Halifax Citadel

 

Our trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia included a tour of the Citadel which sits on a hilltop overlooking the city.

[From the brochure]

"First constructed on the shores of the harbour in 1749 as a strategic base for the Royal British Navy, Halifax has been home to four Citadels, all constructed on the high ground above the original town plot. 

 

The first three forts were built of earth and logs and served through the Seven Years War, the American Revolution, Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, but after 1815, British authorities decided the the old wooden forts defending Canada's strategic strong points, including the Citadel, should be replaced by more powerful and permanent works of stone.

Construction of a new Citadel began in 1828 and continued until 1856.

Thought the Citadel was never attacked, as a military deterrent, it was a success.

In 1867, British North America became the Dominion of Canada, but the continuing importance of Halifax as a port for the Royal Navy saw British troops remain here until 1906.  After that the Citadel was occupied by the Canadian military and remained active through World Wars until 1951, when it was transferred from the Department of National Defence to Parks Canada."

The re-enactors were dressed as though it was 1869.  Most were students doing internships from the local college. Our guide, seen above dressed in a kilt, was from England, attending school in Halifax.  He was tailed during his tour by an instructor grading him.  I asked countless questions as I'm wont to do, and he answered them very well.

Plant ID Needed

 I believe this is a weed but maybe not.  Anyone recognize it?

What about this?

This is not!

A Visit

Friends from Maryland came to visit on Monday afternoon and stayed until Wednesday morning. We haven't seen them since moving to NH in 2020.

Fran and Ray

They got to experience the Memorial Day program here in town including the hot dog lunch.  We then took then to VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science) to see the turtles, raptors, owls, and other birds unable to survive in the wild after being injured. Sorry no photos of those, but there's a wonderful canopy walkway there that starts on the ridge, so no climbing to get to it, and heads into the trees as the land falls away below your feet.

Eventually we were 40 feet in the air. There's a web to experience and we designated Dan to climb in.  No coaxing required.

Getting out was trickier than getting in.

The walkway then leads to a tree house - 100 steps up! Fran opted out.

The view of the Quechee River was stunning.

After a thirst stop outside the entrance gate, we headed east and took a walk onto the bridge over the Quechee River Gorge.  We could hear these falls from the treehouse.

Then it was on to Lebanon for dinner at the Three Tomatoes Restaurant.

A wonderful day was had by all.

Look at These Faces in the Garden

 

One thing that surprised me about gardening here in NH, was how long pansies live.  In MD, pansies don't survive the summers.  Here in NH I can move pansies to the garden and they live all summer and come back each spring.  I think some of them are hybridizing if that's possible, because there are some mixtures that weren't there last year.

They are a delight!