Today we drove to Sydney. Our last day on Cape Breton Island. Sydney is home to the world’s largest fiddle. Reason enough to go! 😊 It was created in 2004 by local artist, Cyril Hearn who was asked to design a monument to the music of the area – Celtic. (by the way, you can pronounce it either way: Seltic or Keltic)
It’s made of steel and located at the Port of Sydney. It’s 60’ tall, weighs 10 tons and is officially named (in Gaelic) Fidheal Mhor A’ Ceilidh or Big Fiddle of the Ceilidh (Kay-lee which means ‘visit’). It plays music! A recording of a medley composed by local musician Kinnon Beaton and plays a march, a stratespey and a reel.
He sure looks like a tourist!
Cruise ships dock at this harbor and disembark at the fiddle
We walked around the historic part of the town . . . .
An old church converted to a small museum. I can’t remember the year – maybe late 1700’s?
This one I know because we took a picture of the sign out front.
I don’t think they hold services here anymore
All three of these churches are with in 2 blocks of each other.
This one is being utilized.
We just thought this house looked neat. : )
This is no longer a bank, it’s now a historical association
and the boardwalk.
This monument is to remember the lives of those who worked and died during WWII. There were a lot of supply ships here that were targeted by submarines. Many died. Some were rescued from the icey waters.
They actually had these ‘rescue boats’ on board the ships
It was a bit cool and quite windy
Then we went to Petersville Park. A provincial (state) park nearby. The park used to be the estate of the McClellan family (the senator who requested the Louisbourg Fortress become a National Historic place).
Yes. I asked him to climb up for the picture.
This dragonfly was on the fence post.
It’s not the prettiest one I’ve ever seen, but still incredible to look at up close!
God is amazing!
This used to be the driveway.
The next picture requires a bit of explanation. In my family, we play a game called “Chase the Ace”. It was made up and taught to us by one of my grandmother’s brothers. These signs are all over Nova Scotia and I finally was in a position to take a picture because I knew my mom would get a kick out of it. Their play is more like a lottery-fundraiser. At times there seems to be quite a bit of money involved. We saw one jackpot over $26,000!
Here are the rules for our game if you’re interested:
You’ll need:
1 deck of playing cards – jokers removed
4 of something for each player (buttons, M&Ms, whatever – we prefer edible things. : )
Aces are low. Kings are high.
Deal 1 card to each person
The player to the left of the dealer starts. Determine whether you want to keep your card or trade with the person on your left. The only time the person on your left can refuse to trade is if they have a King.
If you trade your card and end up with one higher than the one given to you, you don’t want to trade again (you might end up with a lower one), so you can just say “I’m good.” or something to that effect.
This goes on around the table until you reach the dealer. The dealer can either keep the card he ended up with, or take the top card on the undealt deck – sight unseen.
The players all show their cards. Lowest card(s) loose a ‘marker’ (in other words eat an M&M).
The deck is then passed to the next person to shuffle and deal.
Play continues until a person looses all their markers. They are allowed to play “in poverty” until they loose again. (People in poverty have been known to win!)
Once a player is out, the game continues without them until only one remains – The Winner!
This game is most fun when there are a number of people around the table – at least 6. But can be played with as few as 4.
Have Fun!