Big Tancook Island

"Road trip" my real estate client and gym buddy stated - tomorrow we agreed. Well tomorrow was today - May 16th, 2008. What a fantastic trip it was! I will return ....


The day was just perfect for our adventure - it was sunny, calm, and warm. A beautiful day for a road trip! We left Hammonds Plains with an air of anticipation and a Tim Horton's coffee in hand at 9 am and travelled along highway 103 to exit 7. A quick right onto Highway 3 and we were only 7 km from the ferry in Chester. We arrived in Chester at 9:40 am and since the ferry didn't leave till 10:30 am, we had a little time to walk around and do a little shopping. There is this great little gift shop just to the left of the ferry (looking out at the harbour) and some amazing pieces that are very reasonably priced - I was very surprised at the quality, different products, and the great prices - another place to return when I have more time.





10:20 am and we were just finishing our purchases at the store so we needed to run back to the ferry. Silly us - we didn't get a snack before we got on the boat! Okay - so passes are $5 per trip or you can booklets and then it is $2 for a trip. The ferry isn't that huge but it can fit about 40 passengers and probably a car or truck. The ride is about 45 minutes - first to Little Tancook Island and then onto Big Tancook Island. The wharfs are definitely government funded - they are quite nice and elaborate. Fishermen were working on the water as we ferried in. The fresh smell of salt water, the sound of gulls, and the gentle ride from the waves made me feel like I was back home visiting my grandfather in Botwood, Newfoundland. Ahhh - the good times.

So we arrived at the Big island at about 11:20 am. We could see from the ferry the house we were there to visit - 696 Big Tancook Island Road - a century home that is now for sale for $110,000. We had a very short walk up from the wharf to the home. With silent anticipation to ascended the stairs to the property. Our expectations of the property and the reality pf the property actually coincided - we were starring at what we had both sort of expected. A fantastic view, a previously beautiful home, and a great deal of possibility. We both stood inside observing the present condition of the home and dreamed of the possibilities. We anticipated some significant repairs - new windows, doors, siding, flooring refinishing and repair, new kitchen, updated bathrooms, and wall repairs. We pictured walls taken down and the main area opened up...we also dreamed of larger windows that gave the ocean it's justified view. My client hoped that the septic, water, electrical, and plumbing were satisfactory. Would this house be the right home for my client - time will tell... we have some work to do first to see if it is worth the investment.




After we viewed the home and the property, we had some time to walk up the road and we came across a home that had obviously undergone some significant repairs and upgrades. We could now see the potentially finished product of 696 Big Tancook Island Road. But what would the cost be...this is what scared my client. The unknown...the unexpected...

What a quiet island - we passed a few people in their homes - they all seemed a little curious as to why these two strangers were on their island. I felt that they had talked as soon as we boarded the ferry in Chester - the buzz of gossip .... lol! I was happy to see freshly hung clothes on the clothesline, a billy goat in the field, and a small dog restrained within a fenced area. The seagulls seemed to serenade us and the quiet sounds of the tide was a beautiful backdrop.

The ferry returns to the mainland at 1:30 pm - so we jumped on - eager for a bathroom and some food... my client made nice with a few of the "locals" and obtained some important info about the island. Did you know that they have a elementary school with a teacher for 3 kids!? Wow - I guess at one time there were 20 kids but the population had changed...

Once back on the mainland, we both promised that we would return to the area to enjoy a pitcher of beer and to further enjoy some shopping in the picturesque area. I plan on returning with my two children...a picnic on the island sounds like an amazing trip....

Here -are a few descriptions of the island ....

"Enjoy Island living that is only a 45 minute ferry ride away from Chester. The Tancook Islands are a wonderful place to get away from the hustle & bustle of everyday living."

"Looking for a weekend get away or a year round home? Watch the sun set or the ferry dock from the large wrap around deck. Also enjoy the spectacular views of Mahone Bay."

And a Little History......

"Tancook and Little Tancook are 2 islands located 6 miles off the southern coast of Nova Scotia in Mahone Bay. These two islands are accessible by passenger ferry--the William G. Ernst is stationed at Big Tancook and makes daily runs to and from the historic yachting community of Chester.

In 1792 both Tancooks and Starr Island were granted to J.H. Flieger and George Grant. In 1829 thirty families of German colonists and French Huguenots, who had been brought over by the British Government, established their homes on the Tancooks.

Today, the population of Tancook Island is approximately 125 year round and swells to approximately 200 in the summer. The people make their living solely on the sea as inshore fishermen or ferry crew. Little Tancook has approximately 35 people, all subsist on the sea for their living as well.

Paulette Upshall
CENTURY 21 Admiral Cove Realty
Bedford, NS
902-877-8851
http://www.halifaxrealestateteam.ca/