After a day at sea from Quebec we berthed in the very small port of Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. During WW II Sydney harbour was closer to Europe than Halifax and became a major gathering point for the trans-Atlantic convoys bringing supplies to Britain. We have a lot to thank Sydney and its seamen for (many of which never returned).
Sydney harbour today has been dredged deep enough in the last couple of years to allow the biggest of cruise ships to enter and is a modern and very welcoming port of call. It also boasts the worlds largest violin! (between the ship and terminal building)
St George’s Church is Sydney’s oldest building (1785) and, apart from being visited by the late Queen Mother, …..
……. it boasts a Chippendale chair given in 1800 by, the then Vice Admiral Nelson. It was chair No13 in the boardroom of HMS Victory.
The residential area of Sydney is very attractive with its tree lined roads and clapperboard houses.
Some of the older buildings have been turned over to museums ….
…. showing life in Canada in the 1800’s. Not so different to Britain really.
Some of the cellars have restricted headroom! (James was on his knees!)
The Joste House museum which, among other lovely things, houses a remarkable collection of photos of all the cruise ships that have visited Sydney in the past.
More idyllic tree-lined streets and wooden houses …..
The town used to be busy making steel but what’s left is now displayed as an art form.
Being the last port of call on our itinerary, we left Sydney on Saturday evening with a very well attended “Great British Sail- Away” party on the rear deck.
This is our “little group of cruise friends” which have gelled so well and seem to meet at every opportunity there is:- Bill, Paul, Jill, Judy, Brian, James, Andrew and (front row) Doug, Sandra and Chris.
Doug with Judy ……
….. and the very talented Sammy (singer/dancer with the Headliners) ……
….. and finally – sadly leaving North America (for the time being).
We now have five sea days ahead of us as we cross the Atlantic before arriving in Southampton on Friday. This has been a fantastic experience and stupendous cruise so far – they’ll have to drag us off the ship on Friday!
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