After a quiet night at the Walmart parking lot in New Glasgow, we were ready for another day. The clear sunrise promising another good day for travel and exploration.
We left the New Glasgow Walmart, and returned to Pictou.
Our first stop was a visit to the Hector Heritage Quay, a three-storey post and beam Interpretive Centre, then we stepped aboard the Ship Hector.
On September 15, 1773 the Ship Hector arrived in Pictou Harbour. On board were 189 Scottish Highlanders who had left their homes with the promise of land and a better life in the New World.
This historic voyage marked the beginning of a massive wave of immigration that would shape the future of North America and gave Pictou the honour of being called “The Birthplace of New Scotland”.
Seeing the cramped bunks below deck, and imagining the humid stench they endured for weeks at a time, gave me reason to get above decks for fresh air. They were either tough or desperate to undertake such a journey.
Our next visit, was the Shellfish museum, where we learned about the life cycle of lobster. Having spent many years in the Southern Hemisphere and catching spiny lobster, I had a good understanding of their life cycle. Watching Susan learning about Atlantic Lobster was an experience. The museum is worth a visit.
Driving through Pictou, I was amazed by the old buildings, constructed many years ago, and still standing today. If only the walls could talk, I would listen for ages. At the last minute, I noticed a shop selling shortbread – one of my many weaknesses. I stopped, and bought a few bags, and they are delicious.
We left Pictou and headed back onto the highway, stopping at the museum of industry. It covered everything related to industry in the region.
The mining section of the museum had displays dedicated to mining accidents. I was shocked to see an old “Honour Roll” and the numbers of lives lost, sometimes one or two, and other times ten or more.
The most shocking, was a display, dedicated to the Westray Mine explosion, killing 26 miners. This resulted in legislation – Bill C45, that stands today, holding management accountable for worker safety.
We left the highway, and completed the remaining drive on back roads, arriving at the Walmart in Port Hawkesbury. Today was another repositioning day with some site seeing. We were steadily working our way towards the start of the Cabot Trail.