the summer. So when we agreed to a week (in July!) on the South Shore with my parents I did have my doubts. But it was a fantastic week. Only one day of rain, with another day of meh weather - not meh enough not to go swimming.

The summer weather lent to some of the most amazing, and familiar, of smells: the boggy smell of the ocean combining with the sunny smell of wild rose and chamomile. And the scenery along the coast was fantastic. It was glorious running.

Sunday 22 July 2012

Halifax

I'm in Canada for the the rest of July until the middle of September: visiting Nova Scotia for over a week, Prince Edward Island for a couple days, then off to Ottawa for the rest of the time.

Right now I'm in Nova Scotia right now, by the beach and loving it. The kids are loving the water and fresh air. We arrived in Halifax and hung around there for a few days: it was fun seeing the city with my family in tow. I always think of Halifax as the city I grew up in. I moved there when I was 18 and left when I was 25 - formative years for me And that was a place and time that informed who I am.

It's weird returning 15 years later. Even though so much has changed, and almost everyone I knew has moved away. I keep expecting to run into people. I keep looking, thinking "hey! is that...?" then I remember that the person I'm looking for is older. Like me! Somehow I expect Halifax to have stayed the same while I did all the changing.

I ran twice in Halifax. Since it was so hot while we were there I ran early to avoid the heat / humidity / pollution combination. The first run was around the Spring Garden - Quinpool area. It's so lovely with its tree lined streets and big wooden houses. I spent so much time in that neighbourhood as a student, it was a good way to reminisce.

My second run was in an area I didn't know on foot: over the MacDonald Bridge and into Dartmouth. That was a bit rough. I kept forgetting the layout of the city and would need to run a block or so out of the way to get on the right street. I love running over bridges and this was no different. I had a great view of the city and all the Tall Ships which were visiting the port. Once in Dartmouth, I ran through the Dartmouth Commons (which I didn't know existed) and through St. Peter's cemetery before heading back to the bridge. I finished my run at the Cabin Coffee
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cabin-Coffee/158288467523021 . I had a French Roast. It was so good.

I'll keep posting through out our time away from Scotland.Due to the frenetic nature of packing, I've left the USB port that allows me to download photos. I'll post pictures once I've got that sorted.