Well…TODAY is the first day officially of the Fall season.
After the autumnal equinox, the days get shorter and the nights get longer. Traditionally it signified when the farmers bought in the harvest, which perhaps explains why the full moon nearest the equinox is often called the harvest moon.
This week, the days feel like Fall. Warm during the day and cool nights. Yesterday the most interesting phenomena appeared in the sky and lasted a few hours. A circle around the sun. Of course me being curious, I googled it!
Also known as a 22 degree halo or a sun halo, the ring is caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals in cirrus clouds within the Earth’s atmosphere, The crystals bend direct sunlight, projecting it elsewhere into the sky, and at a certain angle , 22 degrees — and a halo can be seen around the sun.
The days of summer are over!! And it’s getting cool/cold. So happy we spent yesterday morning at the beach…for breakfast.
Four ships! That’s right, four cruise ships in the Port of Halifax today. That’s a lot for a small port. And not only ships…PEOPLE!
I love cruising. It is one of my favourite ways to vacation. To be in our home province and in our city when there are 4 cruise ships visiting is exciting to me. I said to my husband if we lived right in the city I would want to work in  that industry somehow. It excites me. Actually tourism is so interesting and I love meeting and talking to people visiting our province and I absolutely love cruising, so the two put together would be a really fun job.
This year is a great year for the number of cruise ships coming to the Port of Halifax. Just look up Cruise Schedule for Port of Halifax and you will see. A lot of days 2 and 3 ships. Some days 4 and actually on October 1st there will be 5 ships. That is so terrific! So many people visiting our beautiful province.
We were in the city today and actually made a point of going to the Port and then went to the Dartmouth side to get a picture of all four ships together. Two Royal Caribbean ships, a Holland America ship, and our favourite a Norwegian Cruise Line ship ( the Dawn).
It’s a lot of fun to go down to the Pavilions on cruise ship days. It’s the only time the shops are open and I like browsing. We had a great day and even grabbed a late lunch at the Seaport market.
The back drop looks different when there is a cruise ship in port. Oh…to be cruising!!
Unique, unspoiled…tucked away at the end of a rocky beach. A trail that is 6.5 km round trip. It consists of marine, terrestrial and wetland ecosystems. Both sides  have steep cliffs and tidal pools, shale beaches and just AMAZING views along the shoreline. Just a perfect little walk for such a gorgeous afternoon!
And where is this unique place? It is Hirtle’s Beach And Gaff Point.
There is so much farming in Nova Scotia. The Annapolis Valley is prime land for farming from vineyards and orchards to huge fields growing our local produce, as well as livestock. But, all over the province there are so many farms, big and small, producing many of the delicious things we enjoy locally.
Today is Open Farm Day. Farms all over the province are open for tour where you can “meet the farmer”, see what’s taking place, do a “behind the scenes” tour, enjoy some samples (David’s favourite), and purchase products. A day to get out and ask questions!
So many to choose from. How do you decide which one (or two) to see? Well this time the Valley ones are off the list. We’ll do a valley run later in the week. But what local place would be interesting?
We made our choice, now it’s off to the FARM!!
1st Stop: Terra Beata Cranberry Farm on Heckman’s Island just outside of Lunenburg.Â
This farm is owned by David & Evelyn Ernst and their family and they have been here for 17 years. It’s a a 6 field-12 acre cranberry bog that produces the Stevens variety( larger) cranberry. It is a small farm that employs 20-30 people year round and produces 150, 000 lbs of cranberries per year. They also process and package cranberries, blueberries, cherries and haskap berries from other companies.
It was interesting to see the bog, and hear how it’s all started with vines that take 2 years before they bear fruit but once established produce for up to 100 years. So it really is a family investment. We toured the bog, saw the equipment that’s used to harvest the berries and then went inside the facility to see the cleaning station where the berries are cleaned and sorted and then the “cranberry kitchen” where all the tasty jars of salsa, jams, relishes, and chutneys are done. The recipes all the family’s own. We saw the processing and bottling area where they do the juices as well as the ovens where the dried cranberries are done. All so very interesting and the great part was that our particular tour guides were the young sons, very knowledgeable on every aspect of the business.
David’s favourite part of course was the sampling as well as browsing the “Bog Store” to purchase his favourites!
2nd Stop: Watershed Farm in Baker Settlement.
This was fabulous! This Organic Farm that has a little bit of everything was established by a former film producer from Toronto, Camelia Frieberg, who 15 years ago wanted to get out of the big city and raise her family. They bought the piece of land and started with what is now the studio. It is a small “cottage like” building made using straw bale as the insulation and with a wind generator and solar panels, they lived “off grid” for a few years. Their main house is also a straw bale home and now they have electricity, as well as a back up generator but still mainly use the wind and sun for their power.
I really could have listened to Camelia all day. She knows so much about growing things and has a little bit of everything at the farm. She explained composting. Who thought composting could be interesting? lol. And did you know you could put sheep’s wool in compost? We saw her flock of mixed heritage breed sheep, free range chickens and bee hives.  She grows just about every fruit and vegetable, with over 50 kinds of tomatoes, really interesting different things, edible flowers, garlic, grapes, grains, willow for fences and baskets, Jerusalem artichoke ( sort of looks like a small sunflower) for barrier and eating, watermelon, mini watermelons to pickle.  She also said there is a program called WWOOF~ World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or Willing Workers on Organic Farms, which is a national organization that facilitate placement of volunteers on organic farms. She has enjoyed participants from this program volunteer at her farm. I loved the tour and we made sure to bring home some different tomatoes. They taste just like candy!
We are so pleased with our two choices, but wished there was time for more. Ok two quick stops…very familiar places… Wiles Lake Farm Market and Indian Garden Farms to pick up a couple more items.
We will definitely try to visit more farms next year. What a great way to learn about the things we eat and pick up some delicious produce fresh right from the farm!!
September is my husband’s favorite time of year. It’s his Birthday month and it’s usually when he takes a vacation. He loves Fall. Nice warm sunny days ( not too hot) and cooler nights. Although this September we’ve still been running a bit of air conditioning.
Today is officially his first day of Vacay and PRIORITY for this week was a long bike ride! So this morning bright and early off he went with a fellow colleague…
LA TOUR de Honda Fury
First stop…Middleton in the Annapolis Valley. Coffee time, of course!
It was a beautiful Saturday and lots of picturesque places along routes in our province. Unfortunately getting pics proves difficult on a bike unless you are making lots of stops. For the most part they just enjoyed the ride!
And lunch at a great Turkish restaurant ( David said it was my kind of place and we would have to go sometime)
They had a great “tour” and it might have been nice to see a few more places, they both agreed that they are not “long distance” bikers. But then again this was the first long ride and maybe with a few more stops and (pictures for me lol) they would love it.
As promised back in May…Here is my second edition RESULTS page of the quest to find the BEST fish & chips places in Nova Scotia. As you know last summer we did this and in the Spring we decided there were just so many places we didnât get chance to try that we would do another post.
Fish & Chips is a staple food along the South Shore of Nova Scotia. We LOVE our fresh haddock. Â There are so many great spots along the coast where it is a feature on the menu. So just where is “the BEST”… the best tasting, the best presentation, the best value for your money?
If you want to check out last year’s list you can click on the link below:
And after lots of study and careful consideration…:) Here are the 2015 RESULTS
May 24~ The South Shore Fish Shack, Lunenburg …revisit
We were here last year, their first season open and we loved it. So back we went. Now this was only the second weekend open this year and once again we thought the fish was fabulous. Cooked to perfection and so delicious. They’ve switched up a bit from being served in boxes to served in baskets ( I like the boxes better) and they also switched from bottles of pop to fountain pop ( not a fan) I don’t drink pop but David does and he much prefers his COKE in a can or bottle, but hey they’ve got it right and serve COKE! The South Shore Fish Shack is wonderful and I know we will go back again. PLUS the view on a summery night is amazing!
May 30~ The Turkey Burger, Cookville ( just outside of Bridgewater)
I think Turkey Burger has got EVERY restaurant in the province beat for portion size. Their servings are HUGE!!!!! I remember eating at the Turkey Burger as a teenager…vanilla milkshake, cheeseburger and fries would be my order back then. Tonight I had a milk shake… and David & I ordered the 3piece fish & chips. The milkshake is large and made with real ice cream and so thick and delicious. And the three piece fish…well, we could feed our WHOLEÂ family with that order. The fish was fresh and flaky, so tasty good. This restaurant is a MUST for anyone visiting the area.
July 5~ revisit~Â We were impressed with Turkey Burger on May 30th, so when our nephew and his wife were visiting from Ontario we wanted to treat them. However, our second visit wasn’t quite as good. Portion sizes are huge…they were impressed! But the fish was a little overcooked and batter a bit greasy this time. I think I’ve tried enough fish & chips here and will try something different. BUT the milkshakes are THE BEST ( I had one again)
Our son and nephew enjoying the fish & chips đ
June 7~ The Wharf Wrap Restaurant, Eastern Passage
The Wharf Wrap Restaurant in Eastern Passage is located by Fishermen’s Cove. The restaurant itself is nothing to look at but we’ve heard rave reviews how their Fish & Chips are “the best” so of course, I wanted to go. We ordered the one piece and added a piece of fish to share. Just like last week at the Turkey Burger, portions are HUGE!!! We couldn’t believe it. How can these restaurants afford to serve such large pieces of fish. The batter on this fish was a little different. Its a cracker crumb/batter with “secret special seasonings” that only the owners know. I guess it’s a family secret that even the chef’s don’t know entirely. Well, it was different BUT oh so delicious!!! It is served with fries and their special pineapple flavour coleslaw. Once again we were not disappointed. YUM!!!
July 2~ Pearles in Paradise …revisit
This is always a favourite when we go to the valley. No complaints, just ALWAYS the same VERY good fish!! That’s why we go back.
July 2~ The Dockside, Digby
Not a fan! Digby is known for it’s scallops and they were delicious but we have had much better fish and chips. The best thing was the view, right on the waterfront, overlooking the scallop trawler fleet.
July 5~Â Lanes Privateer Inn, Liverpool
This was a pleasant surprise. A spontaneous  lunch stop with some of our family on the way through to the beach. I took took the opportunity to see what the fish & chips were like. They were REALLY good! Home cut fries with lightly battered fish. A perfect lunch, especially when enjoyed on their garden terrace!
July 7~ Acadian Fish & Chips, Hammond’s Plains Road
We have seen this restaurant on our way through to the airport, city or to David’s brother’s place and always comment we should try it! Vacation time is great for eating out. I love their decor outside, lighthouse and little fisherman. It’s a family owned and run business. They serve home cut fries and nice servings with a lemon wedge, tartar sauce and coleslaw. The service is super fast and they are very friendly. A great spot!
July 9~ The Battered Fish- Halifax Waterfront
It was ok. I love the waterfront so eating takeout with a view is so much fun BUT we’ve had better fish & chips.
July 10~ The Blarney Stone, On the 103 in Hebb’s Cross
A small licensed family dining restaurant that has been serving customers since 1983.  With a diverse menu offering east coast specialties such as fried clams, fish and chips and other great home style meals like hot sandwiches and burgers. This place is ALWAYS packed and it’s been years since we visited.
Like I said this spot is BUSY!!! The food is great. David & I shared the 4piece fish and chips which was enough for us. The fish was normal portions but lightly done, flaky and not greasy. The chips were just regular ( not hand cut, so nothing special) David did have a side of sweet potato fries which were delicious. A great little spot for good food!
July 18~ Tastee Freeze, Hebbville
This is not the place to get Fish & Chips, it’s a wonderful spot for soft serve ice cream. That being said we just wanted a quick take out of fish and chips to take to the waterfront in our town to enjoy and the Tastee Freeze is just 5 minutes away. We thought we’d give it a try. We’ll be back, we love this spot…but for ice cream!
August 2~ Food Truck Fish & Chips, Huey’s at Halifax Waterfront
Food Trucks set up at the Waterfront during the Busker’s Festival. We had to try Fish & Chips from one. Huey’s was the one that had fish & chips. The experience was cool. The chips were home cut fries which were excellent but the fish was way too much batter for the fish. Oh well…
August 15~ Food Truck Fish & Chips, Irene’s at Chester Yacht Club
Chester Race Week and Chester Village is a busy spot!! A few food trucks were there to help with the event and all the people. We finally got chance to go on Saturday the last day of the races, and had lunch at the yacht club overlooking the harbour so we could watch a bit of sailing. Our food truck choice…Irene’s. Again, not the best fish & chips around but we loved the atmosphere and relaxing lunch.
August 30~ AND for a third time this summer, revisit the Turkey burger in Cookville.
This time was much like the very first time we went. HUGE portions, cooked to perfections. Actually this time even though I didn’t take any pictures ( totally forgot) James, David and I shared the 3piece fish and chips and it was more than enough for lunch!! So I highly recommend this place. If for some reason it’s not quite what you expect the first time, give it a second chance. Now that this year’s Fish & Chips quest is finished, we need to try some of there other dishes! đ
So this year instead of going until middle of October with my search, we finished the end of August by returning to a favourite. I am just getting around to getting this blog post ready. There are still so many more places in our beautiful East Coast province that serve this delicious meal, and yes we will keep ordering “Fish & Chips” as we travel about. There are also some other tasty seafood dishes worth mentioning…chowders. lobster rolls, crab cakes, fish cakes, scallops, clams, mussels…hmm…next year I may be on a different quest.
We’re loving these gorgeous days in September and October before cold weather hits.  Hope you get chance to go for a nice drive and have lunch or dinner at a local spot.
Tonight really feels like we are getting in to Fall weather even though all week it has been so humid.
I think Nova Scotia is getting a little bit of Tropical Storm Henri but all the news networks say …
It looks like Nova Scotia will escape the effects of tropical storm Henri, which is expected to track east of Sable Island.
The storm has prompted gale warnings to be issued for the Laurentian Fan coastal region.Â
The passing storm is helping to slow down an unrelated weather front approaching from the west. The slow-moving nature of that system is still expected to bring some significant rain into areas of Nova Scotia, from Friday into Saturday.
Either way, it’s rainy and dark and feels quite like Fall tonight.
I snapped a couple pictures before the torrential rains!!!
Sandy Ocean Beaches, Lake Beaches, Rock Shore Beaches… Nova Scotia has some AMAZING Beaches! Nova Scotia Beaches aren’t known as “warm” beaches. Not like beaches in the Caribbean or South America that we’ve swam in BUT Nova Scotia has some of the most beautiful clean water beaches around and if you can brave the  cold ( or get a really nice warm  current in the middle of August) …you’ll see.
One thing on our list of “to see/do” this summer is checking out some of the”local” beaches. The ones closest  to home. Back to our favourites, some we haven’t been to for awhile and also some new ones that we’ve never been to.
So to start… I REALLY, REALLY wanted to go to Carter’s Beach! It was always a favourite of ours. A little distance to drive but ah… so lovely!
Fort Point Beach about 20 minutes from Bridgewater.
Risser’s Beach~ About 30 minutes from home. I love the boardwalk there.
Crescent Beach~ is close too, just before Risser’s and the beach that we go to the most. It’s great for walking, and it’s the ONLY beach around that cars can actually drive on the beach.
Feltzen South Beach~ a rocky beach especially when the tide is high. Supposed to be a great beach to find glass but we went at high tide, so we’ll have to go back. It was a beautiful view.
Rose Bay Beach…aka. Sand Dollar Beach
“The Beach” to find sand dollars in the area. Well, that is if you get there first BUT on a HOT, SUNNY beautiful Nova Scotia Saturday that’s kinda hard because many people, locals and tourists flock the beaches.
The tide was low and so the shore line long and ripply. We went for a drive and a walk along the beach with our “Goode Family” Â on reunion day. It’s not a beach to lay on the beach and tan but the water was warm like bath water to do a little wading and we did manage to find 3 sand dollars among our group.
Clam Harbour Beach~ 2hours away in Clam Harbour on the Eastern Shore
Home to the Annual Clam Harbour Sand Castle Competition. We went on “the” busiest day of the year. But I really wanted to see what made this beach famous. Unfortunately, it was so foggy and very crowded that we weren’t able to get a good view BUT the beach had wonderful sand, was very clean, and the sand castles were AMAZING, some of the best we’ve seen. Our son and his fiance were there on a different day (far less busy) and this beach is one I definitely would like to visit again. Â And this beach…if you’re lucky…you’ll see starfishes!
And just so you can see what a beautiful beach it is…here are a couple of Andrew & Kristina’s pics
Queensland Beach~ Hubbards
Queensland Beach was one of the original 15 beaches first supervised by the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service in 1973. Queensland Beach Provincial Park is situated in the South Shore region, along a beautiful coastal drive.  Although not large, it is one of the most popular on the South Shore. The warm air and sand draw large crowds on hot days in July and August.
Well, it’s the week after Labour Day and even though we still have a week vacation in September we probably won’t get chance to do anymore beach exploring. Â If we do it will be back to a familiar one, one that is close. So…with all the amazing beaches here, I guess I’ll just have to do another post next summer.
Today is the first day of class for many high schools in the province, and tomorrow the elementary classes start. I miss this exciting time of year. Either to be teaching, or especially the first day for my kids heading back to class. Alas…the years go by quickly!
Well, James is still in school ( finishing up a business course this year), but this week he’s on a much needed vacay and doesn’t go back to class until after the long weekend.
On this first day of class and a brand new year of possibilities…
I am sending you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils…
After the autumnal equinox, the days get shorter and the nights get longer. Traditionally it signified when the farmers bought in the harvest, which perhaps explains why the full moon nearest the equinox is often called the harvest moon.
Here’s to a new season!
Just An East Coast Girl 