Day 64 - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Day 64 – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – Wednesday 18/7/12

Weather – Fine and Sunny 18C - 25C

Sunrise – 5.46am

Sunset – 8.54pm

Time difference - minus 13 hours ex Sydney

Today we were in the lovely provincial and regional hub of Nova Scotia, Halifax.

As we were not into port until 10.30am, and I was up early, and the weather was quite comfortable on deck I decided to try and do a few laps of walking for the first time in over 6 weeks, since my foot got infected, and ulcerated. It has healed really well, it almost looks normal again now. Until now I have had to have it bandaged when doing any walking, to prevent any friction damage to the new skin, but I wanted to give it a try with just socks before heading out on the port visit today to see how it went. All is good, it has been a long slow process of healing, but the hoofs are in good nick now.

I also wanted to do a hot spa before breakfast to help the back a bit, but they, and the pools were all closed, and netted for 'maintenance'. The ship is having a big clean and sanitisation day today whilst we were in port. The poor old cabin stewards worked all day, without even a break. Our man had to do his full usual morning shift, but instead of having the middle of the day off, he, along with all the others, had to go up to other levels to assist with the big sanitisation.

I am not sure how many floors were done, but I know every cabin on 11 (Aloha) was stripped, cleaned and remediated today. Then he had to come back to his floor and do his evening shift. Apparently this is all part of the procedure required by US Health. We have heard of even more reports of people being ill, and not reporting in to the medical centre as they do not want to be quarantined, and miss ports, so the spread of the gastro continues, hopefully at a reduced rate.

Today we shared a rental car which our lovely Arizonian friends, Pam and Randy had arranged. Randy was our driver, so the left hand drive rules were not a problem for him. We also had fellow Gold Coasters, Phil and Chris along. We went for a lovely drive through the countryside out to the idyllic fishing village of Peggy's Cove.

Set on rocky shores, the lighthouse (allegedly the most photographed lighthouse in the world) and village at Peggy's Cove are a photographers paradise. Despite it's popularity this tiny fishing village is able to keep the same relaxed atmosphere that has made it famous. We had a lovely lunch of fish and chips here, and a gorgeous ginger cake, with ice cream, which we all shared.

We then drove on to the memorial site for the Swissair plane crash that occurred not far off the coast of Peggy's Cove in the mid 90's. Another drive through glorious countryside back to Halifax, where we then strolled along the boardwalk. A Tall Ships event is underway, or just concluding, and there is a fine array of stunning tall ships through the harbour area. We took the opportunity to visit the Maritime Museum, where there is a small, but interesting section on the Titanic memorabilia.

The remainder of the day was taken up by browsing through the many shops and stalls on the boardwalk, until it was time to head 'home'. A lovely day, and so warm, compared to what we have had since Dover, it was soooooo good to see the sun again.

A quiet dinner in the dining room, and and early to cabin night for us tonight, a little tuckered out we are :)

We left the berth on time at 8pm tonight, and set courses around Georges Island, then proceeded out of the harbour. After the pilot jumped off we followed the traffic separation scheme in the south bound lane, and set a south-westerly course towards New York. At 1.20am tomorrow morning we will pass the southern tip of Nova Scotia on our starboard side 50 miles off.