updates, including Covid-19

        I haven't been active on my blog for a while, my day job has been too demanding. Now , more than ever , we are dealing with the most serious public health crisis since the 1918 pandemic flu. Our health care system, overstressed at the best of times, has had to cope with this. As of today, we have about 120 cases and zero deaths. This is to be contrasted with New York City, which today has had 38000 cases and nearly 800 deaths. In our system, as a physician, unless you are a dermatologist or ophthalmologist, you will never be rich. If you are a pediatrician, rural generalist of psychiatrist, you could make more money driving a truck. The endless waits for investigations and specialist appointments, drive us to distraction. Americans experiencing this ( at least the ones with decent insurance) could well be thinking of another rebellion.  But , there is a bright side to this. We have a functioning public health system that has identified cases, traced contacts, and limited the spread. If you end up in the ICU it won't cost you a cent.
       But there is a price. Currently all Nova Scotia borders are closed to all except essential services . You cannot come here by boat. Schools are closed. Most stores are closed. All provincial and municipal parks and beaches are closed. You cannot meet in groups bigger than 5, and even this is discouraged. You are encouraged not to leave your home except for groceries and medical appointments. We have no idea when this will be lifted, but I don't think it will be before July. You should review your plans.
      In other news nearer to home, in May 2019. a fire broke out in the kitchen of the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club. The fire department extinguished it within 15 minutes, and there was no visible damage to the building. But, at the end of the day, there was half a million dollars worth of smoke damage. This was devastating to the club, but it was rectified by the beginning of this month, only to be closed due to the epidemic a week later. I will try and keep you informed
      On a brighter note, I have been trying to finish the third edition of my book, and I think it will be available come the fall, I will post details later

Bridgewater

I haven't been right up the Lahave river  for many years, but I did it this year. There is now a very pleasant marina just north of the commercial dock.  Frank Bemben is the manager , you can reach him at 902 818 7988. There is a pumpout that works, water, electricity and internet for the overnight price of $45 + tax. A large grocery store and the liquor commission is a 10 minute walk to the north. You at almost immune to bad weather here. In the unlike event there is no berth, there is plenty of room to anchor just north of the marina. You could be troubled by the wakes of small power boats, the marina is better for this.The town has put out a floating dock just below the first bridge If you draw 6 feet or less , and its not dead low water on a big tide, you should be able to get there be keeping just to port of the middle of the channel going up. It would be quite noisy and I'm not sure about staying overnight

Port Medway

The village of Port Medway ( on the western side of the harbor) has been undergoing somewhat of a renaissance. About six hundred yards from the wharf, there is a new establishment, The Port Grocer. There is a small restaurant and they have live music on Friday nights. It is very pleasant. Port Medway itself is a very pretty harbor, and its a handy stop, especially beating to windward form Lahave or Lunenburg. I plan to stop there more often. bear in mind that outside the main channels, there are hundreds of unmarked rocks, and the survey dates from 1860

Northeast Point, Cape Sable Island

The little anchorage next to the causeway has been filling in a bit with sand. It is still usable, but to enter keep close to the causeway. If you do anchor here and want a decent meal, I recommend Captain Kats. Walk north on the causeway to the traffic lights ( it might be easier to take your dinghy to the mainland side) turn left and it is right there. This is the best seafood restaurant in western Nova Scotia

how to get books

due to turmoil in my day job, I haven't posted much lately, I will try harder.
The "book" is available on CD or thumb drive
I fyou want one, please send a cheque for $65 US( if outside Canada) or $65Canadian, if in this country. Outside North America, the equivalent of $65US in any convertible currency is fine.
I will need your mailing address.
Like many rural residents in this country, I don't have a fast internet connection and I can't do paypal or dropbox for this reason.
Let me know if you would prefer a CD or thumb drive, as though I am not much into computers, I see that the new ones don't have CD drives in many of them
Canada Post have changed my mailing address, it is now
3759 highway 3
RR#1
Glenwood
B0W1W0
Nova Scotia , Canada

Willy Krauch

Willy's which recently close because of a lack of a successor in this family owned business, has re-opened. It has be taken over by Comeau Seafood, the second biggest fish processor in the province, and as the guy who owns Comeau likes the products ( which is why he bought it), it is likely to remain a going concern

Mahone Bay

After a long absence, visited Deep Cove, There are now a number of moorings and there is more development. However, it is still a nice anchorage and there is plenty of space between the moorings, There is about  15 feet at low water.

South Shore Marine
The restaurant is closed again, I'm not sure if it will be re-opened. This is one of the few places to get fuel, and because of the number of boats, it is busy. At peak times you may have to wait in line