Being away has a funny way of changing one’s view of home.
This past August, I traveled a lot: Vancouver, Portland Oregon, Germany, the Netherlands. Particularly in Vancouver, people’s eyes would light up when I mentioned I was from Nova Scotia. “Oh, it is so beautiful there!” they would exclaim. This made me curious. The familiar can become invisible, can’t it: we become so used to our surroundings, we fail to see them after a while. I must also admit that I have had ‘my nose to the grindstone’ a lot this year, barely leaving my studio and office.
So, upon my return in early September, I took a spontaneous trip with my spouse and my grown daughter, who miraculously had three days in a row off work at the busy restaurant where she cooks. We hopped in the car and headed for the Nova Scotia countryside and beaches. To be specific, Parrsboro county, the ‘New Brunswick’ side of the Bay of Fundy with its record tides, smack across from famous Cape Split.
We were gone less than 36 hours, but the time felt precious and tremendously spacious. We stopped at nearly empty beaches along the shores, ate at the wonderful Wild Caraway restaurant in remote and tiny Advocate Harbour, made a bonfire at the endless stretch of beach full of dry driftwood, perfect for the flames, and had a wonderful sleep at one of the cottages along that shore.
On our way back, we visited unbelievably magic Cape d’Or (Cape of Gold! My cup of tea), and Five Island Park, before heading back to Halifax.
Such an amazing province, Nova Scotia!
And as harsh as the climate may often appear here, it actually lends itself to growing wine! I am delighted to be at the Avondale Winery again next Saturday, September 17th, 10am- 5pm, for their annual Garlic Festival. All things garlic, along with live music ,good food, and – lo behold – excellent hand craft. Come take a trip, discover this province of yours. Tap your toes, find out how many types of garlic there are, taste some wine on the former church that was floated across the water in order to serve as Avondale Winery’s tasting room. Is is said to be warm and overcast, but not yet raining Saturday – perfect! See you there.
PS: my next ‘local’ appearance will be in Antigonish for the Windfall Festival, September 24 & 25.
