BAILEY HOUSE NOVA SCOTIA

Fourteen years ago, my former wife and I were seated at Virgilio’s bar. Next to us was a lovely lady. We started talking. Her name Suzan Hebditch. From Toronto.

Suzan mentioned the next day was her 50th birthday. We invited her to dinner the next evening to celebrate. We had an enjoyable time at Pisces.

Suzan had and still visits Key West once a year. Occasionally, she will e-mail…..Wanna have dinner? Every third or fourth year.

This was to be my year. She remembered me. We had dinner last night at the Hot Tin Roof. Prior to dinner, we stopped at the Chart Room. Suzan had never been there.

When we first met, Suzan was the CEO of the lawyers’ library system in Canada. The law libraries are owned by the bar and not the state as here in the U.S. A big job.

A law librarian no more. She is now the owner of a bed and breakfast in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Bailey House Bed and Breakfast. Her life.

A stay at The Bailey House is a uniquely Canadian experience. The facility sits on the ocean. Thirty foot tides coming in. Gardens in the back. Special. Different. Beautiful. Planned and planted by Suzan.

The property consists of the main house and a coach house. The coach house is comparable to a Key West mother in law’s abode.

There is history to the place. Built in 1770 by John Easson. He sold it to Joseph Totten in 1783. Totten was a bit of a scoundrel from an American perspective. A Tory. Described by Canadians as a refugee loyalist. He fled Westchester County. He left in the dead of night with his wife, six children and four slaves.

The small community where the now Bailey House is located was and still is known as Annapolis Royal. Totten became a prominent figure. Bailey House once guested Prince Edward. The Prince was the father of Queen Victoria.

Suzan has revamped the property. Pictures show a lovely place to spend a few days. Suzan has a reputation for being an outstanding cook. Pictures reflect the same, also.

Take a look at The Bailey House website. www.baileyhouse.ca. E-mail info@baileyhouse.ca.

Should you get the itch to visit Canada and spend a day or two at the Bailey House, Suzan can be reached at 1-877-532-1285. Toll free. The property’s address is 150 St. George St., P.O. Box 368, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Canada BOS 1AO.

Suzan’s beauty is only excelled by her toughness.  She tries odd ball things. None easy. She relishes in doing the difficult.

In 2013 and again in 2014, she walked the 500 mile pilgrimage known as the Camino del Santiago.  Started in France and ended at a shrine in Spain. The walk took many days. Something like 6 weeks. Though my recollection might be wrong in this regard.

I sense Suzan did it as a challenge. Not so much from a religious perspective.

Suzan’s Camino del Santiago is my Santorini volcano. She succeeded where I failed. Hers a much longer and arduous adventure.

I anticipate seeing Suzan in 3-4 years. It will be my time again.

Enjoy your day!

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