A Weekend 6 Yrs in the Making

Finally the Antigonish Highland Games didn't fall on my daughters birthday party weekend.  It took 6 yrs but the weekend is finally upon us.  We couldn't get the campsite right in downtown Antigonish as it's booked years ahead because of the games.  The closest one we were able to find was Hyclass Ocean Campground and was about 1/2 drive from downtown.

We arrived around supper time on Friday as we wanted to attend the opening ceremonies concert.  I was going by memory to find the grounds that the games were being held.  Antigonish is not very big and do you think I could find it.  I thought it was beside the Mall, but I remembered the next day that it was the St. F.X. dorms that were next to the mall.  We used to stay in the dorm during the games.  What do you expect after 25 yrs of not going.  We eventually found the grounds.  Everything was different.  The concert used to be facing the stands but now it was facing diagonally so not thinking to bring chairs, we had to sit on the ground.  We only watched about an hour or so and then headed back to the campground.

We had a pull through site but was squished, no room for error.  We had a nice view, beach was nice and my daughter found yet another great playground.

Then next day, Saturday, we had planned on going in early to Antigonish to see the parade and do the scavenger hunt before the pipe bands in the afternoon.  The parade lasted about an hour and it started with a little bit of showers (we expected 'some' rain on Saturday).  My husband part way through decided to go to the local store to buy some umbrellas as again, never thought to come prepared.  By the end of the parade it was raining, not misty.  We figured the scavenger hunt would be canceled.  We decided to eat at a local restaurant while we decided if we were going to stay for the afternoon competitions.  Loved the choice of restaurant, very busy, very good food.

We decided not to do the games that afternoon as the rain was not letting up and getting heavier.  We headed back to the campground and since it rained for the next 12 hours, we were stuck in the camper.  My daughter got caught up on the Harry Potter movies she just started watching in the last month, so she can go to the final installment with Mommy and Daddy in a couple of weeks.

Next day, back to the games. It was expected to be warm and sunny and it sure was.  I was particularly happy it was nice today since these were the competitions I really wanted to see.  I was hoping to reunite with some old band buddies that I hadn't seen anywhere from 15-25 years.  I saw more than expected.  It was really nice to see some of the old buddies again.  I felt it was a successful weekend because of that as that is why I've been trying to get to the games for the past 6 yrs since moving home.

Another treat was seeing my old band.  Well, kinda sorta, if you don't count that they changed their name, sponsorship, tartan and recruited a whole new generation of musicians (there were some of my old members still with the band).  This is what I've been waiting to hear all weekend.  Best band on the east coast!

78th Fraser Highlanders - Citadel Hill....Grade 1 winners of the day!

This piper is a former student of mine.  She is now the age that I was when I taught her many, many, many years ago.

Massed Bands at the Highland Games.  I wonder how many switched instruments or had a beer or two before playing;-)

Headed back to the campground after a fun filled day.  My only regret is that we didn't get to spend any time at the campground.  It was beautiful and had a lot of amenities.  Maybe we can do it again when the Highland Games are not in the mix.  Sunset at Hyclass.....

No Such Place as Margaree

This weeks adventure takes us to Dunvegan, Cape Breton at the MacLeod's Beach Campsite.  It was about a 2 hour drive.  As my daughter is not the best traveler, as in 'are we there yet?', she doesn't use that term.  She says, 'how many more MINUTES'.  She knows how her Dad 'loves' hearing this every few minutes, she now plays a game (between her and I).  She will say, what number is showing on the dice (hanging from the rear view mirror) and I will say about 45!

We also used our GPS on this trip.  Wicked awesome toy!  She actually knew where we were going.  It didn't help that I input the wrong address so we arrived at our destination 15 km early.  Sweet!

After traveling along curvy and dirt roads, when we made that final right hand turn, it was like arriving in Paradise.

We weren't able to get a pull-through so this was the real test.  It took several tries of backing in but eventually got it.  What was enjoyable was as the weekend progressed and new campers arrived, they had as much trouble parking as we did, so we felt much more at ease that it's not just us.....and it was quite entertaining;-)

As my husband continued to set up, my daughter and I went on our first adventure to get familiar with the campsite.  We first checked out the store to see what kind of candy they sold (she's kind of catching on to the candy store thing).  We walked by the playground and their were no swings, or anything, just the frame and slides.  But that was okay, everything was set up the next day with teeter-totters and the works.  We ventured down to the beach.  I was in awe at the site.  So beautiful and peaceful.  We were the only ones at the beach at this time (everyone seemed to arrive the next day).  As it was the ocean and not a heated pool, we only dipped our toes in it, brrrrrr!

We decided to take a little drive to the local Co-Op to see what they had to offer.  We knew that this campsite was not going to hold Canada Day events and we wanted to celebrate in some way.  We saw the outside billboard at the Co-Op and we noticed some kiddie events being held the next day, although it said 2010.  We hoped it was an error and thank goodness it was.  My daughter found the perfect size shopping cart and did a little shopping with the locals.

After asking for directions to the kiddies Canada Day event from several different people, we found it.  What we also discovered and was confirmed throughout our weekend is that there really is no Margaree and if so we couldn't find it.  What we did find was; Margaree Center, Margaree Valley, Margaree Forks, Margaree Harbour, SW Margaree, ESSW Margaree (if that means East South South West, then it's a little overkill), WSSW Margaree, Upper Margaree, NE Margaree and East Margaree!!!!  You try finding your way around.....now I understand why they call it the 'Margarees'. What they should call it is, 'The Margarees without the Margaree'.

While celebrating Canada Day with the local kids, my daughter made a new friend, which is usually not a problem for her.  We met a lady who also told us where to find the evening fireworks and a parade w/kiddie games the following day.  We found both, so were very excited to have plenty of activities for my daughter since the campsite, IMO, is more geared to adults (other than the beach swimming) because there were no planned kid activities.  She was thrown a ton of candy during the parade and also got a free cookie coupon.

I also ran in to 3 former co-workers that I hadn't seen in years.  I knew they lived on 'this' side and now I know where, one of the Margarees!

We did some more driving around and found some beautiful sites, again in one of the Margarees.

Our 3rd day at the campsite we were a little chilled so hubby and I were wearing jeans and a jacket.  We saw tons of people heading to the beach so we decided to go.  My daughter in her bikini and us dressed for winter.  When we started approaching the beach it started getting really hot.  I rolled up my jeans and we took off our jackets so we didn't look too foreign on the beach.  It was HOT.  Spent a couple of hours on the beach.  I counted between 80-100 people now on the beach. My daughter made another new friend and they played in the water as I laid on the beach.  Later on, the new friend came over and we had smores.  That evening I looked a little red.  Very red in fact, and unfortunately had the 'sunglass' burn.  Yup, real attractive.  At least I lathered up my daughter so she wasn't burned like I was.  Imagine if I had a bathing suit on, I wouldn't have the farmers tan going.....I mean farmers burn!

Next day we packed up and headed to the Dancing Goat for lunch on the way home.  I had heard so many people talking about it over the years, I couldn't pass it up.  Nice place with fancy sandwiches soups and salads and my daughter was able to cash in her free cookie ticket that she got during the parade.

 

All in all another successful camping weekend.  Heading to the Antigonish Highland Games next weekend.  That should be a totally different experience!