June, 2007 -

October, 2006 - All the workers are gone and only a bit of touch up painting still to do. Every day brings another layer of construction dust, but the house has a nice flow and things are finding their place. Rugs come next, followed by curtains. Art will be last. I'm waiting as long as possible to puncture the perfect virgin walls.

From top to bottom: Master Bath, Kitchen, Living Room, Sitting Room

September, 2006

From top to bottom:Mudroom, Living Room, Sitting Room, Front Deck landscaping

Please notice our makeshift antenna. It's oh, so West Virginia.

May, 2006

Below: Master bath tile in progress and the living/dining area.

December, 2005

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

July, 2005

Jonathan Muise handles demolition in the "poolroom,"

In preparation for the new french doors and sundeck.

Norman McNeil gets ankle-deep in cement on the back porch.

Then Barry McDonald does his balancing act on the finish.

Just in time to dig the big hole for the new cistern.

And bury it all in preparation for the new driveway.

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Photos below are from our April, 2005 visit.

The house is rock-solid but very out of style. It is a magazine-worthy makeover. With some creative space planning and renovation, it will be a real diamond.

In the process we will make substantial contributions to the local economy and get on first name basis with the guys at the local hardware and home centers. We hope to have Cape Collins ready for visitors the summer of 2006.

Although the winters might not be your cup of tea, autumn color in the mountains and along the Cabot Trail of Cape Breton is breathtaking. There is a Celtic Music Festival in October that draws musicians and music lovers from all parts. Should you decide to visit the island this fall, please give us a shout. Chances are I will be there overseeing the construction and nesting.

If the wind is right, we can anchor Ginger in the curve of the cape. If it’s not, our neighbors down the road have graciously offered their coves and docks for our use. (These spots would also serve as suitable anchorages should our sailing friends want to drop the hook and visit.) For any maintenance and winter haul out, Henry Fuller and his Baddeck Boatyard are just a few hours’ sail up the Bras d’Or. Henry has been quite an ambassador for the area. He has lived on Cape Breton and sailed the surrounding waters since the 1970s, and is a worthy source of local knowledge. His welcoming attitude is the rule and not the exception. From our new neighbors, to the folks at the general store and the local restaurant, we have been warmly received on Cape Breton. Between our real estate agent, Sherry McLeod, our attorney, Ivo Winter, and our building inspector, Raymond Johnstone, we have been “hooked up” with all the essentials. With a few phone calls we had a qualified local contractor, someone to clean the house in advance of our arrival, and a new-to-us truck ready for delivery.