Our New Home At Last

Sammy checking out the land out front of the house. 

Well after much asking I have been elected to finish off this blog.  There will be updates of photos on facebook in the future as usual.  We have been unpacking endless boxes and looking for endless things that we needed.  There is still a long way to go but in one day we got the house livable to have Josh and Sarah as our first visitors.

Josh, Sarah and Dave

The weather has been very kind to us and we have been enjoying temperatures in the middle to high 20c.  On our way to get Sarah and Josh from the airport we purchased three kayaks, one double and two singles.  We have had tons of fun with these boats and the water has been like glass so easy paddling.  We took all three boats over to the other side of the bay to a beach to get photo's of the house from there and for Josh to swim.

Our house from the other side of the bay. 

We are going to take a paddle around the island as our neighbors tell us it will take 2 hours to do.  Sarah and Josh leave tomorrow morning and we have to be out of the house at 4am, which is going to be interesting as neither Sarah or Josh are morning people.  One plan is for them to be fully dressed, packed and sleep in the car!!!!!
Living in Nova Scotia we have noticed some changes, one is some of the things that we are used to buying we are having trouble getting here.  If anyone comes out soon could they bring me some mint sauce and some colored Ikea napkins please?  We did finally find tonic water the other day, and as the liquor stores are run by the government they seem to have strange hours of opening and closing.  Also, because of this there is no Costco Liquor Store!!!!  Though thankfully at the moment you can get booze on a Sunday in the summer months, guess that is to stop a riot from the Albertan visitors!!!!
The pace of life is slower in Nova Scotia and no one seems to be in a hurry especially when you go to the store.  Sarah and I went and got flowers the other day and to get the soil it was a huge debate from the employees about whether we had paid the right price.  Turns out there was the wrong picture on the stack and after 30 minutes standing in the heat I told them I frankly did not care and started loading the car myself.  They seemed quite taken aback that I would not go back into the store to sort out their mix up.  All in all though the Maritimers are an amazingly friendly bunch, always waving you on when crossing the road and waving at you as you pass along the roads home.  They love to talk and visit with everyone that cross their path.  We have been for drinks at one of our neighbors already and have an invite to a party in August at another.  Once we get settled we will have some over for drinks and nibbles.  They have been checking us out and the first day or so we seemed to have a steady stream of people passing our door.
We got a contractor in to give us a quote on things we want done, one being my studio.  I need heating, flooring and insulation put in the walls and the ceiling.  Also some water which we should have already out there but cannot seem to get the pump working.  After the studio we will frame out the cottage and then move all the kitchen and the flooring from the house over to use in there and start on a new kitchen and living room for the main house.

Outside studio and garage.  Studio to the right & garage to the left.

Studio space

The studio at the moment as you can see has a dirt floor which is good at the moment but in winter we are thinking maybe a little damp.  I seem to have regular visitors of snakes that slither in and out to take a look see.  We googled these to make sure that we don't have to worry, and they are all harmless except for one that can give a nasty bite.  The snakes that are common in Nova Scotia are Garter Snakes, these can bite but only if you try to pick them up.  The Ribbon Snakes which are quite pretty in yellow and brown stripping, these are harmless.  The Green Snake which is very bright green in coloring as the name suggests.  There are also the Ring Neck and the Red Belly snakes.  All of them are about one to two foot long.  There are also some awful bugs around but surprisingly not bad on mosquitos, and we have only needed bug spray when walking in the woods.
Our garden around the house has proven to be amazing, with every kind of plant and tree imaginable.  I even have two peach trees!

Sarah and I bought some lillies the other day and planted, they grow really well out here, a lot taller than in Alberta.  They seem to be in most yards and along the roads.  There are also raspberry bushes which Josh and I have been enjoying and we planted some strawberries.  I have never been able to grow tomatoes so got one plant to put in a pot to give it a try.  We are thinking of putting in a garden next year, but as the ground is incredibly rocky, it seems most of Nova Scotia is granite based, we will have to import soil.  David is relieved as that means he does not have to clear a section.
Though we are missing our family and friends, we are enjoying every day of our new home.  If anyone wants to come and visit they are always welcome though we may put you to work!!!!!