Saturday, August 22, 2020

Exploring the History of Grand Pre


Finally I got a good sleep!  I wake at 8:30!  I did wake up around 4 am and grabbed some water (a bit too much wine last night) and then was concerned that I would not be able to get back to sleep, but I did easily.

We made a nice breakfast - oh I so love staying in Airbnb with a kitchen. 


Our goal today is to visit the National Historic site of Grand Pre.  It is not that far away and it is open.  Some of the displays that require touching, or watching a movie are not being offered but it is still an amazing site.



If you don't know about Grand Pre and the Acadians read more and I bet you will realize that in fact you do know a bit about them.





Acadians were French settlers from the western part of central France.  They first migrated to the area known as Acadie in the early 1630s.  The children of these settlers became known as Acadians.  Today, several million people can proudly say they are descendants from this original group.


They lived here, built homesteads, farmed the land quite nicely until the start of the Seven Year War.  in 1755, the local British authorities made the decision to remove Acadians from their homes in the area known as Acadie.  Why were they forced out you may ask?  The Acadians were neutral, they did not want to take sides with the French or the English.  Although the British were skeptic.  The Acadians were mainly Catholic and they spoke French.  This was a real threat to the British who had just taken hold of the area of what is known as Nova Scotia.



The Acadians were rounded up and the men were told they had to pledge allegiance to the British and promise to fight on their behalf.  They refused.  They wanted to remain neutral.



They were forced out and off their land.  Many left and went throughout New Brunswick, Cape Breton, New England area, even some to South America.  But many were deported that first year to British colonies to the south; to Massachusetts and as far south as Georgia.  Some were exiled to England even France in the following years.  For many, the deportation would cause years of unrest.  Families were separated and communities destroyed by the British.  Eventually, the survivors made new homes and lives by either returning to the Maritimes or settling in the former French colonies of Louisiana and Quebec.  

So that is why you have Creole in Louisiana, the French from that area came for this area of Nova Scotia!

The site is very informative.  The grounds are stunning and the replica church that was built to commemorate the area is very moving.  The original church is where the men were gathered and actually forced to stay until they plead allegiance to the Monarch.  




We spent about two hours here and then travelled to Horton's Landing.  This area is where the Acadians were sent out into boats to far away lands.  Very serene.




Driving back into Wolfville we stop at the Grand Pre winery where we had supper yesterday.  We wanted to come back and try some of the wines.  Boy we are glad we did.  They offered a lovely wine tasting.  But since we spent more that $100 on wines we got the tastings for free.  

We are a little hungry so we head downtown Wolfville to a little restaurant that we had heard good things about.  The Naked Crepe was lovely.  But it was busy!  And with Covid and the restrictions it was a little slow and patience was needed.  We both had two savory crepes and it was huge and I couldn't finish the whole thing.

Since we enjoyed a lovely pear/kiwi cider from a local brewery called Annapolis Cider Company at this restaurant.  The brewery has a shop a few doors down.  I am greeted by a lovely lady who informs me they don't have any of the cider that I had at the restaurant but they have a nice strawberry mint cider.  Oh that sounds nice too.  Okay I will take two, then she recommends a hoppy pear cider.  Well why not!  

When we get back to the apartment we lug the wine up to the place.  Okay we have almost two full cases of wine - but still room for more in those cases.  We love wine and love that it is from Nova Scotia and it is so good.

Tonight we are dining Pete Luckette's Winery.  I will write more about it later.


Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Checkout then Touring Around the Bay



Another night of poor sleeping.  I was awake early. Like 5 am.  



Bernie woke around 8 and we enjoyed our coffee, then breakfast.

We showered and started packing up.  Sorry to say goodbye, but also excited to move on.  Would definitely stay here again. 



Not much happening in Harbourville


We were on the road by 1030.  I really wanted to hug the coastline.  First stop was Harbourview, then Hall's Harbour.  Check out the tides! Again the biggest tides are found here.





Twice a day the tides rush in and the harbour fills with water and these boats rise to the top of the wharf, then the tides go out and they sit on the bottom of the bay.


We stop for gas and a sandwich and head out to Blomindon Lookout.  We pull out our chairs and enjoy our lunch.  It is extremely hot, around 32!  






Back on the road we head north to Scot's Harbour.  An area settled by many nationalities.   Most of the French were forced out and replaced by British.






The views are breathless.  We stop at a beach and check out the pathway that moves with the tide.  In fact where we park there are warnings that during high tides the parking lot could be under water. 



Can you see the blue lobster body on the left.  Something attacked it and ate it.  It was huge!




We walk along the beach and I venture into the water.  It is extremely warm.  Bernie spots a lobster claw, it is huge!  Then the body is nearby, and the other claw.  Something attacked it.

 



We stop at a local cemetery and check out the gravestones.  Right beside us is a horse with her colt.  So beautiful.

Time to make our way to the airbnb.  

This one is actually on a golf course.  Bernie loves golf and we knew we wanted a place that was quiet.  

They greet us and we check in.  Here is the link to the Airbnb we stayed at.  Check out the view.



Remember if you haven't registered with Airbnb do it now by clicking on this link.  You will save on your next booking.

I am desperately in need of a nap.

I sleep for an hour and feel refreshed after it and a shower.

Bernie has arranged for a dinner at Le Caveau at the Grand Pre Winery.  Sorry I did not take any pictures at the restaurant as I was wanting to just enjoy the experience.

I am so excited.  A bottle of their wine is the start.  I have a Caesars salad and Bernie has some muscles.  For my entree I have local scallops with mushroom risotto.  Bernie has smoked trout, again local.  Amazing!

For dessert we share a coconut cream tart and some dessert wine from the winery.

Oh how I miss these amazing meals.  Sure we have good food, but fine meals, not so much.  It is  a nice treat.





We return to the Airbnb and take a seat on the deck watching the 9th hole.  We enjoy a bottle of wine and chat.  The sky sings.  Check out the sky.  Bernie is watching the highlights from the Canucks hockey game.

We are both tired.  Tomorrow is another day, and we look forward to exploring the area more.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Wednesday Aug 5 - National Parks and Wineries


Our goal was to get up early and get on the road by 9.  Well what do they say about best laid plans?  

At 4 am we were woken up by a spray of water.  What the F....  Bernie is closing the window and I am saying "what are you doing it is hot".  Then I realize it is down pouring!  The window is pushing a light spray of water onto us in bed.  Don't really want to close the window but we don't have a choice.  I quickly go around the place closing windows that face the storm.  The rest are fine.

The storm only last a few minutes and then I am back up opening the windows again.  It is warm and muggy, but I am glad for the rain as we needed it. 

Soon Bernie is fast asleep and I am wide awake!  I stayed up until around 7 and then fell back asleep.

Here is our routing for the day.



We are both up and making breakfast around 9.  A lovely breakfast and enjoying the stunning view of the Bay of Fundy.



We are on the road around 11.  We are heading to Port Royal National Park.  








Because of Covid the building is closed but we are free to walk around the site and we enjoy the information panels.  The site is stunning and we stop at the "iconic" National Park Red Chairs for a picture.






Next stop is Annapolis Royal.  On Wednesday there is a nice market.  We buy a few things - soap, spices, a piece of pottery.  The town is lovely!  Very quaint, very English, and not cheap!  Feels like a tourist town.  






Annapolis Royal is the site of Fort Anne.  Very historic.  The actual Officer's Barrack is closed - due to Covid but they still have the whole site open for people to walk around.  We explore and talk with a few of the park workers.  


It is very hot!  Thank Goodness there is a breeze off the water.  We pick up some iced coffees, explore the town and many of the artist studios.  But again it is pricey.

We are really not hungry yet after that big breakfast.  

I really want to try out some local wineries.





Our first stop is Bear Creek Vineyard.  Small, locally owned vineyard.  We are greeted right away and we request a tasting of some of their wines.  We end up walking out with some very reasonable priced wines - 3 to be exact.




Next stop is Casa Nova Winery.  Again it is very quiet, and it is a small locally run vineyard.  They have some wines on clearance and again they offer us a taste of any wine we wish.  We fall in love with a few and again we walk out of there with four bottles.  

By now we are getting hungry.  It is only 4:30 but the place that a friend recommended (thanks Jim) is now open.

We travel back East, closer to home, to Winemaker's Tavern and take a seat at their outdoor patio.



The server recommends a local cherry cider made by Casa Nova Winery.  Oh we were just there, yes please.  It is yummy and sorry I did not try it there as I am sure I would of bought some.  I will check out the local liquor store for them as I know I have not seen them in Cape Breton.


Our meal was amazing.  I had a grilled chicken burger that there is no way I could come close to finishing and just look at all those fries.  I left most on the plate.  But I did finish the cider.

Back at the Airbnb, we throw a load of wash in as I am not sure if we have a washer at our next place.

Bernie washes some fresh berries that he bought today and we open the bottle of Prosecco we got for our anniversary.  I am quickly writing up my blog so we can sit out on the back deck and enjoy it with him.

A piece of birthday cake and all is right with the world.

Tomorrow we check out and on to the next location.  Stay tuned.