What's on this weekend?

A small number of events this long weekend.  

A trip to Ross farm might be fun if you and your kin are interested in wood punching, quill pen writing, taffy pulling, candle dipping , cow milking, and blacksmithing.

Have a great and safe long weekend everyone!

Breakfasts

August 31, 

Royal Canadian Legion #23, Lunenburg, 

7:30-11:30 a.m. 

Adults $8; ages 5-12, $4. 

Takeout available for pick-up $8.50. 634-4215

Community Events

August 31, 

WALDEN SUMMER BASH 

3- 10 p.m. 

Games of Chance, Auction, Bake Table, Bingo, Canteen, Live Entertainment, Yard Sale and Food Pit. 

For more information contact Richard at 644-3460 or walden.firedepartment@gmail.com

Aug 31 - Sept. 2

Ross Farm Family Participation Days

Info on Ross Farm's site

Ross Farm Museum Hops to It

A couple views of the delicious hop vines growing at Ross Farm Museum:

Ross Farm Museum

Ross Farm, NS

Aug. 25, 2013

Ross Farm Museum

Ross Farm, NS

Aug. 25, 2013

Check out this *.pdf on Garrison's site (takes a while to load, be patient) which describes how these hops make their way into Garrison's Hopyard Pale Ale which features wet (fresh) hops grown right here on the South Shore.

This article is interesting and so is the comment thread.

I'm loving the craft brewing activity in Nova Scotia.  From Boxing Rock in Shelburne to Bridge Brewing in Halifax it seems like every time you turn around, another great micro brewery pops up.  Long may this tradition continue!!! 

10th Annual Maritime Hand Mowing Championships

The 10th annual Maritime Hand Mowing Championships were held at Ross Farm last weekend and what a glorious weekend it was!  Saturday's events included scythe sharpening and peening workshops as well lots of hand mowing tips and tricks.

Sunday was the main event, with novice classes competing in the morning and the well attended open class in the afternoon.  Before the afternoon festivities, there was an excellent and delicious lunch on offer.  If I heard correctly, this is a Yorkshire pig, which was roasted whole over a propane/charcoal mix.  The pork rinds/cracklin's were amazing.

Roast Pig BBQ!!!

Competitors were judged on 4 criteria:  Time to mow strip, width of swath taken, height of stubble (lower is better) and evenness of stubble height across the swath.

The wind was sporadic which made for a sweaty and hot afternoon.  18 people competed in the open class before a decent sized crowd of ~50 onlookers.  I was surprised I did not hear the phrase, "ready, set, MOW" all afternoon. Was I the only one uttering that phrase to myself?

I wish I had taken a break from the action to see the resident cooper in action, but that will have to wait for another visit to Ross Farm.

I hope you enjoy my captures from the afternoon.  Check out Ross Farm's events page for upcoming activities.  This weekend's family participation days look like a lot of fun for young and not-so-young folks.

A couple young whippersnappers check out a human whipper snipper.

Attendees and competitors taking in the action.

Ross Farm Wheat.  To paraphrase W.P. Kinsella , if you grow it, they will come.

A judge watches a competitor reach the end of his strip.

A wide swath!

DvL publisher and founder, Dirk Van Loon (left), chats with competitors.

Kingsburg Kloud

Kingsburg, NS

Aug. 23, 2013

Interesting light on this 'spaceship of a cloud' spotted at sunset.  

I love the light blue against the pink and darker blue/grey in the background.

Upper Kingsburg Blue Moon

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Aug. 20, 2013

As I was heading to bed, I looked outside and though I had left the outdoor light on...turns out it was just this gorgeous blue moon illuminating the yard.  Divine.

How cold is that ocean?

FREAKING COLD!

Current temp @ Hirtle's Beach:

A frigid and at times painful, 10 C.  

BOOOOO!

What's on this weekend? Planked halibut!! Roast Pork! HAND MOWING CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!

This year, I am determined to make it to Ross Farm to take in the hand mowing championships.  Looks like a lot of fun.  

Check out these posts of previous Conquerall Bank Planked Halibut suppers.  Don't forget to head behind the hall to see the halibut being cooked before open flames.

Have a great weekend everyone, wherever you are!

Breakfasts

Saturday, August 24

Newfie Breakfast,

Chester Basin Legion

7:30-10:30,

Menu selections and take-out available.

Saturday, August 24, 

Firemen's Breakfast, 

United Communities Fire Hall, Cherry Hill. 

8- 11 a.m. 

Adults $7, 5- 12 years $3.25, under 5 free.

Community Events

Aug. 24 & 25th

10th Anniversary Maritime Hand Mowing Championships

Ross Farm

New Ross, NS

More info available on Ross Farm's site and this one page from ACORN.  This article from Atlantic Farmer has some great images from previous competitions

Suppers

Saturday, August 24

Pork Roast Supper,

Midville & district fire hall

4- 6 p.m.

Adults $10; 12 years and under $5; under 5 free. 

Tickets sold at door. 

Blueberry grunt and sweets for dessert.

August 25
Planked Halibut Supper; 

Conquerall Bank fire hall.

4:30-6:30 p.m. 

$15 adults, $6 children and under 5 free. 

Seating area inside while you wait. Wheelchair accessible.

Sappyfest 8: So many loafers

Sackville, NS

Aug. 4, 2013

Living outside of 'the city', I am blissfully unaware of the latest fashion trends.  Here's what the hipster set seem to dig:

• Loafers for the gents
• High waisted short shorts for the ladies.

Best twitter comment of the weekend courtesy of @dropthebeat, an accurate summary:  

"Sappyfest fashion tip.  My mom in 1992"

If we regress any further it's going to be stirrup pants and gummy shoes for everyone!  *shudders*

Sappyfest 8: It's only a flesh wound!

Sappyfest 8

Sackville, NS

Aug. 4, 2013

Sappyfest 8

Sackville, NS

Aug. 4, 2013

Cardboard knight battles and bicycle jousting were on offer at this free patch of grass off the Bridge St..  The bicycle jousting was very fun, I'm sure the paper horse head on the bike improved my performance. ;-)

I'm glad we took Andrew up on his offer to "suit up".  I wonder if the young onlookers enjoyed the show as much as those who participated?  Too cool for school, I guess.

My God, it's full of clouds...

Rose Bay, NS

Aug. 5, 2013

One of those special shots, no filters, no adjustments.  I'm so glad I took 3 minutes to pull over and snap a shot of this scene, simply luverly.

What's on this weekend? Horse & ox pulls! Sailboats! Eco fair! Blueberries!!

Several festivals on this weekend, if you are anywhere in the Bridgewater to Chester area, there's something happening this weekend. ^_^

For those who have been searching for the date of the upcoming Conquerall Bank planked halibut supper, it's next Sunday (Aug. 25th).

Breakfasts

August 17 

Firemen's Breakfast 

Petite Riviere Fire Department Hall

$7 per person

Community Events

August 16 & 17

New Ross Community Fair

Schedule of events here

Aug 14 - 17

Chester Race Week

Official site

Aug 13- 17

Growing Green Festival

Bridgewater, NS

Official site

Suppers

Saturday, August 17

Blueberry Supper, 

St. Jerome's Church Hall, West Caledonia,

4:30- 7 p.m. 

Adults $10; under 12 $5; under 5 free.

August 25

Planked Halibut Supper; 

Conquerall Bank fire hall.

4:30-6:30 p.m. 

$15 adults, $6 children and under 5 free. 

Seating area inside while you wait. Wheelchair accessible.

Construction & Destruction || Klarka Weinwurm || COUSINS - Broad Cove Hall Show - Aug. 7

Lahave River Sunset

Aug. 7, 2013

The evening started with a glorious sunset as we crossed the Lahave river.  As we neared the Lahave side, the light was shining through the staff cabin, time to snap another shot:

Lahave Ferry

Aug. 7, 2013

True to the organizers' word, the bands started at 8 pm.  None of the usually silly 'show starts at 10 (but really starts at midnight) business' that happens in the big city!  We caught the tail end of the first set, by Port Greville natives: Construction & Destruction.  A raucous affair with plenty of screams straight from the diaphragm. I missed their set at Sappyfest the previous weekend, knowing that they would be in my neck of the woods the following week. The recently released a split with COUSINS, available through noyes records.  I feel silly that I just realized the name of the label is no|yes, not one word that I was failing to pronounce correctly:

Construction & Destruction

Broad Cove Hall

Aug. 7, 2013

Sadly, none of my shots of Klarka's set turned out very well.  She played a quieter set, backed up by none other than Jon McKiel on drums.  There were some funny moments, mostly after how does this one go questions from Jon.  Klarka's voice drifted out of the hall over the wild rose bushes like a cool summer breeze.  Klarka was also joined by her friend, songwriter and fellow South Shore resident, Rebecca Zolkower for a couple of songs.  I couldn't hear her very well, but when her voice did waft through the p.a. system, the harmonies were a nice addition to Klarka's songs.

Last up for the evening were COUSINS, back for another South Shore rampage.  The crowd were warmed up at that point...party from the bevvies, partly from the smoke breaks and the constant moving in the hall to keep them durn skeeters at bay (there were LOTS)!  By the end of their set folks finally started dancing.  Most of their songs were new to me, a departure from some of their earlier work but enjoyable nonetheless.  Aaron's falsetto and reverb drenched guitar riffs were matched by Leigh Dotey's rock steady drum pounding.  This shot captures some of her enthusiasm for that ride cymbal, BRING IT LEIGH!:

COUSINS

Broad Cove Hall

Aug. 7, 2013

Sadly, the ferry schedule and bedtime were calling so we ran off before the very last song of the night. Our  minds and souls were full of good music and friends.  Thanks to Klarka and all organizers for hosting the event and to the visiting bands for making the trek down the shore.  It is much appreciated!

Newfounland: Hard as #$@&

Trout River, NL

June 19, 2013

Nothing says thug like a fishing wharf/wharehouse....who knows, maybe they meant 'tug life'?  That's how it's probably pronounced on the rock, right? ;-)

What's on this weekend? Maple breakfast! Chowdah! Blueberries!!!!

A lighter selection this weekend.  Unless you live under a rock, you know that the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival is happening this weekend, right?!?

Have a good one, stay dry out there, folks!

Breakfasts

August 10

Parkdale/ Maplewood hall,

7- 10:30 a.m. 

Pancakes, local maple syrup, sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, juice, tea, coffee. 

Adults $7; youth $3.50; under 5 free. 

Proceeds for hall. Information: Joanne 644-2877

Teas/Luncheons

Sunday, August 11

St. Norberts Seafood Chowder/Soup Lunch. 

Central United Church hall, Lunenburg, 

11:30 - 2 p.m

$10, $8. 

Roll, dessert, beverage included.

Take out available.

Suppers

Sunday August 11th

Blueberry Supper

Forties Community Centre 1787 Forties Road, New Ross

4-6pm Doors open at 4 serving starts 4:30

Hodgepodge, Chicken & a variety of blueberry desserts  

Adults $11.00, 5-12 $5.50, Under 5 $2.50 

Call 689-2612 or 689-2000 Centre for information

Ridiculous Riverport Sunset

Riverport, NS

July 3, 2013

Somebody pinch me.  Yet another reward for fishing just before dusk, a sunset view up the Lahave river that looks unreal.  Soak it in.

Newfoundland: Wonderful Western Brook Pond

Western Brook Pond

Gros Morne National Park, NL

June 20, 2013

I could fill up a post full of travel brochure cliches to describe the stunning vistas one can view on the Western Brook Pond boat tour.  I'll let the image speak for itself.

If you find yourself in Gros Morne, do yourself a favour and take the boat tour of the park, it is worth every penny.

What's on this weekend? Breakfasts (of course!) Folk Art! Sharks!!!

It's a breakfast and community event kind of weekend.

Head down to Riverport to see a shark, maybe catch some mackerel from the wharf.

Lunenburg is your folk art destination on Sunday.

Port Medway is has an art show all weekend.

Enjoy!

Breakfasts

August 3, 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. 

Next breakfast September 21.

Saturday, August 3, 

Italy Cross, Middlewood and District fire hall, 

7 - 11 a.m. 

Adults $7, children 5-12 $3.50. 

Everyone welcome.

August 3, 

Country Breakfast. 

Chester Basin Fire Hall

7:30-10:30 a.m.,

Various menu selections.

Aug. 3

St. Norbert's Parish Big Breakfast 

Central United Church Hall, Lincoln Street, Lunenburg

7:30- 11:30 a.m. . 

Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, toast and pancakes with juice, coffee and tea. 

Adults $7, children under 12, $3.50

Community Events

Aug. 2

Medway Artists Art Show and Sale opening reception 

5p.m. 

Port Medway Lighthouse Park. 

Show continues Saturday, 11-5 and Sunday 11-4

Aug. 2-4

Riverport Rum Runners Sea Festival

http://seafestival.ca/

Aug. 4
25th Annunal Folk Art Festival
War Memorial Arena
Lunenburg, NS
Noon - 4 pm

Monday, August 5

Fun Day, 

LaHave Islands Marine Museum hall, Bell's Island,

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Bake table, cake walk, fish pond, etc. All welcome.

Newfoundland: Stunning Green Gardens

Green Gardens

Gros Morne National Park, NL

June 18, 2013

Spoiler alert, this is one of the many rewards you will receive when hiking the excellent Green Gardens trail in Gros Morne National Park.

This shot marked the point where we turned around and headed back up the several hundred stairs that stood between us and our car.  I would love to attempt the complete loop of this trail, but maybe when I'm up to fording Wallace brook....in June.