I headed up the west coast of Cape Breton (now for Mary that would be the left side) and enjoyed the country and seaside. It was sunny and bright and very little wind.I arrived at around noon at Cheticamp where I met Louis at Little Pond Stables. His wife Helena would be back at around 3 or later (as you know women like to shop). I wanted to book a horse back ride on the beach! Louis sent me up the road on the Cabot Trail and suggested I go on the Skyline Trail. After a great lunch of fresh pan fried halibut and all of the trimmings I headed to the trail head. I wanted to calculate the timing so I'd arrive back at 3. Well it was an almost 5 mile walk through some incredible trails. I wish I had a horse. At the furthest point I saw the ocean and the skyline was fantastic.I met several other groups of people and then avoided them. I stopped when out of breathe and took everything in. At some point I gave up on pressuring myself to get back by 3. As it was I arrived a the ranch at 4 and Helena arrived 5 minutes later!
She told me there would be a ride at 9 am next day so I asked her to suggest a place to spend the night. Outfitters B and B Veronica made me welcome. Supper of scallops and home-made fries.
Great B and B, nice visits with a discussion of Cape Breton's palliative care system NONE at home. Veronica at worked at the 'senior home'.She said family looks after Mom and Dad until they need a hospital. We are so lucky in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health District. Once again I count my blessings.
Today was overcast and windy but still OK in my books. The other riders were a young Ontario couple on a holiday. Very very nice. I was given a nice older horse with an attitude that I could handle. Practised in the pen for a bit then headed out across the pavement into the woods (bush). Spruce trees and birch and other deciduous trees I was not familiar with. The ride was over 1 1/2 hours. Came out of the woods and ended up riding along the wind swept beach heading north. Horses were amazing. Great in the howling wind. I was dressed very well but was still cold. The surf was pounding and Helena said they take the horses into it on hot days.Back into more woods on different trails, down to a brook and pond (creek and slough). Posed for pictures and really enjoyed myself. Back at the stable I helped untack then was surprised with an invitation to a lunch of lobster and tea! WOW. Louis had come home the day before with 3 lobsters. They had cooked them up and now eat them cold. What a treat. I bid farewell and headed back around the Cabot Trail. Fabulous trip mostly between 30 and 50 kph. Stopped several times to take in the views. Visited a leather works shop with fabulous works of art plus many clever functional pieces. I treated myself to a 'riding purse'- something I expect I will learn to duplicate.
At yesterday's lunch a patron overheard me asking for seafood chowder. I announced I had come all the way from Saskatchewan to haver some. They were out so I had the halibut. This woman in the next booth stopped to talk to me on her way out and suggested I stop in at Charlene's Bayside Restaurant to get the best seafood chowder in the world. The oner had been on the Food Network. So round the corner I came and there it was! I walked out with a litre jar of it with 3 mile high biscuits to contribute to Nelda and Terry's lobster supper. Lobster twice in 1 day. What a holiday!
So I did the entire Cabot Trail around the outside of Cape Breton with the exception of the centre east west road . Well worth it. Back at home we fought off the cats and had a great seafood supper.
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