While I am very careful to source my precious metals only from SCS® certified suppliers (SCS® stands for Supply Chain Sustainability; they are the global leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification). Most of my precious metals suppliers are also members of the Responsible Jewellery Council. However, I want to point out that ‘recycling gold' is not what is commonly understood by the term.
True recycling avoids things ending up in landfills. Gold, of course, wouldn’t.
Instead, gold is simply melted, refined and repurposed.
Although SCS® certified refineries must maintain auditable records of their suppliers, there are loopholes globally which make it very easy for gold from unregulated and/or illegal sources to enter their supply chain.
This makes even 'certified recycled' gold untraceable.
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.
The highest tides in the world bring the water onto the hot rocks quickly, which resulted in amazingly warm swimming. You can feel the waterlevel rise – the moon at work on earth.
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.
Our trip took us along the top of the Bay of Fundy. This awesome map was in the cottage we rented for the nightWonderful presentation of this chilled beet soup at The Wild Caraway restaurant
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.
My daughter particularly enjoyed our bonfire at the beach
View towards Cape Chignacto next morning. This photo illustrates well how the whole trip made me feel
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.
The view from Cape d’Or – a magical place
Such an amazing province, Nova Scotia!
The view from the cottage we rented: Advocate Harbour Beach stretches forever, with the tip of Cape d’Or on the left, and Cape Chignacto on the right
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.
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