Lunenberg and beyond. Simply stunning!!

2011 wasn't the first time we had visited Lunenberg. There is no doubt that the "lightning" three week, five Province trip with Melissa and Greg we made during the summer of 2007 left an impression on all of us.

One of the things that we both remembered and at the same time regretted was our stay in Lunenberg with Jean and George. Rembered because it was a great place and they were great hosts. Regretted because we could only stay for one day!!!  I don't think any place on the trip left us with such fond memories.

Now the Family Day weekend did give us a teeny weeny bit more time and we certainly intended to make the most of it. Luckily we were staying with right people!!!!!

So who are Jean and George?  And how did a family of Aussies from Narooma get to know them in the first place? Well it's simple, sort of. Julie sometimes travels to School in Broulee with Sarah from Tuross who used to live at Nerrigundah and before that was a Canadian and Jean is Sarah's Mum. Simple, eh!!!

There is also a myth that Jean and George are not young (mmmaybe true) and therefore not active. Definately not true. That is a myth that is well and truly Busted!!!! They both have stories that would keep me writing for days but the real story is that they were great for us to be around while we were in Lunenberg.

Lunenburg was first  settled by Europeans early in the 17th century and the French and the English had the normal raids, insurrections, mutinies and battles that seemed to be part and parcel of everyday life in those days. Things seemed to quieten down after the War of 1812 but thankfully the area has maintained much of it's charm.

To say that Lunenburg is charming is an understatement and I guess that is only part of the reason that the town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. This designation ensures protection for much of Lunenburg's unique architecture and civic design, being the best example of planned British colonial settlement in North America.

The heading said Lunenburg and beyond so what was beyond? Jean and George took us on a little drive. After a drive around the town we headed south past the house we stayed in on our 2007 visit. We followed the shoreline, passed frozen lakes and went through Bayport and (another) Rose Bay before catching the Le Have ferry.

While the bakery itself didn't look all that great the bread was truly wonderful. I guess the don't judge a book by its cover was true in this case. We continued to drive around many of the hamlets that are clinging to the shoreline all over the place. Le Have was the Arcadian Capital of Nova Scotia and it was, at one time, the economic centre of fishing, trade and shipbuilding for the surrounding area. However the Arcadian Capital was later moved to Port Royal.

However we did pass a building that reminded me of home, sort of! Maybe Something for the Eurobodalla Shire Council to think about, a long needed  upgrade of the Shire Offices!

At least there's a water view.

We wound our way back to Lunenberg for a late lunch and the opportunity to spend a few hours chatting with both George and Jean before going on yet another walk around the town. Maybe a house swap here, so many places so little time....

I think any one of these would do, at a pinch!

Another wonderful Nova Scotia day came to an end with a lovely meal this time cooked by Jean. Great food, great place, great people!