Today when we left home, which was about 10 am., we pointed our truck to the Gaelic community on Cape Breton Island. We went across St Ann’s Bay on the Angus McAllister Ferry and went to the Cabot Trail. At one point on the Trail is the Gaelic University. This university has a summer program for anyone who is interested in Gaelic singing, the Gaelic language, piping, playing bagpipes, Gaelic dancing and Gaelic story telling. It had a very informative interpretive center and beautiful grounds. They advertise that they have the most original and wonderful craft shop. Well, I was looking for a place like that to buy a gift but I could not find one thing in my price range. So, I will have to look somewhere else.
After we left the university we pointed our truck in the direction of Iona. This is a town that is located on a little piece of land sticking between St. Andrew’s Channel, St. Patrick’s Channel and Bras d’Or Lake. We used a ferry to cross St. Andrew’s Channel to get to the area.
The Highland’s Interpretive Center was a beautiful place. Even though it was raining we really enjoyed the center. We stopped at a restaurant which was connected to the center for lunch. We had a table next to a wall of windows that looked over the Lake. We were high above the water so we looked down on the lake. It was an awesome view even though it was raining. They say in this area “just wait 10 minutes and the weather will change.” They seem to have small weather pockets that makes the weather different in each area depending on the lay of the land.
I have another GPS story. When we got off the ferry Lizzie told us to turn right so that is what we did. Well, after a few moments I looked at the map and I told Walt that we were taking the long way to Iona. Well, we soon found out she was going to take us across country to get to Iona. We have not figured out why because we ended up going over another dirt road which was very slippery when wet. It went up and down over steep hills and Walt was beside himself. We do not like this GPS. We will see how it does when we get it in the states. If it works okay there we will probably give it to someone or sell it over ebay.
Well, the interpretive center was great. A busload of people came into the greeting area at the same time we came in and they showed them a video that was very informative about the Gaelic community. They also served coffee, tea and oat cakes. I have a recipe for the oat cakes, but I will also try to get some at the coop (grocery store) in the area. The cakes were very good and high in fiber.
After watching the video we went to the out building for the exhibit. They had homes from the first settlers to the homes of the 20th century. They used the switch board for the telephone unto 1975 when they went to the normal telephone company. You do not see people use cell phones on the island. The reason for this is probably because of the reception in the rural areas. They probably use them in the Sydney area. We have had difficulty using a cell phone and computer.
The ladies and gentlemen were dressed in period costumes and were very informed. If you asked a question they could give a very detailed answer. We even attended a cialiah (Kay-lee). This is when you would visit someone and they would talk, tell stories, drink tea, dance and play a fiddle.
The costumed guides did the program and we all watched and listened. The Gaelic language is much different than the German language so I did not understand any of the language. One of the guides would translate the meaning. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. We left Iona and used the map instead of Lizzie and got home just as the sun was setting.
When we got home I made some haddock which a neighboring park person had caught in St. Ann’s Bay last evening. Walt really enjoyed them. He said I should make the filets which had been fried the same way next time. I told him that my cooking was not always that accurate to recreate something the same way two times in a row. We will see what happens the next time.
It was laundry night so Walt did the laundry as I did some housekeeping chores, which was doing dishes and general household pick up and cleaning.
It is 10 pm and time for bed.
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