Mayberry North

Andy Griffith died....but Mayberry is not dead.  It exists in a small town in Nova Scotia.  After Andy's recent death the paper and the computer have been full of  scenes from the Mayberry shows from days of yore.  Many people comment that they miss the good old days of sitting on the porch, fishing with your buddy and your son, homemade pies, open windows with a fresh breeze, and knowing everyone... and everyone's business in town.  It occurred to me that I spend my summer in a place very similar to Mayberry. 

Canada Day was Sunday...and Monday (the Federal holiday).   I love this week in Canada!  First, I get to witness and participate in  Canada Day festivities and then a couple of days later I get to celebrate the 4th of July.  The week is full of fireworks, patriotism, parades, pot luck suppers and flag flying.  It would be hard not to get caught up in the celebrations!

On Canada Day I went to Pugwash for the parade and the Gathering of the Clans.  This was my first year to attend but it won't be my last.  The parade was a delight.  There were five, count them...5, Pipe Bands!  There were antique cars, floats, fire trucks, tractors and silly cars and horse drawn carriages.  I am sure the population of Pugwash doubled that day.  You really must see, so here is a little photo journey for you! 



Happy Canada Day!



Pipe Band from Dartmouth...helping make my day!

See?  Mayberry North!  I love the church in the background,.

It was a beautiful day for a sail, if you aren't into piping, highland games and dancing.

I wonder if Ontario Sailor heard this young piper playing from the shore... how perfect is this???!!!

Every time we saw something new I was taken by how scenic and iconic the entire day was!  The carnival atmosphere, the vendors selling hot dogs and kettle corn, the kids running around with hard earned stuffed animals, families out for a day of fun, music in the air and it was an absolutely perfect day weather wise.  There were bagpipers playing in competitions around the picturesque Cyrus Eaton house.  Each corner had a judge and a piper playing his or her best.  It was nothing short of a perfect setting for the competition.  I had no idea this kind of stuff happened anywhere other than movies and my imagination. 

He is being graded by the lady sitting at the table while the little boys in the window look out curiously

The view a lone would be something to toot about!



 There was also a highland games competition or in other words, large-men-in-kilts-throwing-heavy-things competition.  Yes, there was a lot of tartan and wool in Pugwash for Canada Day.  The games defy gravity and logic if you ask me!

Glad he remembered to wear those shorts!

 After we celebrated Canada Day for two days it was time to celebrate the 4th of July.  There are enough Americans here to coordinate a golf scramble and a pot luck supper for the day.  And not to be outdone by the Canadian holiday we will celebrate for two days as well!  Fireworks and BBQ tonight after the day of celebrating yesterday. 

I would say both countries have been honored and celebrated in style.  I think Andy would have liked it.

Gratuitous sunset shot!  Because you can never have too many sunsets.