Recreating Fort William Augustus, Canso, Nova Scotia circa 1744

This summer, Ian needs to make a project for his school. Last summer we did a project about tall ships.
This time, we shall build a minature fort.

Step one, drawing the fort plan, and building the earthworks.

Step two is to then add the toothpicks as the pallisade.

Both Ian and Leena worked on his project. It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

After this project this little fort will take part in many 18th-19th battles.


Unfortunately, the fall and winter of 2014 was a bit damp, and the whole thing got moldy! So this fort has now been consigned to the burnable garbage. I'll have to think on how to rebuilt this with something which can resist mold a bit better.

Privateer raids in Nova Scotia in the 18th Century

This summer, Ian and I plan on fighting a few campaigns. One of them will be to do some privateer raids.

This year, July 15, 2013 is the national Japanese holiday of Marine day. To celebrate this, Ian and I decided to have a Privateer raid on Canso circa 1720

A fancifal view of Canso

On of the farmers desperately trying to tend livestock in the rough climate of Nova Scotia

Gibbons Regiment drill in the parade square

 

Some of the more substantial buildings which could have been built at Canso, however, most of the buildings would have been rough wooden shacks.

"Black Bart" Robert's ship arrives, filled with MikMaq warriors and freebooters looking for cheap plunder.

As the battle began, Ian fired his guns to blast apart the seaward defences. He then landed his pirates/privateers on the shore. The Board of Ordance gunners took post under fire and began to blast the pirates apart. Eventually, after two waves of attackers were knocked down, the pirate gunners opened up again, this time aiming at the gun battery. Their fire was affected by the surf. All the while, the British Infantry and local fishermen and militia kept up a brisk musketry.
Finally, with weight of numbers prevailing, the commander, a lowly Lieutant, surrendered the town, and witnessed it's sacking.

 

 

July 12, 2013, my graduation from the University of Leicester

On Friday, July 12, 2013, I was awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or other language.)
This study took up three years of my time. I completed my studies via distance learning while working 6 days a week, and taking care of my family.
I know have the personal confidence, as well as the professional education to consider myself an offical English teacher.

I should like to thank my wife and children for allowing me to conduct my study.

I recieved my MA degree in August by post.

Canada Day in Japan 2013

Well,,, it may not have been Tim Horton's, but we went out for a coffee and donuts.

And Leena got her first bicycle, but had to use Ian's to learn how to ride.

I then took Ian to the park where we were playing with some of the kids from his school.