Month: November 2023

Rolling into Yarmouth, we made a pitstop at the delightful natural harbour of Lockeport, which sits on an island, connected to the mainland by a road. Picture this: a fishing village buzzing with anticipation as it readies for the upcoming lobster season, set to open its crustaceous curtains in just a couple of weeks. We couldn’t help but be amused by the spectacle of married couples meticulously accessorizing their boats with lobster cages, all while time played the role of a speedy sprinter.

In the midst of this pre-season hustle, we struck up a chat with a charming couple who generously shared the nitty-gritty details of the lobster-prep extravaganza. Time, it seemed, was in a frenzy, and business was kicking into high gear.

As we strolled through the village, a hidden gem revealed itself — a gorgeous sandy beach stretching for a couple of kilometres – it should be nice to relax here in the summer when the lobster season ends. Who knew lobster season prep could be such a seaside spectacle?

These places feel like serendipitous gifts, offering the joy of unexpected discoveries. Once again, after unfolding our bicycles, we decided to cycle to Liverpool and explore what it had to offer. As we approached Liverpool, we nearly passed by the Garden Center, a store that didn’t particularly pique our interest at the moment. However, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a peculiar group sculpture depicting people engaging with a raven. Intrigued, we left our bicycles and ventured to explore other sculptures amidst the dried flower pots.

While Garden Centers typically host various garden sculptures, what we encountered here was something entirely different — deeply personal and artistic. We then noticed the entrance to the Sculpture Garden, where a woman was busy clearing away old leaves. Upon inquiry about the creator and the timeline, she informed us that the owner of the center initiated this endeavor 15 years ago and continues to craft these sculptures. Little did we know what awaited us beyond the garden gates.

I won’t attempt to describe the sculptures; instead, I’ll convey my sheer delight and astonishment at what I witnessed. With an abundance of photographs capturing the essence, not everything can be showcased, and the three-dimensionality of the sculptures demands a unique presentation format. I believe I’ve managed to convey the expressionism of the sculptures and the originality of the cement-making technique.

Having strolled through the sculpture garden for over an hour (time seemed to slip away), we returned to the Garden Center, where we unexpectedly encountered the actual creator behind it all, standing behind the cash register. Ivan, Ivan Higgins — he introduced himself. Yes, it all started with garden pots, and then the idea struck: why not create sculptures for the garden? We had a delightful conversation and snapped a few photos together for memory and the blog. I hope you enjoy the pictures, or better yet, consider visiting in person.

Our forced stay in Lunenburg brings new meetings and discoveries every day. We are glad that our project is supported both by many organizations in the town and in personal contact with town residents and sailors. We are grateful to the corporation Build New Scotia for providing free docking in the Zwicker Wharf Marina, thanks to Marina Operator Ian for taking care of us and for assistance in sponsorship for our project. Thanks to the President of Adams and Knickle Ltd Jane Ritcey for providing Wi-Fi and refreshments, Greg Trowser from Luna Sea Solutions for warm conversations about our project and Walter Flower for finding a diesel heater for us.
Thanks to Mike (Black Dragon) for the pleasant time spent together and interest in our project and thanks to Colin (Fruition) for his keen interest in our project, I hope that he will be able to find for his yacht a CTD measuring system. Thanks to mechanic Louis for his dedication to fixing our engine, I hope we don’t have any more problems. Thanks to Mike from Ironbound Rigging for advice on rigging and donated steel wire. Thanks to Kathleen from Ocean Gear for helping to purchase an exhaust pipe for the diesel heater. Thank you, Lunenburg, for warmly welcoming us these 12 days!