Friday morning (9-2-3) was blustery at the Seascape Cottages near Tracadie. We slept in. It was only 150 miles back to Halifax and our itinerary was light.

Friday morning (9-2-3) was blustery at the Seascape Cottages near Tracadie. We slept in. It was only 150 miles back to Halifax and our itinerary was light. Checkout time was 11:00 am and we had no desire to leave until then.

We spent the morning combing the beaches nearby.

We spent the morning combing the beaches nearby.

The estuary opened into the ocean less than a mile from the estuary and the tide was ripping out.

The inlet opened into the ocean less than a mile from the estuary and the tide was ripping out.

We walked to  the end of the beach near the inlet and then back to the estuary. This is the view of our cottage from the estuary. We were in the third from the left. The others were vacant. It was a peaceful and rejuvenating visit.

We walked to the end of the beach near the inlet and then back to the estuary. This is the view of our cottage. We were in the third from the left. This is a bird watcher’s paradise. The relaxing atmosphere made it hard to motivate and head back to Halifax.

The Citadel was situated atop the highest hill in Halifax. It loomed above our hotel and we saved touring for last.

The Citadel is situated atop the highest hill in Halifax. It loomed above our hotel and we saved touring the fortress for last. This was the British Navy’s fourth Citadel to be built on this hill and took 28 years to complete. It has been active since 1856.

The Halifax Citadel is massive. We took a tour with a guide dressed in the uniform style of troops that lived here in 1869.

The Halifax Citadel is massive. We took a tour with a guide dressed in the uniform style of troops that lived here in 1869.

The report of the 50 caliber black powder and ball rifle echoed off the stone walls and got everybody's attention.

The report of the 50 caliber black powder and ball rifle echoed off the stone walls and got everybody’s attention.The soldier quipped, “I’ve been firing daily at the same door for years and have yet to hit it.”

Karen can't resist posing with a man in uniform.

Karen can’t resist posing with a man in uniform.

It began to rain after our tour and we decided to save exploring this massive complex for another day.

It began to rain after our tour and we decided to save exploring this massive complex for another day.

Governor Cornwallis granted the first liquor license in Nova Scotia to John Shippey in 1749. He named the bar "The Spread Eagle" but locals tagged it "The Split Crow" and the name stuck. We ate our last dinner at the Split Crow and listened to live music.

Governor Cornwallis granted the first liquor license in Nova Scotia to John Shippey in 1749. He named his bar “The Spread Eagle” but locals tagged it “The Split Crow” and the nickname stuck. We ate our last dinner at the Split Crow and listened to live music. Kudos to our bartender Adrian.

Mariners and travelers could count on getting hearty meals and hefty mugs of grog at the Split Crow. Traditional music was played, ladies entertained, politics were argued and of course fights broke out. The first murder charge in Nova Scotia was came from one of those fights. Karen is posing with a Split Crow employee. The Split Crow culture lives on.

Mariners and travelers could count on getting hearty meals and hefty mugs of grog at the Split Crow. Traditional music was played, ladies entertained, politics were argued and of course fights broke out. The first murder charge in Nova Scotia came from one of those fights. Karen is posing with a Split Crow employee. The Split Crow culture lives on. We had a great time in Nova Scotia and highly recommend visiting Canada’s “New Scotland!”