Summer 2017, Part 2
The second half of summer was a whirlwind.
It took me to the Saguenay Fjord (north of Quebec City) for a leisurely horseback ride with my sister Katie. We covered a variety of landscapes - forest, village, swamp, field, fjord - and had us both reliving our younger years when we had a horse of our own. Currently scheming to own another.
From Quebec, a favourite Nova Scotian-woodcarving-roadtrip sidekick and I traveled through Maine to reach the coast for a woodworking course (see instructor Danielle Rose Byrd's work here). While in Maine, we explored beaches and small towns, ate a LOT of lobster, rode the mail boat to Isle au Haut, and generally raved about the state's coastal region.
Finishing up in Maine, New Brunswick called. My foremost reason to be in New Brunswick was to shoot a wedding (see the photos here) but the touring didn't end there. A day at Fundy National Park, a peek at Kouchibouguac National Park and a few days in Miramichi rounded out our days in NB before heading back to Quebec.
'Twas full, fast, friendly, and fun.
Summer 2017, Part 1
This summer started by spending 2+ weeks in the beautiful Eastern townships of Quebec where small farms make up a lot of the landscape.
Next I had a week in California for my cousin's graduation from UCLA which was followed by dips in Ocean Beach and lots of espresso (Sightglass, Andytown and Saint Frank to mention a few favourites).
After returning, my family celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday at home and spent time at my brother's barn (soon to be converted into a cool home).
Part 2 is still underway. Post coming!
Québec in October
Moving to Québec City, I've been spending lots of time exploring the old city by foot and roaming the province by Subaru. Here are some photos from my time so far:
Sheep, lochs, bagpipes, castles
Ireland and the UK did a fine job charming us Canadians who simply wanted to swim in the ocean and see a castle. We did both and more: hiking in Glencoe, swimming in the Scottish North Sea, fighting wind at Giant's Causeway, exploring castles on the Isle of Skye and getting acquainted with nosy sheep.
We drank more tea than water, willingly ordered haggis (more than once), and got to share it all with good, hearty company.
Mount Brandon, Ireland
Ross Castle
Muckross Lake, Ireland
Giant's Causeway, UK
Aberdeenshire, UK
Tillynaught, UK
Lossiemouth Beach, UK
Isle of Skye, UK
Armadale - Mallaig Ferry, UK
Glencoe, UK
Honister Pass, UK
Japan | 5 weeks of trains
My trip to Japan started with a week in Tokyo with my cousin. Together we hiked Mount Takao, slurped lots of ramen, walked, ate sushi at Tsukiji market, walked and got lost in Shibuya station.
After she left to return to California, Caitlyn (NZ travel companion) and her brother Shaun flew into Sapporo (on Hokkaido, Japan's northern island) where we met up to begin our month in Japan together. Our first stop was Niseko, a ski village heavily populated with Aussies. We had a day snowboarding at Grand Hirafu, thanks to rental gear and 100 yen shop "driving gloves" that we acquired the day prior. Hokkaido is known for its dairy products, and we can confidently attest to their excellent quality.
After Niseko, we made our way south traveling mainly on high speed bullet trains. We stopped in Sendai, Nagano, Fukui and then enjoyed some days in Kyoto. We all agree that Kyoto is special. It is history-rich and has a small feel that makes a person feel comfortable immediately. Although not planned, we managed to follow the cherry blossoms as they bloomed. Arashiyama delivered the blossoms exceptionally, which was helpful as we waited in a long lineup for... coffee. (Look up % Arabica Coffee.) After touring around Kyoto with great local guides/new friends, we headed to Hiroshima, Miyajima island, and onto Fukuoka. Hiroshima also sits in our top 5 cities. The Peace Memorial Museum is not to be missed, as are the many tributes placed all over the city. After making our way to Kyushu (Japan's large south island), we headed back to Tokyo for 5 days before flying south. Tokyo is an experience. We found it to be surprisingly quiet for its size and population. More eating and walking and getting lost.
Our last week in Japan was spent on Okinawa, one of many islands that make up the Okinawa Islands (or the "Hawaii of Japan"). Upon arrival, the increase in heat and the humidity were both felt and welcome. We rented a car for a few days and saw a lot of the island, swimming in both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Both were warmer than any ocean in Canada. After getting too much sun, we met up with friends in Naha city to enjoy 4 days together.
3 words for Japan: safe, clean, quiet. I will most definitely be back.
NZ continued
Ngarunui Beach, Raglan
On the walk up Mount Maunganui
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula
Hot air balloon festival, Hamilton
Portable leather shop takes to the Atlantic Ocean
Yesterday I took my leather projects to the ocean and finished up some leather bowls while perched on the rocky shore of Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia. Everything is better outside.
A week on The Island
75 minutes gets you from Nova Scotia to the island of Prince Edward by way of a drive-on ferry. As you approach the south port of Wood Islands, the famous red earth of PEI makes itself known in the form of cliffs, beaches and coastal roads. It is a pastoral paradise, lush with all shades of green this time of year.
I spent the last week touring PEI, keeping a home base on Point Prim and maintaining a daily helping of lobster, clams, crab and mussels. The south shore guarantees warm water and mostly red sand while the north shore offers whiter sand and slightly cooler waves. Both are recommended.
Be sure to visit the Chowder House and book in a clam dig with Happy Clammers both on Point Prim. Singing Sands Beach is not to be missed, especially when followed with a lobster supper in New Glasgow.
Forward still, to Nova Scotia.
After the trip from Winnipeg to Toronto, I decided to continue east. Three days later, I left Toronto and made my way to Nova Scotia to deliver a friends car. We started in Digby and took our time driving back - always along the shore road, whenever possible. Some highlights: an oceanside campsite at Rissers Beach, well-worn pickle recipes, handmade dories in Lunenburg, the LaHave Bakery, Peggy's Cove in the fog, oat cakes on Cape Breton, soap made by friends in West Arm and SO. MANY. BLUEBERRIES.
6000 kilometers later, I've seen my share of central and eastern Canada.
If I could, I'd keep going...
These images are from Nova Scotia's beautiful south shore; Rissers Beach, Crescent Beach, Queensland and Peggy's Cove.
One quarter Nova Scotian
I took a trip last week to Nova Scotia, one of the nicest places on the East coast of Canada. Every day brought a different fish to eat and a new reason to pull on my Blundstones.
Boiled down to five words, my week was: wind, wool, blizzard warnings, warmth, and Frenchy's.
These photographs were taken in Deep Brook, Point Prim, Mavillette Beach and Jordan Bay.
