October travels

For a change of scenery, Heather and I travelled this past week to New Brunswick, Maine, and New Hampshire.  Great fun!

Kingsport visit

We had a wonderful visit with Maureen, Joe (Dad), and Jan at their cottages in Kingsport last weekend.  We delighted on yummy burgers at dinner, and shared stories around the camp fire later in the evening.  Certainly a relaxing time with lots of conversation and humour.  Thanks!

the Tall Ships are coming...

From July 29 to August 1, 2017, Halifax, will be host city of the last portion of the Tall Ships Regatta going to Le Havre in France. The best of Nova Scotia will be showcased through music, culinary, historical and family friendly experiences on both sides of the harbour and in outport communities around the province. Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador Bluenose II will be front and centre during the event, highlighting their seafaring history and sail training passion.

Other Nova Scotia stops include:

•Pictou - June 30 to July 2, 2017
•Pugwash - June 30 to July 2, 2017
•Port Hawkesbury - June 30 to July 2, 2017
•Halifax - July 29 to August 1st, 2017
•Sydney - August 4 to August 6, 2017
•St. Peter's - August 4 to August 6, 2017
•Louisbourg - August 4 to August 6, 2017
•Lunenburg - August 10 to August 12, 2017
•Shelburne - August 14 to August 15, 2017
•Digby - August 15 to August 16, 2017
•Annapolis Royal Sail Past - August 16, 2017 (stop only)

Learn more about the RDV Tall Ships Regatta at http://www.rdv2017.com/en/http://www.rdv2017.com/en/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RDV2017/

Learn about the participating ships at http://rdv2017ns.com/the-tall-ships/

BEST COAST COFFEE GALLERY

Sad news... BEST COAST COFFEE GALLERY will not be open in 2017.  Despite the closure, we look forward to crossing paths this summer with the operators, Wendy and Tony, and hope that they will reopen in 2018.

Heather Gems

HEATHERGEMS is a unique and imaginative range of Scottish jewellery and giftware, made in Pitlochry, Scotland from natural heather stems.

And here is Gem Heather visiting HEATHERGEMS today (slightly modified photo).

And here are Heather and Laura (daughter) at the Centre of Scotland, which is near the village of Newtonmore (where Laura resides).

These Eyes

Who's lookin' at ya... these eyes (thanks to Google Doodles).

Privateer Days

Venture to Liverpool, Queens County, Nova Scotia, for a fun-filled weekend of events! See a Battle Re-enactment, Historic Encampment, Rum Run, Live Musical Entertainment in the Main Stage, Annual Duck Race, Reptile Zoo, Artisan and Crafter`s Market, Fireworks and Much More - it happens all weekend long!

The excitement occurs on June 23rd-25th, 2017, for this Nova Scotia Signature Festival.

Website: http://www.privateerdays.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privateerdays/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/R5mI0gIx5RI

Entertainment Line-up

Colin Grant

We are privileged to be related to a “hard-driving but clean, lively and passionate, traditional yet original” musician.  Heather’s nephew is renowned Colin Grant, whose “fiddle playing has stepped to the forefront of the East Coast traditional music scene – and people are sitting up and taking notice. Although most at home with traditional Cape Breton fiddle music, his versatility as both a lead and side musician has given him experiences in a variety of traditional styles, in addition to folk, rock and country genres.”

Beyond his passion for music, Colin is fun guy.  Learn more about Colin and his music at: http://colingrant.ca/

Canada 150

What does the Canada 150 logo represent?

The logo is composed of a series of diamonds, or “celebratory gems”, arranged in the shape of the iconic maple leaf. The four diamonds at the base represent the four original provinces that formed Confederation in 1867: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Additional diamonds extend out from the base to create nine more points—in total representing the 13 provinces and territories.

The Canada 150 logo was created by Ariana Cuvin from Toronto, Ontario.  Ariana’s design was chosen from a field of over 300 eligible entries in a nation-wide competition.  By participating in this contest, young Canadians had the opportunity to participate and contribute in an original way to this important milestone in Canadian history.

Visit Canada 150 to learn how to make the most of the Canada 150 anniversary, commemorate events, celebrate accomplishments and honour individuals who have helped shape Canada as we know it today.

 

And Get your Discovery Pass for free admission in 2017 to Parks Canada places from coast to coast to coast by visiting Parks Canada website.

HOPPY EASTER

Happy Birthday Laura & Happy St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick's Day, celebrated on March 17^th, marks the feast day and anniversary of the death of a Christian missionary known as Patrick, who converted many of Ireland's inhabitants to Christianity in the 5th century.  His feast day also celebrates Irish culture.  The most widely-seen St Patrick's Day symbol is the shamrock, which is the leaf of the clover plant and a symbol of Ireland.

March 17^th is also Laura’s birthday (Heather’s daughter), which is joyously celebrated by family and friends both near and far.  So, Happy Birthday Laura, and Happy St Patrick’s Day too.

JOEL

Chester Race Week

Chester Race Week
August 16-19, 2017
Learn more at:
Website
Facebook

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

We recently received a map of train routes in the USA (Freight Interchange Map of the United States) from our friend Joy, who lives in Tucson, Arizona.  I believe Joy may have sent the map to entice us to travel to Tucson to visit her, although I am not sure why she was suggesting routing our journey along a rail bed.  I am also uncertain why she metions that Tucson is known for its hobo population.

As demonstrated by Steve Martin and John Candy in the film “Planes,Trains & Automobiles” (1987), there are several modes of transportation, each with its pros and cons. 

Planes are swift, but can be crowded and uncomfortable unless you’re in first class.  As well, there are security delays, possible flight connections, luggage and carry-on restrictions, and food and beverage limitations.

Trains may offer more comfort, particularly with high quality leather seats featuring butterfly headrests and lumbar support, sliding bottoms and folding footrests, lift-able armrests and drop-down tray tables, and coat hooks and electrical outlets.  Trains also offer scrumptious meal options, along with much entertainment and wireless internet.  On the other hand, trains are noisy and slow, and often involve connections that are not well timed.

Automobiles provide quick and cheap transportation on short journeys, but can become tiresome and uncomfortable for lengthy travels (e.g., Atlantic to Pacific coast).  In addition, driving to distant destinations will require evening accommodations, which will add to the trip budget unless you sleep in the car or on the highway siding in a tent.

In my mind, I think I’d rather a short-haul trip from Halifax to Ulgedook Cottage, and invite Joy to come visit us there.

Joy and Heather, September 2014

PEI, here we come!

We're headed to PEI in July (yah-hoo). In anticipation of our journey, Heather is working on a difficult, 1000 piece, puzzle of Green Gables. Here is a picture of the puzzle. Notice anything odd?

Royal Canadian Mint

I am not a coin collector, but I certainly admire many of the “original designs crafted by Canadian artists, that the Royal Canadian Mint produces as some of the world's most stunning collectible coins.”  I also like to slightly modify coin designs by such things as: removing predatory animals, colouring, adding content, removing content, and stylizing.  Also interesting is the Haunted Canada Brakeman (2015) shown below, which features spectacular lenticular technology that masterfully tells the chilling tale of Vancouver's headless brakeman.

"Two Points Lighthouse" Art Show Calendar - 2017

Support the Medway Head Society in its efforts to maintain the Medway Head Lighthouse by purchasing a fundraising 2017 Lighthouse Art Show Calendar

The Cardinal

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, The definition of Cardinal is:

-a high ecclesiastical official of the Roman Catholic Church who ranks next below the pope and is appointed by him to assist him as a member of the college of cardinals, or

-a crested finch (Cardinalis cardinalis) of the eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada (including Nova Scotia), which has a black face and heavy red bill in both sexes and is nearly completely red in the male.

Although Ulgedook Cottage is a retired church, the first definition is irrelevant given its previous Wesley United religion.  The second definition is more relevant to me, not because I'm a bird-watcher, but because it was the image on my drinking glass in my parents cottage over forty years ago.  I used the cardinal glass, and my cousin Laurie used the blue-jay glass.  Since then, I have adopted the cardinal as a bird that I relate to.

Learn more about the Northern Cardinal at CanadianGeographic and/or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Danny's Deuce

Dan Baltzer fabricates his dream.

Start with Your Heart

Regardless of what you do, start with your heart.

The Optometrist

Who needs glasses: Joe, Joel, or Heather?

Summer awaits

We are already anxiously awaiting the arrival of Summer 2017, and look forward to much time at Ulgedook Cottage.  We are also excited to return to PEI in July for much fun and delight, including some tummy yummies from Kensington's Frosty Treat Dairy Bar.

Cool cars

Peggy's Cove guests

Happy New Year... 2017