Harris Tweed Foot Loom

Harris Tweed Warehouse

Tarbert, Scotland

May 25, 2012

Tarbert was our 'home base' for the Outer Hebridean portion of our transatlantic sojourn last summer.   Tarbert is located on the Isle of Harris, home of the world famous......you guessed it, Harris Tweed.

We were lucky to witness a live demonstration of an older, Hattersly loom in operation.  I was surprised to learn that every single metre of Harris Tweed is woven on these looms....which are foot powered!  Check out this page to see a video of one of these mechanical beauties in operation.

The tweed warehouse had that wonderful smell that comes with wool, sometimes I think it smells like crayons.  We spent a long time looking at bolt after bolt of gorgeous fabric, trying to narrow down the choices of which ones to buy and bring back to Canada.  Since our visit to Tarbert, I notice Harris Tweed everywhere.  

The story of how Harris Tweed changed life on the island is very interesting, I recommend browsing the official site.  They are, after all, the guardians of the orb.

Infinity Bridge

Confederation Bridge

Somewhere over the Gulf of St. Lawrence

March 2, 2013

A foggy bridge crossing made for a neat infinity effect.  Man, that bridge seems to go on forever!  Doesn't help matters when you can't see the end of the structure, nor much over the side.  Those concrete walls are the perfect height to shield most car drivers from the 'dangerous' view over the side.

Windy Sentinels

 Amherst Wind Farm

Tantramar Marsh

March 4, 2013

Surely I'm not the only driver who succumbs to the Don Quixote effect when spotting this wind farm.  The drive from East - West is particularly stunning.  The first few glimpses over the horizon make one curious, then transfixed as the numerous turbines come into full view.  

I hope to see more of these dotting the landscape in years to come.  The recent Wind4All CEDIF has sold out, which hopefully bodes well for future wind power investment and development in the province.

What's on this weekend?

I've been laxing on the community grub updates lately.  A thousand lashes with a wet noodle for this blogger!

Several breakfasts to choose from this weekend.  It looks like the weather is going to be splendid so a great time to get out and about, soak up some sun....and bacon grease. I bet there will be scrumptiously sweet molasses bread at the Pleasantville fish cake & baked bean supper.  If not, FOR SHAME!

Breakfasts

March 9
Hebbs Cross Fire Department, 

7- 11 a.m. 

Homemade baked beans, eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, toast, tea, coffee, juice. 

Price $7, children $3.

Saturday, March 9, 

St. Martin's Anglican Church hall, Martin's River

7:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, pancakes, hash browns, baked beans, tea, coffee, juice. 

Adults $7, children 5 and up $3, children under 5 free.
Proceeds for St. Martin's Restoration Fund.

March 9

Parkdale/ Maplewood hall,

7- 10:30 a.m. 

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

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

Info: Calvin 644-3602, Joanne 644-2877

Saturday, March 9th
Central United Church Hall, Lunenburg. 

7:30- 11:30 a.m. 

Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Bologna, Beans, Hash Browns, Juice, Toast, Tea & Coffee.

Adults $7; children (6-12) $3; Under 6 free.

Suppers

Saturday, March 9

Pleasantville & District Fire Department Supper,

4- 6 p.m. 

Fish cakes, beans and brown bread, dessert. 

Adults $9; Children $5; Under 5 Free.

Stupendous Skye

Calmac Ferry Hebrides

Isle of Skye to Isle of Harris, Scotland

June 23, 2012

Another gorgeous shot looking back at the Skye (Uig) as we started the ~45 minute trip to the Hebrides.  As you can see, the weather was on our side, again.  Truly blessed, we were!

Acadia Orchid Show - Pt.3

K.C. Irving Environmental Centre

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

Seems like a drizmal kind of day out there, I prescribe another gorgeous orchid shot to cheer you up!

Acadia Orchid Show - Pt.2

K.C. Irving Environmental Centre

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

It was hard to meter shots in this sunny greenhouse.  Luckily, my S95 is smarter than me, Auto ISO and Program mode to the rescue!

Stay tuned for more shots of the gorgeous blossoms...