My twelve week in Canada would see me continue to relax in the remote island community offered in Freeport, Nova Scotia. It began with another fog-covered day, and of course the now traditional cooked breakfast that was simply delightful. My host, Barb, decided to take me to neighboring island Westport, where I got to see the lighthouse at Nova Scotias most western port, some of the beautiful coastline afforded on the island, as well as enquiring about the possibility of going out fishing at some point in the week, despite my appalling sea sickness record. After our exploration of the island, we headed back to Freeport, where a stop was taken at a delightful little cafe where I somehow managed to eat an entire plate of nachos alongside a delightfully cool pint of Keiths. Barb then treated me to the local delicacy of scallops, freshly plucked from the sea and widely considered to the the best in the world, before enjoying a few beers while watching the Blue Jays go down 8-4 to the Boston Red Sox on the television

The lighthouse at the most western point in Nova Scotia	Unfortunately, no seals had gathered in the cove today
Looking north at the islands landscape

My first early rise since arrival in Freeport was for a very justified cause - yes, it was the fireman's breakfast. Every fortnight, the firemen of the island put on a breakfast in the fire hall for the residents, and excitingly it was a case of "all you can eat". Being in my element, I devoured two helpings full of toast, eggs, beans, sausages, bacons and in true Canadian style, pancakes. After this delightful breakfast, in which I met many interesting locals including a vicar who I can only describe as Father Jack, I headed back to the house while Barb headed off to church. After a delightful hot dog lunch taken out in the garden, I enjoyed an afternoon sleep before waking up for the afternoons ball game, which saw the Jays beat the Red Sox 2-1. Dinner was the traditional Sunday roast of chicken and all the trimmings, and we spent the evening watching CSI and Red Dragon along with Amos, the chap from across the road, who dropped the news that his sister was too embarrassed to meet me - hardly surprising though given my boyish good looks

An omelet breakfast was the beginning of a day in which I was going to hike out to see the balancing rock. On the way to the begin of the path to the rock, we stopped in at the island museum to meet another young lady resident who wanted to meet me - and indeed it was someone I used to have e-mail contact with many moons ago. Working alongside her in the museum was a chap who Barb soon confirmed as being homosexual, and the isolated island community soon had me drawing comparisons to David Thomas from Little Britain, and I did wonder if he was the only gay on the island. The imaginative naming of Canadian landmarks was soon made clear to me once again, as the balancing rock was a rock that was balancing - although quite why it was balancing and how was a great mystery. The journey back to Freeport was then made once I had hiked back to the car park to meet Barb, and the evening was spent once again enjoying television and relaxing with some cool beers

The balancing rock	McCarthys face denotes the shock at how this rock has remained balancing for many years

Tuesday was a day of bright sunshine, and as such I spent it lounging around in the garden. This was partly because I was expecting a call from home, and as such could not go exploring for risk of them calling while I was out. Hotdog and beer were the order of the day for lunch, while I made the decision to stay with Barb for an extra three days, extending my visit until Saturday, when I would move onto New Brunswick to explore Saint John. After the call was finally received, we headed off to the cafe for a fish and chip supper, where Barb introduced me to two attractive young girls who were staying in the property on the land adjacent to her house. She later conferred in me that the eldest girl sometimes held parties there for her friends, but alas this was not happening this year, which was naturally upsetting for me. The evening was once again spent enjoying beer and television, as I took full advantage the rare chance to do nothing

Wednesday saw us head off the island to Digby, which is the nearest town of a decent size - a mere hours drive away. This journey was made vital due to the unfortunate explosion of a vital part of the cooker during breakfast. Our first port of call was the local rubbish shop, where some candles were purchased. A stroll along the waterfront was then taken, before checking out the ferry situation for my trip to Saint John next week. We finally purchased the new element for the cooker, before purchasing some food and beer for my extended stay from the supermarket. An early dinner was taken in a local pizza restaurant, before we returned to Freeport, where I was invited to investigate a property that my Grandparents are considering purchasing. Left over lasagna from last Thursdays banquet relieved any lingering hunger doubts, before the usual routine of CSI and a movie about New York being under martial law filled the evening

Barbs dog Barney, that unsurprisingly became very fond of McCarthy during his visit

Despite the cruel twist of fate of the newly purchased element being too big to fit in the oven, breakfast was served. Today was the ultimate holiday day, in that I would be doing absolutely nothing for the first time since arriving in Canada. The household animals received their jabs, and I spent the majority of the day seated infront of the television before a delightful evening meal of chicken coated in honey, and a movie about the assassination of two supreme court judges

An 8.30am awakening was in order today due to our 2 hour trip to nearby Yarmouth to see the tall ships exhibition that was making its way down the east coast of Canada and the States. There were 6 boats on offer, although unfortunately you were not able to board them. After this, we took lunch at a rather posh hotel for a set of club sandwiches and some beer, before undertaking the drive home, during which we stopped for some ice cream and some more groceries. The evening meal consisted of chicken once again, this time in a ceasar salad, before we spent the evening watching the uplifting and very British movie of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrells. I then headed to bed for what would be my last night of significant comfort in Canada, with week thirteen due to begin with my trip to Saint John

CANADA TOUR

MAC INDUSTRIES HOME