With Canada Day coming up on Monday, I have been thinking about one of my favourite spots in Canada. Everybody thinks the water is cold in Nova Scotia and, for the most part, that might be true. But we often spend summer vacations visiting a spot where the water is relatively warm and the beach is as beautiful as you would expect.
My parents were born and raised in Nova Scotia and it's where my grandparents and most of my aunts, uncles and cousins lived when I was growing up. We didn't visit often, but I enjoyed the hospitality, the natural beauty and, of course, my grandmother's baking, when we did.
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| My little guy enjoying an unspoiled Nova Scotia beach on one of our summer trips. |
Little did I know then that one of the best spots for family vacations in Nova Scotia is the very beach my dad walked on as a child. Dad was born and raised in Judique, Nova Scotia. His ancestors, the "Bogainn MacDonalds," came to Canada from Scotland in the closing years of the 18th century.
The Gaelic word "bogainn" means marsh and the Gaelic "bog an lochain" is a type of water bird. According to oral tradition, this family of MacDonalds had a reputation for going out fishing on the ocean in all kinds of weather. On one particular stormy day, they were sighted out on the water by some neighbours, who commented, "Tha gu leoir dha fhein a'bhi a bhogainn amuigh an diugh!" It's enough for the "bogainn" himself to be out today!
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| One of the cottages (with a picturesque view) we rented over the years. |
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| Dad on the beach at Mabou. |
If you throw a stone on the beach in Port Hood, you are likely to hit a MacDonald (probably one of my relatives). If you do, tell them I say "hi!"
Happy Canada Day friends!
I love Nova Scotia! My favourite area is the South Shore, but really, it's all beautiful :-) We'll be vacationing on Cape Breton in the fall - can't wait to get back to the ocean!
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day!
I don't know as much about the South Shore, but that's next up! I miss the ocean too! Have a great weekend Kelly. :)
DeleteHappy Canada Day! What foods will you eat? :P I'm thinking of doing a little Canada Day down here. I have a maple leaf cookie cutter :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I haven't thought about the food at all. I certainly didn't think about maple leaf cookies, but I like your idea. ;)
DeleteI MUST visit Nova Scotia someday!!
ReplyDeleteSince I know you are a nature lover, I really think you would enjoy it!
DeleteInteresting Post! Love the Picture of the Cottage ,the red Chair <3 :)
ReplyDeleteLovely Greetings :)
I love the coloured chair too. It had a great view of the ocean in the distance too. :)
DeleteLove this post! Cape Breton is probably my favorite place in the world...
ReplyDeleteHopefully we can meet up there one day, cousin! :)
DeleteMy parents took us to the East Coast many years ago, but I've never been back. We keep thinking about it though, so I'm sure we'll do it one day in the next couple of years ... maybe with the camping trailer. Nice post Jo, love the shot of your dad with his Oprah magazine ;)
ReplyDeleteWe used to go with the trailer when I was a kid. That's lots of fun!
DeleteI had to get a picture of him reading Oprah's magazine. He's not normally an Oprah fan. ;)
I've always wanted to go to Nova Scotia. This beach is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely go! It's even worth the drive if you want to drive. :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful area! I've gotten close to Nova Scotia but never quite made it there. I've heard it's stunning. How lucky you are to get to enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty amazing! I hope to go soon. :)
DeleteI've never been to Nova Scotia so I'm very pleased for my daughter who took the train there, just yesterday!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for her! I've never gone on the train. That should be interesting too. :)
DeleteBeautiful shots and what an amazing, rich history your family has!!! I love the Gaelic! The beach is beyond perfect , Jo!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy! I actually don't know any Gaelic so that could be wrong for all I know. ;)
DeleteIt is a lovely beach. Makes me miss the ocean!
I would love to visit Nova Scotia one day! Happy Canada Day from the other side - British Columbia!
ReplyDeleteThank you! BC is very beautiful too! :)
DeleteLooks beautiful! I'm sitting here in front of a lake north of Toronto, but one day I hope to be closer to the ocean. And my Grandfather was a "McDonald," so does that make us distant cousins? Probably not, but hi anyway! (www.cookingdangerously.com #tgcbb)
ReplyDeleteI would take a lake for now! ;)
DeleteOver the years, people have asked me if I'm related to the McDonalds restaurant people. Your grandfather has the right spelling for that!
Have a great weekend.
Looks like a perfect spot to take the family and just "get away from it all". Happy Canada Day!
ReplyDeletePatricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
It is that, for sure! :)
DeleteHappy Canada Day!
I live in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, but it's on my bucket list to go to Cape Breton. My fiance loves it there and has said it's the perfect spot for our wedding. From the pictures I've seen of Cape Breton, I'd have to agree.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, it would be AMAZING to be married there! All the best for your wedding! :)
Deletethat's a fun history, I found the water to be so cold when we were out East even in August. Love that shot of your Dad reading O magazine lol Thanks for linking up to TGCBB this year!
ReplyDeleteI know, the water can be cold for sure. :(
DeleteI'm sure my dad probably doesn't even know who Oprah is. That's why I had to get a pic. ;)
Thanks for hosting a great Canadian-themed party!
Jo
Looks like a lovely place to visit! I've always wanted to visit the maritimes. It's going on my bucket list for sure. Hope you had a nice long weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful there! You should definitely try to get there. :)
DeleteLove the picture of your dad with O. Nova Scotia is a place I definitely want to visit. I've never been. :) Thanks for participating in The Great Canadian Blog Bash and we are very happy to have you! #TGCBB
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, Nova Scotia is a must-see!
DeleteThanks for bringing us #TGCBB! What a fun opportunity. :)
The hubs hails from cape Breton and we even got married there! I've met a couple macdonalds !!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to get married! I'm jealous. ;)
DeleteAt the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre!
ReplyDeleteCool! My mom is from Sydney Mines. Not too far away, I think. :)
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