It's Official

It's official... 2013 Cottage Season has commenced.

Ulgedook Cottage os ready for another season of enjoyment.  Water turned on (thanks to a $40 visit from the plumber to resolve an mystery - another story); furniture dusted; floors swept; beds made; towels hung; mouse traps baited; mouse traps emptied and re-baited; mass mouse trap baited; lawn fertilized and limed; and more.  Next steps... load the liquor cabinet.

the Christmas Mouse

Joel’s Poem

from the Christmas Mouse

Now Joel we hear you’ve been naughty not nice
You’ve been torturing and slaughtering the Christmas mice
Cheese and peanut butter you have used as bait
Hoping to seal our deadly fate
Your last invention of walking the plank
Was mass extermination of the lowest rank

The church is a refuge a place of peace
Love and Joy and hope for violence to cease
We mean you no harm we want you to know
But you’re gone now and we need a place to go

Yes, while the cats away the mice will play
We’ve moved in for the season and we’re here to stay
But there’s lots to do, we must make haste
Christmas is coming there’s not a moment to waste
At last it’s here and it’s party time
Lots of food and the communal wine
The tree is up, decorating done
All that’s left is to start the fun
We’ll go up to the belfry and ring the bell
To summon the neighborhood mice as well

Oh there will be music tonight you can be sure
Laughing and dancing on the vestry floor
Tails all a quiver, eyes aglow
Little pink feet, swaying to and fro

We are eternally grateful, with one thing in mind
To wish you both a Merry Christmas

                                 ...from all of mousekind.

-by Maureen Phillips

Nuptials

Over the last 100 years or so, the quaint country church in East Port Medway has seen many couples pledge their love in marriage. Today was a special day in the church turned cottage, when Andre and Pete shared their wedding vows and started their life together. We wish the couple a century of prosperity and enjoyment to come.

Yummy... Dixie Lee

If you like Chicken... You'll Love Dixie Lee!

Dixie Lee has returned to Liverpool after a 20-year absence, and the family that ran the original store are the ones who brought it back. David and Diane Bursey opened the Dixie Lee in Liverpool on September 7, 1972.   Now thier son, Andrew, has opened a new Dixie Lee Family Restaurant on Main Street.

Dixie Lee offers a variety of chicken and seafood dinners, and its popular coleslaw, to dine in or take out.

The original grand opening ad from 1972.

An Honour

We continue to be amazed and appreciative of how the community has welcomed us so warmly.

In this case, we extend heartfelt and humble gratitude for the generous gift from Mary and Chris Brown... a hooked rug of Ulgedook Cottage. As Susan says, the rug is truly stunning, and is a testament to Mary’s talent as a fibre artist. We are honoured to have one of Mary’s creations.

The rug will hang proudly in the church, and we will treasure it always. Thanks again Mary and Chris!

Mass Mouse Trap

The mouse population in East Port Medway is on the rise, and people are taking up arms in a counter-attack. I have opted for a “Mass Mouse Trap” (no pun intended) in an attempt to capture multiple mice without re-baiting. The concept is simple… partly fill a bucket with water, and lure the mice to fall in and drown. As pictured below, the bucket of water has two spindles secured above it, the top one with a canister of peanut butter, and the bottom one with a slippery container for the mouse to fall off and drop into the water below.

The trap looks and sounds good, but whether it is effective is yet to be tested.

Post Script (November 10, 2012): Mickey and Mighty Mouse were caught lounging poolside, while Minnie, Speedy Gonzales, and Jerry Mouse were found floating belly-up in the pool.

NEWS! Andrea & Pete are getting married... here!!

Here's the church

click on the image to see...

No holds barred!

There seems to be no holds barred pertaining to preparations for Andrea and Pete’s wedding. Somehow, they have influenced the NS Department of Highways to re-pave the road to Ulgedook Cottage. Now that’s political clout!

Pre-work

After announcing that their upcoming nuptials will take place at Ulgedook Cottage, Andrea and Pete embarked on sprucing up the place with new paint in the vestibule.  Here they are pictured hard at work.  Thanks you two!

Velocity Maiden Voyage

Today was Velocity’s maiden voyage.

Who or what is Velocity, you ask? Well, Velocity is the model name of my new-to-me kayak, which I bought yesterday from Paul Lewis… a competitive kayaker/canoeist (see Custom Walking Stick post, dated August 12, 2012 for more about Paul). Paul sells a few kayaks and canoes, and particularly suggested the Sun Velocity for me, given my size, experience, intended use. And Paul was correct in his choice; Velocity fits and suits me perfectly (thanks Paul).

As noted by the Great Canadian Canoe and Kayak Company, the Velocity is “an expert's kayak that is beginner friendly… the best crossover kayak ever made for both touring and river running. The revolutionary hull design makes the Velocity both faster and more maneuverable than other kayaks of its length. Entry level paddlers can get started with an efficient design that is stable, comfortable and predictable. When your skills improve and are ready to push the envelope (quicker rivers up to class III whitewater, multi-day backcountry treks, coastal paddle trails, or ocean surfing) the capabilities of the Velocity won't let you down.”

Today, I joined several friends for a brief paddling jaunt in Volgers Cove. At first, I didn’t seem to track well, but I soon became accustomed to the power of my new, 240cm, wood paddle and mastered the ability to keep the boat straight.

The voyage was short, but very enjoyable. I look forward to venturing on the waters again soon, and am happy that I have many friends to join in paddling adventures.

Here are some useful links for kayaking in Nova Scotia:
Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Sea Kayak Routes
Paddle Lunenburg-Queens
Nova Scotia Boat Ramp Locations
Transport Canada Sea Kayaking Safety Guide

Deliverance

We simply have too much fun; thanks to wonderful friends.

Today, we trekked inland to Annis Lake, where Don and Marlene have a relaxing, rustic property. And our visit could not have been more enjoyable, given the serenity, munchies, campfire, and camaraderie. Our stay was captivating and peaceful, particularly given the lack of any bugs… not a single mosquito!  

The highlight of the day was Susan’s first-ever boarding and paddling of a kayak. Congratulations Susan for your adventurousness, and thanks Don and Marlene for your easy-going guidance.

View Susan's adventure here:

Shelburne

After the Port L’Herbert Pocket Wilderness Trail, we headed to Shelburne to scout around town. There’s a lot to see in Shelburne, including historical buildings and homes along the waterfront. Regrettably, our arrival to town was late in the day, so we simply strolled along Dock Street and soaked in some of its’ history. As noted on the Town of Shelburne Visitors webpage.

“Shelburne Harbour has the third best natural harbour in the world. The native Mik'maq traversed the Roseway River and used the surrounding lands for summer encampments long before our shores were visited by Spanish, Portuguese and French fishermen.

In the spring of 1783, 5,000 settlers arrived on the shores of Shelburne Harbour from New York and the middle colonies of America. Assurance of living under the British flag, and promises of free land, tools, and provisions lured many to the British Colonies at that time. Four hundred families associated to form a town at Port Roseway, which Governor Parr renamed Shelburne later that year. This group became known as the Port Roseway Associates. In the fall of 1783, a second wave of settlers arrived in Shelburne. By 1784, the population of this new community is estimated to have been at least 10,000; the fourth largest in North America, much larger than either Halifax or Montreal.”

 

We also went to Sandy Point Lighthouse, which is situated in the water but you can walk to during low tide. Some history of this light is found on the Lighthouse Friends webpage:

“On September 25, 1873, H. W. Johnston, the Department of Marine and Fisheries agent for Nova Scotia, submitted a report to the minister of the department containing the following information on the recently completed lighthouse at Sandy Point.

Shelburne Harbour Light, which is a fixed red one, elevated sixty-seven feet above the level of high water, is situated on Sand Point, east side of the entrance to Shelburne Harbour. The tower, a square wooden building, is painted white, and was erected by Mr. George De Champ for the sum of $725. The light was first shown on the 1st September, 1873, and is intended as a guide to Shelburne Harbor, and to mark the dangers of Sand Point. Mr. Edward Goudock was appointed keeper, at an annual salary of $200.”

Port L'Hebert Pocket Wilderness Trail

Today we headed to Port L’Herbert to explore the Pocket Wilderness Trail. Surprising, this park is no longer serviced, but remains in great condition. The three kilometre trail is well marked, and includes many boardwalks over any wet areas, and three look-off decks on the waterfront.

Learn more below, and on the Trails NS website at:  Port L'Hebert Pocket Wilderness Trail

"The Port L'Hebert trail was Bowater Mersey's first Pocket Wilderness. It opened in 1979 as a project to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited by Nova Scotian financier, IW Killam.

The Port L'Hebert Harbour is named after Louis L'Hebert, Champlain's apothecary on his voyage to Nova Scotia in 1604. It is a well-known wintering ground for migrating Canada geese. There is eel grass, open water, and the minimal disturbance the geese need to survive the harsh winter months. The Canadian Wildlife Service has designated the upper end of Port L'Hebert, including the delicate shoreline along the Pocket Wilderness, as a waterfowl sanctuary."

"Build it and they will come"

In this case, we built a bonfire at Broad Cove Beach and others came to enjoy it. A fun time in the dark, illuminated only by the flames of he fire, with the soothing sounds of small waves lapping on the beach. And the lesson for the night… people have different perspectives of “bonfires.” How so, you ask. As evidenced in that Joel brought a box full of 16” firewood to stoke the fire, while and Don brought a truck load of 4’ (yes, four foot) logs for the same purpose. We had enough wood to burn several days, but decided not to so.