Nova Scotia Sep 10 - 14

Sep 10 - we headed northwest from Dartmouth towards the Bay of Fundy, Denis had a winery all scoped out. We arrived at Avondale Sky winery just as they opened at 11:00, a bit early but we forced ourselves to taste a couple wines. The tasting room is an old church that was moved to the site by floating it down the river on a barge. We continued on from there to Grand Pre where we camped in the Land of Evangeline campground. After lunch we continued our touring in Sandra's car, went to Blomidon winery and stopped in Medford for ice cream and to watch the tide recede, at least 15 feet while we were there. On our afternoon tour we went to Kentville and had beer in a bar in the former Cornwallis Inn, which in the 1930's was a grand CP hotel. It's now being used as offices and businesses on the main and lower floors and apartments upstairs. There are glimpses of its former grandeur but kind of shabby. We stopped at the Wolfville Farmer's Market for supper and bought lovely homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers. We wandered around and took pictures of the beautiful old buildings of Acadia University then back to the campground to check out the tide flats at Evangeline Beach.

Bearded Birdhouses in Canning

Clock Tower, Kentville with Cornwallis Inn in the background

Sep 11 - we started our day a few miles down the road at the UNESCO World Heritage/National Historic site - the Landscape of Grand Pre where  the Acadians dyked and drained 2745 acres of tide flats. After 2 to 3 years it was naturally desalinated and became very fertile land. The basic premise of the valves they used is still used today although the materials have changed. And then the English deported them. We were back to Wolfville and after a few issues with parking the truck and trailer we went  to Paddy's Brew Pub for lunch. We continued the trek westward and with some difficulty found our way onto CFB Greenwood to visit the Aviation Museum. Leaving Greenwood we continued to Dunromin Campground, just outside Annapolis Royal and we are done roaming for 3 days and will do day trips from here.

The church at Grande Pre, reclaimed land and Cape Blomidon in the background

Sep 12 - we went into Annapolis Royal and visited Fort Anne, it is just as beautiful as I remember from 15 years ago and the weather was a bit better. Sandra and I walked around the historic old town while Denis finished his visit to the fort. We had squash and apple soup for lunch, very tasty. Sandra and I visited the Historic Garden and Denis found the German bakery and bought pretzels and rye bread (which is hard to find in the Maritimes). On the way back to the campground Denis and Sandra visited the Tidewater Power Generating facility which we see across the river from the campground.

Oh look, another cannon

Sep 13 - we started the morning at the Annapolis Royal Farmer's Market, they had lots of fresh veggies, bread and other baked goods and crafts,even a winery and distillery. After we stocked up we headed to Port Royal to visit the recreated French 'habitation' from 1605. We really enjoyed our visit especially the knowledgeable costumed interpreters. After lunch we headed to Digby and then drove down the 'neck' to Westport on Brier Island, taking 2 ferries in the process. Denis and I did a short, steep hike (256 stair steps included) to see the Balancing Rock. Then it was back to Digby for a supper of their famous scallops.



Not sure if this one's a big gun or small cannon

Balancing Rock, it's on the lee side of the island

Tomorrow it's on to Yarmouth.