Saturday 19 July 2014

Baddeck

Bras d'Or - Baddeck

Baddeck is the capital of the Bras d'Or lakes with a population of 1,000, it is the only place in the lakes to get provisions, fuel and repair facilities.
It is probably he premier destination for most summer visitors to the island, it was certainly busy even when we were there. A small friendly town, stuck in the 19th century, it does have all the modern amenities, shops, supermarkets, restaurants (i had an amazing lobster in one of them) and cafes.
It is probably best known as the summer retreat of that famous humanitarian and inventor Alexander Graham Bell. In fact the town's top attraction is his massive estate on the north shore and a museum. A National historic site, it houses the largest collection of photographs , artifacts and documents about the life and times of Alexander Graham bell.There are early telephones and several of his later inventions, including a copy of his HD-4 Hydrofoil
Baddeck harbour


Baddeck from the end of the wharf where we were moored



On the way down the Great Bras d'Or, one of the lighthouses on the west shore. There is another route out to the north down the Little Bras d'Or, however, the government have shut the road bridge on this due to hazardous tidal runs and the currents.




Approaching the Seal Island road bridge, this one is high enough (clearnace 119 feet) for traffic to pass under it and does not lift.










Leaving the bridge and about to exit the Great Bras d'Or into the Cabot Strait............next stop Newfoundland. This is Kelly's Cove, a safe harbour when wind and tide in confusion and make the exit extremely dangerous, the tidal race can run at 9 knots and the wind can lift the seas to 6 or 8 feet............not fun in such a narrow strait, with shoals to the west. 


Last lighthouse on the Cape Breton northern shore







We are now going on an overnight to Beach Point on the west coast of Newfoudland in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

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