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Out and About Nova Scotia Updates

I suspect that recent blog posts have not been sending out automatically to subscribers. So here is an update. Hope you are looking forward to exploring Nova Scotia this summer

·  Highland Heritage Week includes a video of Clan Thompson Pipe Band

·  Ballantyne’s Cove a lovely short drive from Antigonish

·  Out and About Antigonish Book Now Available

·  Eastern Shore Staycation Enjoy the NS Eastern Shore

·  Antigonish Staycation  Enjoy an Antigonish Staycation

Out and About Antigonish - Book SOLD OUT

Out and About Antigonish – Book SOLD OUT

Explore Antigonish and the surrounding areas. This is a wonderful gift for newcomers, staff, family and friends. Antigonish Town, excursions within 2 hrs, day trips, outdoor recreation, hiking, history, culture, beaches, trails, nature and more.

$24.95
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Arisaig Collage

Arisaig

A trip to Arisaig is always a great day out. Now that summer is here the beach is inviting and safe for children. The lobster boats are all tied up as the season is over and wonderful to enjoy the peaceful views and the smell of salt-sea air and a fresh breeze.  The water was so calm this day that it was difficult to see the horizon with the sea and sky the same hue.

The Lobster Interpretive Centre / Tea Room is open with sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs and desserts. Great view of the harbour and learn lots of interesting facts about lobsters. There is an interesting short film to give more of the history and even tips on how to serve and eat a lobster.

Head over to the Lighthouse Café for an ice cream cone and watch the sea birds roosting on the rocks.

There will be lots of fun for all ages at the Arisaig Mid-Summer Festival July 16-19 with food, socials, dancing, kids games, live demonstrations, boat tours, music and more. (http://arisaigns.com/sum-r-fest/ )

There are so many things to see and do in the area. Enjoy the day. See my article in The Casket newspaper on the “Loop Drive Offers Delights from Arisaig to Barney’s River” for a full loop drive.

Arisaig is only 30 minutes from Antigonish via Hawthorne St / HWY 245 on the Northumberland coast.

More information

Grand Pré – Acadian History

 

 

Grand Pre church

Grand Pre church


Grand Pré is situated at the north east end of the Annapolis Valley.  It borders on the Minas Basin and the tidal lands of the Bay of Fundy.  The area was settled in the 1600s by French settlers from Port Royal who reclaimed the lands from the tides and made a fertile land.

Now we see the low meadowland and dikes and on the hills above, vineyards and wineries commanding a view of the area.

The history of Grand Pré is dramatic with the land being fought over by the English and French during the 1700s and the expulsion of the Acadians from their lands in 1755.  The story is well told in the multi-media centre at the  Parks Canada National Historic Site.  The grounds with the sweeping willow trees and wandering stream are peaceful and commemorate the deportation.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem Evangeline to bring the story to light and the statue of Evangeline and bust of Longfellow are featured in the garden.

Sunset from Beach Breeze Motel Grand Pre

Sunset from Beach Breeze Motel Grand Pre

The church, built on the site of the 17th century Acadian village (Eglise Souvenir Memorial Church) depicts life in the village and scenes of the deportation.  Be sure to listen to the audio stories from the voices of 2 children.

The path off to the left of the church goes to the blacksmith forge with a lovely view of the dikes and fields below.  You can bike or walk along the dikes.

Just 10 minutes from Grand Pré National Historic Park there is a large and well kept campground and the lovely Beach Breeze Motel.  We stayed here and had a wonderful view of the sunset and sunrise over the vast changing tides of Fundy.

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Directions

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Spring in Nova Scotia

 

 

Spring Thaw Port Hawkesbury Strait of Canso

Ahhh spring.  This year we had a March treat of 3 days in the mid 20s (centigrade).  The snow disappeared and you can see through the ice on the lakes and patches of clear water on areas that had been iced over.  Kids were out in their shorts and the teens were out sunning themselves and soaking up the rays.  What a treat to have the summer-like weather even though we knew it wouldn’t last.

The robins have arrived and some hardy plants have started raising their heads – hope they don’t get fooled and frozen at the early stage.

Robin Sign of Spring

Of course 2 days later the temperature is -4 Degrees C.  Quite a feat to know what to wear but layers are the answer.

Looking forward to enjoying the buds coming out on the trees, the crocuses and spring flowers arriving — and yes the odd snow flurries and blustery days thrown in there.  This IS Nova Scotia after all where the weather is a great topic of conversation and can change from one minute to the next.

Slideshow

Click the arrows to view the slideshow. Click caption to see the caption.

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More Information

Denise Davies is a photographer and travel writing living in Antigonish.

Looking Back at 2011 and Looking Forward to 2012

 

 

Winter has been quite a roller coaster from warm days, lots of rain, clear skies, snow for Christmas and some days feeling like spring or fall and other days real winter. It is a good time for reflection – to look back and enjoy some of the sights and sounds and experiences of the past year – and to plan for the upcoming year.

Winter Wonderland- in our few days of snow that magically arrived just for Christmas

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Favorites from 2011

Some of the many wonderful finds and experiences of the past year

And much more – click on the CATEGORIES to browse through all the postings or the ARCHIVES.

Looking Forward

  • Sydney and industrial Cape Breton – I grew up in Sydney but really haven’t explored it in the past many years.
  • Annapolis apple blossoms – have not been here in the spring and looking forward to seeing this.
  • Cape Breton fall leaves – this is such a spectacular sight on the tartan colored rolling hills of Cape Breton and enjoying the crisp days of autumn
  • Yarmouth and the South Shore – lots to see and do here
  • Fundy tides – one of the wonders of the world (although it didn’t quite make the list)
  • Kedjie park – the many Parks of Nova Scotia with hiking and nature explorations

What are your favorite places in Nova Scotia?  Celebrations? Stores? Places to stay?  Things to do?   I would love to get your suggestions and reasons why – and will take a look at including these on my own explorations in 2012.   Please fill in the COMMENT box below to make your suggestions.

Thank you to all the readers of Out and About Nova Scotia – Enjoy your armchair traveling 🙂

Denise Davies

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Basket Making Workshop at Loonsong Cottage

 

After settling in to the comfortable Loonsong Cottage with coffee and snacks we got an introduction to baskets and the materials from Sian Turner.  All of us were beginners so Sian showed us each step then worked with us.  We were making the same style basket – but each could make selections of type of the widths to use, accent colours and web handles.  As a result each basket was unique.

It was a fun day with lots of chat and laughter and a delicious lunch.  Four of us stayed overnight and enjoyed an evening of wonderful food and talk.

The cottage is situated in the lovely Country Harbour and there are walks through the fern and mossy forest, along the brook, or down to the nearby Salsman Provincial Park.  A spectacular sunrise over perfectly calm water made for a great photo opportunity.

The drive from Antigonish is just 1 hour and through beautiful countryside with the tamarak providing the golden accent colour at this time of year.

Look for more workshops in the spring – sign up at www.loongsongcottageretreat.com This is a beautiful location for a retreat or workshop.  This year featured Aromatherapy, Yoga, Be You Fully, and a Discovery Circle.  Spring workshops are in the planning stage.

The food and hospitality are wonderful and accommodations are very comfortable and homey. Kathi is a masseuse so there is an opportunity for a massage as part of the weekend if you book it.

Sunrise – Antigonish Landing

 

 

Sunrise and rolling mist

Sunrise and rolling mist

6AM sky looking great so headed to the Antigonish Landing for an early morning walk.  What a glorious time of day to see the sun burning off the morning mist and watching the mist drifting along the estuary and up over the rolling hills.  The hills with small farms gradually appeared through the layers of mist showing new vistas as the day progressed.

 

Jeweled web

Jeweled web

Dew drops highlighting the spiders’ webs turned them into jeweled wonders.  What a combination of function, geometry, and beauty.  I even caught sight of a lovely spider waiting its prey.  Lots of bird song in the air and of course ducks swimming in the river.  A grey heron flew into a nearby tree and another flew by just keeping above the water line.

The water was so calm that it reflected the nearby Queen Anne’s Lace, Goldenrod and other wild flowers.  Apple trees and choke cherries are found along the trail.

Hills through the mist

Hills through the mist

Antigonish Landing is an estuary leading out around marsh land and islands out to the open ocean.  Rivers empty in to this tidal estuary.  The walking trail is a great place for walking and running.  There are parking places and access from just past the old train station – just cross the tracks and turn right, or continue up past the hospital and turn right at Tony’s Meats.

Photo Gallery

 

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More Information

Gathering of the Arts

 

 

The Gathering of the Arts, GoArts 2011 organized by Antigonish Culture Alive (ACA).  An opening Reception was held on July 4 at the Peoples’ Place Library in Antigonish. The reception celebrated the opening of the juried art exhibition.  Awards were presented to the Peoples’ Place in recognition of its support to the Arts Community. And to Michael Steinitz for his annual concert series work.   The reception was well attended and an opportunity to view the exhibits.

The juried Art Exhibit includes works from over 60 artists with a wide variety of media – oils, watercolor, pencil, photography, mixed media, textiles, quilting, sculpture, batik, weaving, and more. Art from L’Arche Horizons, Youth Art. Workshops and artist demonstrations. July 4-16, 2011

July 4 – 16
Peoples’ Place Library, Main St. Antigonish NS

1 minute video with a sampling of reception and exhibition.