Scotland: Harris Peat Harvesting

Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

June 26, 2012

A close up shot of peat harvesting from one of our many jaunts between Tarbert and Leverburgh.  I can still smell that acrid peat smoke in my nose!  

This was a common site in the Hebrides, where many people still heat their homes with peat.  

Here's a short video that illustrates the process.

Two bald eagles, sittin' in a tree

Riverport, NS

Oct. 18, 2012

F-I-S-H-I-N-G.  Actually, they were just sitting there, enjoying the amazing, warm Fall day.  What a beaut!

What's on this weekend? Turkey! Corned Beef! Kohl Canon! Chowdah!

Sorry early risers, no breakfasts this weekend.  Thankfully, no shortage of suppers!

I get the odd person wandering to my blog after searching for "Kohl Canon".  Since there's the annual Kohl Canon supper happening this weekend, I'll just re-scrape this explanation from an older blog post:

"Kohl Cannon can be made in various ways, depending on whether you are Irish, German, or Scottish. No matter how it is made, the eating of Kohl Cannon was a common custom on Halloween. In it would be buried, well wrapped in waxed paper or foil for today's world, 4 favors. A penny (for wealth), a button (for poverty), a ring (for marriage, and a matchstick (for spinsterhood). Much excitement was aroused, especially among the young lassies who were hopeful that the Kohl Cannon would foretell their future happiness! This recipe is the Scot's Way!" 

Also, this interesting Wikipedia entry for Colcannon.
The awesome Colcannon song!:

"Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make?"

The chorus:

"Yes you did, so you did, so did he and so did I.
And the more I think about it sure the nearer I'm to cry.
Oh, wasn't it the happy days when troubles we had not,
And our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot."


Suppers

Saturday, October 27
Annual Women's Institute Turkey Supper
North Brookfield Community Hall,
4:30- 6:30 p.m. 
Complete turkey dinner with pie and sweets for dessert. 
Adults $12, children 5-12 $6, under 5 free.

Saturday, October 27
Kohl Canon Supper,
Basement of St. John's Church, Chester Basin, 
4:30- 6:30 p.m. 
Ham, baked beans, brown bread and rolls, apple crisp for dessert. 
Adults $10, child 5- 12 $3, under 5 free. 
Takeouts available

Saturday, October 27
Turkey Casserole & Dessert Buffet 
Brooklyn Baptist Church
5:30 P.M.
Tickets: $10.00
Proceeds for Church Purposes 

October 28
Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper
Hebbs Cross fire dept.
4-6:30 p.m. 
Includes dessert, tea and coffee
Adults $10; children 5-12 $5; under 5 free.
Everyone welcome.

October 28
St. James Lutheran Annual Soup and Chowder Supper,
Branch LaHave community hall. 
Rolls, apple crisp with ice cream and beverage included.
4-6 p.m. 
Adults $8; children $2; under 5 years free. 

Love where you live

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Oct. 19, 2012

Love the bands of colour, light and shadows in this one.  I shouldn't need to remind myself to walk down the road and soak in this vista, but I do.  

The Big Ex: Laughing the Day Away

The Big Ex Dining Hall

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

These two women were having a good time serving up a delicious corned beef dinner this summer at The Big Ex.

A little levity at the workplace sure goes a long way!

The Big Ex at Night

The Big Ex

Bridgewater, NS

July 25, 2012

After a riveting evening of watching miniature pony races, I snapped this shot from the stands before leaving the exhibition grounds.  

My favourite fish and chips stand is in the foreground: Italy Cross and Middlewood Fire Department!

What's on this weekend? Many breakfasts! Salt cod! Roast Beef! Baked Ham! Sauerkraut!!!!

Breakfasts

Sat. Oct. 20
Bridgewater Fire Hall

7-11 am
Eggs, bacon, beans, toast, hasbrowns, coffee, tea, juice.
Only $6 for adults; 12 and under $3; 5 and under eat for free. Come, bring your friends AND your appetite!
Takeout available

October 20

Parkdale/Maplewood Hall

7-10:30 a.m. 

Home smoked bacon, eggs, homemade pancake with pure maple syrup, sausage, toast, juice, tea and coffee. 

Adults $7, Youth $3.50, under 5- free. 

Information, Joanne 644-2877.

October 20, Saturday: 

Riverport and District Firemen's Breakfast, 

7:30- 11:30 a.m., 

Usual menu, 

$7 adults; $3 children 6- 12; children 5 and under free.

Saturday, October 20

Fireman's Breakfast. 

Petite Riviere fire hall,

8- 11 a.m. 

Full menu, adults $7, under 12 $3, under 5 free. 

Information 688-2117

Sunday, October 21

Chelsea Fireman's Centre,

7:30 until 10:30 a.m. 

Adults $7, children 5 and over $3.50, under 5 free. 

All proceeds for the Chelsea and District Fire Department.

Suppers
Oct 20 - 

Blandford Community Centre Saltcod Supper, 

4:30- 6 p.m., 

$12/person.

Saturday, October 20

Harvest Supper and Sale,

Holy Trinity Anglican Church hall, 78 Alexandra Ave., Bridgewater, 

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. 

Adults $10, children 12 and under $6, under 5 free. 

Menu: Baked ham, scallop potato, baked beans. 

Tickets at door or call 543-2651, 543-9959 or 543-1357

Saturday, October 20

Roast Beef Supper.

St. James Anglican Parish Hall, Mahone Bay

4:30- 6:30 p.m. . 

Adults $10, children 5- 12 $5, under 5 free. 

Takeouts available

Sunday, October 21

Oktoberfest Sauerkraut Supper,

Forties community centre, 1787 Forties Road, New Ross. 

4-6 p.m. Doors open at 4 serving starts 4:30

Sauerkraut, sweet pickled pork, mashed potatoes, dessert. . 

Adults $10; 5-12 $5; under 5 $2.50. 

Sponsored by Canadian Heritage. 

Entertainment by "Notes from Home" Myrna Reeves, Richard Eldridge and Agnas Clinton. 

Call 689-2612 or 689-2000 for information.

Iceland: June 29, 11 pm

Reykjavik, Iceland

June 29, 2012

11 pm local time

This is what 11 pm looked like wayyyy up north in Iceland on June 29th.  Barely a week after the longest day of the year, sunset is a relative term.

Technically, the sun set ~midnight that day and rose at ~ 3 am.  In between those hours, there was enough daylight to read a paper outdoors!

A sleeping mask was a must, I noticed many apartments with tinfoil in the windows.  I'm assuming it was used to block out the daylight.  Perhaps there are some people trying to block HAARP  signals or mind control rays as well?  

I'm so glad we got to experience continuous daylight as a part of our trip.  By the end of our journey, it was starting to fry my brain a little bit.  Our first night back in Nova Scotia came with a welcome sunset and them beautiful stars in the sky.

What's on this weekend? ANOTHER breakfast in L'burg, Fall luncheons and horse/oxen plowing!

Lunenburg lucks out with another breakfast this Saturday.   Or, drive out to Blandford and grab some early morning grease.

Fall is in the air, there are a couple luncheons to fit the season including one in First South to celebrate the 125th year of their little church.  Congrats!

I hope I can check out the horse/oxen plowing competition, sounds interesting!

Breakfasts

Saturday, October 13
Served by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at Central United Church hall, Lincoln St., Lunenburg,

7:30- 11:30 a.m. 

(Take-outs are available) 

Adults $7, children (6-12), $3.50, children (5 and under) free. 

Menu: Eggs, hash browns, bologna, bacon, juice, sausages, beans, tea, coffee and toast. 

Come enjoy a good breakfast and fellowship with your family, friends and neighbours.

Oct 13

Blandford Community Centre breakfast, 

9- 11 a.m., 

$6/person.

Teas/Luncheons

Saturday, October 13

First South United Church Soup Luncheon. 

Celebrating our 125th year

11:30 - 1 p.m. 

Soups & chowders, desserts & variety of cakes. 

Price $8. Everyone welcome.

October 13

Harvest Luncheon and Sale,

Wesley United Church Hall,Petite Riviere,

12-2pm, 

Adults $9.00,Children under 12 $4.00,age 5 and under free. 

Variety of Casseroles,salads,pie and ice cream. 

Silent Auction,Bake Table and Flea Market Table. 

Proceeds for the UCW

Community Events

October 13

South Shore Plowing Competition, 

680 Waterloo Rd,

Starting at 9 a.m. 

Horse and oxen classes. 

Spectators welcome. 

For information call Lyndon at 685-2938

Full of Fall Foliage

Site D

Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

October 8, 2012

Last weekend was a gorgeous last gasp of mild weather.  Camping at Site D was a lovely way to spend Thanksgiving with friends.

I am greatly saddened and frustrated by the Federal Conservative Party's gutting of the National Park system.  Not only does it impact me and my friends who regularly frequent the park between Oct. 9th and May 24, but also my friends who are employed at the park.  

Anecdotal accounts suggest that the science research program at Keji has been gutted.  I hope that is not the case.  Park staff used to visit local schools to educate children about wilderness appreciation, forest biology, etc..  Apparently Environment Canada funding for that program (controlled by ex-Global news anchor Peter Kent) has also been cut.

Please consider helping non-profit group efforts such as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.  We are witnessing the dismantling of our shared parks heritage.  Their 2012 parks report is particularly disturbing. 

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but them's the facts.

Scotland: Isle of Harris....wait, this is Scotland?

Somewhere on the A859 between Tarbert and Leverburgh

Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

June 26, 2012

When I imagined travelling to Scotland, my mind was filled with images of craggy highlands, mountain tops enshrouded in fog, scotch broom and heather and other regional stereotypes.  I did not expect turquoise waters and white sand beaches!

Such are the delights that await you if you travel to the Outer Hebrides.  Well, the Western shore of the Isle of Harris in this case.  

The drive along the A859 is a windy affair of single track road from Tarbert to Leverburgh. After climbing up the rocky hills from Tarbert; where you can witness peat being 'harvested', you descend to the coast and are greeted with vistas like this.  I tried to stop uttering travel brochure cliches such as: "awesome", "breathtaking", "a symphony of colour", etc. but it was a losing battle.  I was happy to concede to the amazing Scottish countryside.

When we weren't gazing out at the sea, we were keeping our eyes peeled for sheep.  Sheep on the hills, in the ditches, on the shoulder of the road and....in the road.  As you can imagine, we sampled various cuts of lamb during our stay in Scotland.  Delicious!

I have a feeling there are other pockets in the Hebrides that are equally stunning. I feel fortunate that I was able to experience this one.  I never did get in the water, though...Next time!

St. Norbert's Big Breakfast Review

St. Norbert's Big Breakfast

United Church Hall

Lunenburg, NS

Oct. 6, 2012

Another first for me, this weekend was my first nosh at the infamous St. Norbert's Big Breakfast!  Even the people who sat near me couldn't believe it was my first one.  But I digress.

While this breakfast is hosted by the local Catholic church, in a demonstration of inter faith cooperation, it is held at the nearby United church hall.  Awww, group hug!

Similar fare as the Riverport fireman's breakfast.  You are presented with a choice of eggs (pick a style, they'l probably make 'em), pancakes, beans, sausage, bacon and toast.  I wasn't planning on a large amount of physical activity that day so i got a relatively 'small' plate.  My physician might disagree with that assessment.

Cheerful staff quickly attended to me with a platter of juice glasses.  The small kind that you'd imagine used in psych wards.  I went for the cranberry sugar nectar rather than the usual offerings of apple or orange juice.

I dutifully filled out my order with the supplied pencil and waited for my grub.

The man opposite me queried me on my county origins.  Once I established my Lun. County 'street cred', we traded notes about Simpson's Corner, home to his grandparents.  This was neither his first, nor his last Big Breakfast.  I could have been the only first timer in attendance that morning.

It was a who's who of Lunenburg, several entrepreneurs and 'mompreneurs' were spotted as well as mayoral candidate Ron Stockton and many other familiar faces about town.

The grub was hot and greasy, as advertised.  The beans had a nice touch of sweet to 'em and the bacon was crispy.  I could've handled a little more 'toast' to my toast, but the soft bread made it easy work to sop up my runny yolks.

I managed to get a shot of mission control, though in retrospect I wish I had taken some shots that showed more of the wood panelled wall that surrounded their cooking nook:

All in all, a respectable entry in the community grub category.  A welcome way to spend a Saturday...morning.

What's on this weekend? Breakfast, it's what's for dinner (and breakfast). Also, Turkey!

Start prepping your stomach for a Thanksgiving dinner with several Saturday morning breakfasts held all over this great county of ours.  

Do you loooove turkey?  Then head across the county line to Caledonia for a turkey supper (Saturday).

Sunday's lone event is a breakfast in Vogler's Cove, sounds like fun for the whole fam damily.

Breakfasts

Saturday, October 6, 

Italy Cross, Middlewood and district fire hall, 

7- 11 a.m. 

Adults $6; children 5-12, $3. 

Everyone welcome.

Saturday, October 6

Pinehurst hall,
7 - 11 a.m., 

Adults $7, 5-12 $3, under 5 free. 

Proceeds for the hall.

October 6

Chester Basin Fire Hall

7:30-10:30 a.m.

Various menu selections.

Saturday, October 6

St. Norbert's Big Breakfast

Central United Church Hall, Lincoln St, Lunenburg. \

Enjoy eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and beans with beverage of your choice. 

$7, children $4

Sunday, October 7., 

Pumpkin Fest, 

Vogler's Cove hall/playground. Breakfast, 

8 -10. Hash browns, ham, eggs, toast, beverages, $6; 5-12, $3; under 5 free. 

Pumpkin weigh-off 10:30. 

Activities to follow

Suppers

Saturday, October 6

Turkey Supper, 

4:30-7 p.m

Caledonia United Church

All home-made food,

Adults $12; children $6; under 5 free.

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

The Big Ex: Demolition Derby

Bridgewater, NS

July 29, 2012

You are looking at the aftermath of the 6 cylinder class at this year's demo derby at The Big Ex.  This car won the 'most crushed' award...or was it 'best crush'?  

Believe it or not, the car in the ring is not a Smart Car or a hatchback. It is actually a Pontiac Grand Am!  Take a peek at a 'before' shot from an earlier post to compare.

As per usual, the local boys are keeping the Dukes of Hazzard alive with their tribute to the General Lee in the foreground.  (._.)

Scotland: Leverburgh Sunset

Isle of Harris, Scotland

June 25, 2012

It was hard to take a poor shot of the sunset that evening in the Outer Hebrides. The sky turned a gorgeous shade of pink as we kept snapping shot after shot.

I'm unclear if I was in Strond or Leverburgh.  I was staying here with friends who had just been married the day before.  It is located on the Southern coast of the Isle of Harris. 

Harris is known for it's gorgeous beaches, with their white quartz sand and turquoise waters.  Stunning is an understatement.   The Blacksheep House was an incredible venue for a wedding.  Much swankier than the historic blackhouses we visited later in our trip.  This one was not filled with acrid peat smoke which was nice.

Stay tuned for more shots from our trip to Scotland and Iceland

Iceland: Hveragerði hot springs

Hveragerði, Iceland

June 29, 2012

Who are these masked marauders? Don't worry, they're not viking invaders, just a large group of tourists on a horseback tour of the excellent hot springs of Hveragerði!

The hot springs are an easy hike into the nearby hills. I'd recommend going on a guided tour on your first excursion, mostly so you know where to go (and step) and where to avoid. Take a wrong turn and you could find yourself scalded in the geothermal heated waters!

Our destination was not far from where this photo was taken. You can see the steam rising from the nearby geothermal stream. Upstream from this location, a glacial fed stream and a geothermal stream meet and flow downhill. As our guide suggested, if you find the temperature too hot, simply wander downstream until the water temperature cools to your liking. He estimated the water temp. at 42 C, pretty toasty! 

The area of Hveragerði was one of the first areas in Iceland to harness geothermal heat. Settlers built their homes nearby (and sometimes above) geothermal heated waters. I'm sure the appeal of using naturally heated water for warming their homes, washing, baking and cooking was hard to resist. There are many greenhouses in the area, which harness the natural abundance of heat, the first of which date back to 1929.

Visiting this area was one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland. If you find yourself in Iceland, do yourself a favour and check it out!