A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words...

Mom and I decided a while back that we needed to get a bit more professional with our new career as world-renowned adventurers and bloggers and that better - or at least more interesting - photographs were in order. We quickly discovered that fabulous photos are harder to come by than we anticipated and that, just maybe, there’s a reason real photographers get paid the big bucks. Here are a few samples of our not-entirely-successful efforts…we had a good time taking them and were a source of great amusement (and bafflement) to the drivers of cars going by our driveway!

Touring Tips From The Farmhouse Inn, Part 2

It’s been a hectic month and we’ve been so busy touring around Nova Scotia in between hosting our own guests at the Evening Sail, that there’s hardly been time to sit down and get caught up on my writing!

We’re just back from a quick visit to Chester and are heading up to Cape Breton this weekend, but in the meantime, here are the rest of Andrea Kelly’s tips for the Canning area…

Andrea partners with Ross Creek Centre of the Arts which presents plays outdoors in July and August at their Two Planks and a PassionTheatre set outdoors on 178 acres of farmland.” They are committed to creating unforgettable experiences through one of the oldest mediums that exists: the theatre. This year’s productions are As You Like It and an adaption of The Iliad. Check the Farmhouse Inn’s website for packages.

The Evergreen Theatre in Margaretsville, a 36-foot square, 115-seat theatre, which started out as the Evergreen Baptist Church, is well worth checking out for excellent music!

The Blue Beach Fossil Museum on Bluff Road in Avonport has the largest fossil collection in Atlantic Canada. Make a trip there and start your own collection and talk to Chris ...he is amazing!

The ArtCan Cafe in Canning serves a fabulous lunch and will soon serve dinner and if you need a special gift from Nova Scotia, stop at Denise Aspinall’s Pottery Shop on the Main Street of Canning“.  (you can watch a video of Denise at work here).

And Andrea’s best advice?...“On your way home from Annapolis Royal, be sure to stop at Jonny's Cookhouse in Berwick for the best hamburger and ice cream anywhere”.

We took her advice and both agreed that Jonny’s is the kind of place you see on all those fun tv shows like Diners, Drive-Ins  and Dives . I went straight for a wonderful strawberry milkshake – the kind that still comes with the silver cup and all the extra shake that wouldn’t fit in your glass. Unfortunately, the shake was so filling that even though Mom and I split the Sweet Maria burger (local meat & smoked bacon, homemade bun, sweet chile sauce, grilled pineapple and seasoned mayo), we didn’t have enough room to try one of the nine (yes, I said nine) different kinds of poutine. The True Newfie (made with beer fries, gravy, homemade Newfoundland bread dressing, mozzarella cheese and more gravy) sounded too good to pass up. I don’t even know what beer fries are, but I really wanted to try them!

They don’t have a website, but they are open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm, year round! Located at 4287 Highway #1, Berwick, you just take exit 15 off 101 and turn south onto NS-360 for about 3 km. Turn right on #1 (which is west, I think?) and it’s just around the corner.

I’ll have lots of great ideas for a visit to the Annapolis Valley a little later on, but next time (for a change of pace) I think I’ll share some of the out-of-the-way places to hit on the South Shore, with a rundown of our visit with Suzi at the Mecklenburgh Inn in Chester… and please, the next time you’re in Canning, be sure to stop in at the Farmhouse Inn and let Andrea know you found her advice helpful…

Talk to you soon,

Michelle

Touring Tips From The Farmhouse Inn, Part 1

Heading down to Annapolis Royal last week to visit friend and fellow innkeeper, Andrea Boulding, we got distracted (as you do on the best road trips) by the fun things to do in the Wolfville area.

Even though it was still off season, almost all of the shops and restaurants were open so we decided to stop at a place that many of our guests have suggested to us over the past few summers - The Port, in Port Williams. The Port is a gastro-pub, built by a group of locals who thought the town needed a place for high quality food and a more adventurous beer selection. They serve their own micro-brewed beers produced on site and have live entertainment several nights a week. I had the pulled pork sandwich (excellent), while mom had the lobster club with sweet potato fries and we both lamented the cool weather which kept us from sitting outside on their pretty river-side patio overlooking the Cornwallis River.

After lunch we popped in on mom’s friend-of-a-friend, Andrea Kelly, who owns the Farmhouse Inn B&B in nearby Canning. Mom had previously met Andrea through Linda Barkhouse, a talented valley watercolorist whose work is displayed at the Farmhouse, and we wanted to touch base with Andrea and see if she might share a few of her personal recommendations. We caught her on her way out the door, but in the manner of consummate hostesses everywhere, she just laughed and ushered us into her warm kitchen. We spent a lovely hour talking shop and, more importantly, discussing the great secret spots in her area. In fact, she gave us so much great information that we’ll only have room for half of it in this post!

For those of you unfamiliar with the little town of Canning, it’s about 10 minutes out from Wolfville  – halfway between the town famous for Acadia University and the even more famous Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. Like much of the Annapolis Valley, the Canning area is filled with pretty farms, rolling fields and more recently, quite a few wineries and vineyards.

We won’t have time for all of her good touring advice but here are a few of Andrea’s suggestions..

“Visit all the wineries in the area (there’s a bunch), and definitely talk to Janet at Blomidon Estate Winery just down the road from the Farmhouse Inn) who gives a very educational tour. Pick up a bottle ...take a picnic and relax in their vineyard.

Viewing the tides is THE big attraction here...the tour books suggest Halls Harbour to experience the high and low tides but there are many other magnificent places for different and amazing experiences...like Scott's Bay (my favourite), at Kingsport Beach you can have an ice cream cone while you walk way, way out on the mud flats, and a trip out to Blomidon Beach with a stop at Delhaven at low tide is a must.

Also a MUST when visiting the Valley is a trip to The Historic Site at Grand Pre . Make sure you continue down the road to Evangeline Beach....in July you can watch the migrating birds as they stop to feed at low tide before starting their trip to South America.

Also don't miss the serene site of the Deportation Cross at Horton Landing”.

Wondering about Andrea’s best advice? -  We’ll have that in our next post, so check back in a few days (or sign up for email notification!) and be sure to drop us a line to tell us if you’ve tried any of these great ideas…we’d love to share your stories and photos…

Talk to you soon,

Michelle

Seaport Farmer's Market A Must-See For Tourists And Locals Alike...

 

This past Saturday, mom and I got up early and drove into Halifax to visit the new(ish) farmer’s market housed on the waterfront at Pier 20 (next door to the famous Pier 21). The old market was located in the Keith’s Brewery building, which was charming but cramped, and the move gave them lots of space to spread out (45,000 square feet of room to be precise).

 

Even though mom and I are supposed to be on diets, we couldn’t resist a blueberry cream cheese croissant from Mary’s Bread Basket, which was so good we just had to split a raspberry, chocolate and cream cheese croissant, and it just went downhill from there.

There were all sorts of craft booths with really fun and funky stuff, like this great Gollywaggle (below) from Monika McEwen Art Dolls (www.monikamcewenartdolls.com) and free entertainment in several locations (fiddle players and a trio playing something that sounded South American with a really catchy beat). Little kids were dancing along with the music and we could tell that several adults wanted to join in.

 

The market is open Fridays from 10am to 5pm, Saturdays from 7am to 4pm and Sundays from 8am to 4pm. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays. For more details, including driving directions, visit www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com.

10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Nova Scotia Roadtrip

1. Just because you’re on a road trip, doesn’t mean you should spend all your time in the car!
Nova Scotia is bigger than it looks on the map, so don’t try to do it all in a few days or you’ll do nothing but drive down major highways, looking at the trees. Plan for a few “down days” on your trip or book more than one night at a few of the places you plan to stay…give yourself the time for leisurely mornings or local sightseeing.

2. Do your research.
Even if you don’t like to book your B&B in advance, be sure to visit their website, read their reviews or even give them a call and ask a few specific questions.  Every B&B experience will be different – from the style of the rooms, to the involvement and friendliness of the innkeeper – be realistic about your expectations. Do you want a family style breakfast, individual tables for two or would you prefer to avoid other guests as much as possible? Are you looking for complete peace and isolation or are you willing to sacrifice a little quiet for the convenience of walking to restaurants, shops and entertainment?  Know what is important to you and then find the B&B that suits you best.

3. Eat like a local!
It’s hard to find bad seafood in Nova Scotia. Even the smallest Mom & Pop family restaurants will serve excellent fish and chips or pan-fried haddock. Plan to sample the lobster rolls and seafood chowder everywhere you go and be sure to watch for my local favourites when it’s time for dessert – sticky toffee pudding and strawberry-rhubarb pie!

4. Get off the main highways…but not too far off.
If at any point your paved road turns into a dirt road…Stop…Turn around… and head back towards civilization. Trust me, no matter what your GPS is telling you – dirt roads do not a pleasant roadtrip make. If you do get lost though, don’t worry. Nova Scotians are some of the friendliest people around, so just stop for directions and they’ll be happy to help.

5. Arrive early at your destination.
Small towns in Nova Scotia are like small towns everywhere else. Museums, stores and attractions are often family owned or run by volunteers, so they may keep shorter hours than places in big urban areas (even in the busiest tourist season and especially during the shoulder season!). Plan to arrive by the early afternoon to avoid disappointment.

6. Be adventurous and follow any handmade sign that catches your eye.
Around every corner you’ll find an artisan with a shop in their potting shed or a farmer with a veggie stand at the end of their drive. Hand-written, hand-painted or hand-carved - chances are good you won’t be disappointed with the treasures you find.

7. Be specific with your questions at the VIC’s .
The provincial information centres can be very helpful if you need directions, but the staff is not allowed to give opinions. The more specific you are with your questions, the more useful their information will be. Don’t ask “what’s a good place to eat?” Instead, tell them exactly what kind of dining experience you’re looking for – homemade, romantic, fancy or fast!

8. Make your activity reservations at least 24 hours ahead to avoid disappointment.
Plan ahead. Don’t count on being able to reserve an outdoor adventure at the last minute, because sometimes the person who answers the phone is the same one who leads the sea kayaking class, and cell reception may not be all that great on the open seas.

9. Go to a ceileidh…any ceileidh!
Nova Scotia is known for its music and every town has a pub, church hall or gazebo in the park with regularly scheduled entertainment. These performances are often not well advertised and can be hard to find, so be sure to ask your innkeeper!

10. Be aware of festivals and events and their impact on crowds and room availability.
Every small town in Nova Scotia has their own special weekend (or weeklong) festival, fair or celebration, every one of which is worth a visit. If you’re one of the many travellers who prefer to fly by the seat of their pants, be prepared to find that every room in town has been booked for months or that the main road into town is closed for two hours for the evening parade.

Coming Soon!… Mom and I head to the Seaport Farmer’s Market in Halifax and we visit with Andrea Boulding , owner of At The Turrett  B&B, in Annapolis Royal.

Have any questions for Andrea or any suggestions you’d like to share with us? We’d really like your input, so please comment below to share your questions, tips and advice.

Welcome to Roadtripping Nova Scotia…. An innkeepers perspective on Nova Scotia’s back roads and hidden treasures…

There is so much to see and do in Nova Scotia and trying to decide just where to spend your precious, and often limited, vacation days can be daunting. You can read all the guidebooks and scour official tourism websites for days, but if you already like to stay at B&B’s (and Nova Scotia has a lot of them), you’ve probably found that some of the best touring advice has come from your hosts themselves.

Why An Innkeeper’s Perspective?

Your innkeeper usually knows how to find that secret beach and can tell you where the locals eat, because they are locals themselves! They also have the inside track on what their previous guests have done and enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy and wished they hadn’t wasted time on) so they can help you sort through the overwhelming number of available options to find the most rewarding choices for you.

Who Are We and What Are We Blogging About?

Mom and I are innkeepers ourselves. We have run the Evening Sail B&B in Pictou, Nova Scotia for just over nine years now, so we have a pretty good list of favourite places to stop along the road to our doorstep and even more hidden treasures to recommend in our immediate area. In the next few months we’ll be writing about some of these old favourites. We’ll also be visiting some of the places further afield that have been recommended by our own guests and then passing on our adventures. More importantly, we’ll be dropping in on our fellow innkeepers along the way and asking for their personal favourites and suggestions.

What Would You Ask Your Innkeeper?

We’ll be creating a sort of questionnaire for the innkeepers we’ll be meeting, so please let us know what questions you’d most like answered. Like who makes the best dessert in town? Or what is the most underrated local attraction?

Let us know what you’d really like to know before you even get here, and we’ll do our best to get you the most useful tips possible. If we’re really lucky, we might be able to get some of our own past guests to become guest bloggers themselves and share the best of their Nova Scotia travels with us here, as well.
Any volunteers?

Talk to you soon,
Michelle

Coming Soon… 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Nova Scotia Roadtrip and Mom and I head to the Seaport Farmer’s Market in Halifax!