Should have been a clue!
Today we were able to make a port stop in Point Breton ( Louisbourg Fortress)
Its a very small town in the Islands but at one time is was very important to the French. The exporting of the area’s cod provided France with most of its fish for eating. The fortress ( more a fortified settlement than strictly a military defense) was French, then US militia,then given back to France and then back to Britain…. Quite the jumble of owners. It was torn down completely to the ground by the British and in 197osomething, the Canadian Government decided to restore it exactly as it was in its peak era 1744…its a remarkable renovation of only about 5% of the full size of the area. Its a success story that helped bring the Canadian economy back to life, as out of work coal miners and other workers in the 70s when there was 25%unemployment in the area, were retrained as masons and their job was to restore and rebuild the stone fortress. 
Walking towards the King’s Garisson passing the guard house
One side of the Garrison
The guard house
Inside the garrison. The wall held cannons pointing to the sea. ( the fort was totally unguarded from the back… that proved to be a big mistake.
A corral for the governor’s sheep. The interesting part of this restoration is that the National Park went to Versailles and found over 700 pages of plans, inventories and excellent sources of documentation to help them recreate the 1744 fortress. The Governor’s rooms in the Garrison were furnished with as close to match as could be found. The following are a few pictures of what we saw:
This was a cloudy overcast morning and you can see exactly how much light was in each room. I would die here from no sun in the fall and winter!
Inside the garrison was the chapel, the only place women were allowed in. In the out buildings women were fine but not in the Garrison. 
The beauty of this park is the complete reenactment. These people are completely in character and don’t break that much. They are all very well versed in what their character would do and say in 1744-45. Even asking them a modern day ?they will put it into the context of 1745
One of the fortress gates 
One of the buildings has been dedicated to showing the First Nation and its presence in early settlement. This young man was a wonderful basket weaver and I enjoyed talking with him about his craft. 
Walking towards the King’s Garisson passing the guard house
One side of the Garrison
The guard house
Inside the garrison. The wall held cannons pointing to the sea. ( the fort was totally unguarded from the back… that proved to be a big mistake.
A corral for the governor’s sheep. The interesting part of this restoration is that the National Park went to Versailles and found over 700 pages of plans, inventories and excellent sources of documentation to help them recreate the 1744 fortress. The Governor’s rooms in the Garrison were furnished with as close to match as could be found. The following are a few pictures of what we saw:
This was a cloudy overcast morning and you can see exactly how much light was in each room. I would die here from no sun in the fall and winter!
Inside the garrison was the chapel, the only place women were allowed in. In the out buildings women were fine but not in the Garrison. 
The beauty of this park is the complete reenactment. These people are completely in character and don’t break that much. They are all very well versed in what their character would do and say in 1744-45. Even asking them a modern day ?they will put it into the context of 1745
One of the fortress gates 
By the middle of the tour the grey skies had decided to break open and start raining on us.. so now we had rain,cold,wind .. it’s amazing how fast my interest in touring is gone when the weather turns..
And here we have the first sighting of penguin grouping behavior ( and we’re not even in Antarctica yet😂)
Waiting for their tender to return to their ship.Back on board we discover a new puzzle has been started. Seems a worldwide hobby is putting jigsaw puzzles together.. this one is 5000 pieces and was put together by another group of passengers on a Antarctic cruise in February over a 7 day period- looks like the gauntlet has been thrown by our passengers. I walk by the table daily so am taking a pictorial diary of the progress
With that, I’m heading to a warm shower and a nap.. vacations are hard work.
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