Annapolis Valley Exhibition 2012



During our travels to Nova Scotia last week, we attended the 86th Annapolis Valley Exhibition (13 to 18 August) in Lawrencetown.  It was our first time experiencing a "truly" local country fair and it was interesting.  It sure was a different kind of life style than we are use to - horses, cows, ox pull, tractors, veggies, crafts, etc. and of course, music.

Bridgetown Fiddler
A group of 20 musicians who have been entertaining audiences for over 25 years.  They perform at churches, community halls and fundraisers throughout the Valley.

 

 

Nothing like enjoying homemade french fries outside the cow barn!
(LtoR:) Bren, Gerry and Paul

 

A view of the Exhibition grounds

 

The tractor area

 

Lots of horses, stables, etc

 

Some of the prize winning quilts
Amazing work

 

 

 

Local crafters working on a quilt

 

My favourite was this lighthouse quilt
Each individual square was a hand-painted picture by different artists.

 

 

 

Miniature Equine Obstacle Driving

We attended concerts on Thursday and Friday evenings at the John Langley Memorial Riverside Concert Stage.  Charlie A'Court gave another outstanding performance on Thursday evening but unfortunately it poured rain so the attendance was very poor - nonetheless an encore was demanded by his fans.

Friday evening was a better evening weather wise for a concert
(LtoR:  Paul, Gerry, Bren)

Friday evening we were treated to a great concert by Honeymoon Suite, a 1980's rock band hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, currently touring Canada.  A great performance.

Honeymoon Suite

    

Paul and I enjoyed having the opportunity of experiencing a local country exhibition and plan to attend again in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Falcourt Inn, Nova Scotia

During our recent trip to Nova Scotia, we had the pleasure of visiting the Falcourt Inn in Middleton.  We enjoyed the most wonderful meal at their Perfect Pear Restaurant and very pleasant dinner music by local artist, Frank Dobbin.  A very pleasant experience.

Veranda of Falcourt Inn

  

The Inn is located in the countryside

A view of the dining room

Spinach Salad

Poppy Seed Dressing, Sliced Pear, Golden Raisins & Almonds

Tomato, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

Topped with Cajun Sweet Potato Fries

Fundy Seafood Medley Pasta

Haddock, Shrimp and Mussels tossed in a White Wine Garlic Cream Sauce

 



Enjoying the music of Frank Dobbin

We hope to return to the Falcourt Inn and their Perfect Pear Restaurant on a future visit to the Fundy Shore.

Durtch Mason Blues Festival at Truro, Nova Scotia

Last weekend Paul and I drove to Truro (Bible Hill), Nova Scotia to enjoy some blues music at the Dutch Mason Blues Festival.  We stayed at Baker's Chest Bed & Breakfast (Karn Room), which we would highly recommend to anyone looking for a lovely place to stay.  We enjoyed two great local restaurants in Truro; Murphy's Fish & Chips, where the food was equal to that of Chess's Fish & Chips in St. John's, Newfoundland, and the newly opened Sahla Thai Restaurant.  Although the weather during the weekend was very hot and, at times wet, we did enjoy some great music.  As always Charlie A'Court was an outstanding performer and this year's new find for me was Lukas Nelson (Willie Nelson's son).  I really liked his song, Frame of Mind, which I now have on my ITouch.  There were also performances by James Cotton and John Oates.

Nelly and Maarten, our B&B Hosts



Our big comfortable bed at Baker's Chest (Karn Room)

Sitting area of the Karn Room

View from our Room (with a few rain drops)

My Friday Night Concert Buddy

  

Early evening performance by The Hupman Brothers

Night Stage

Saturday afternoon performance by Shirley King
(daughter of blues artist, B B King)





Charlie A'Court

James Cotton



John Oates Band



A Sunday afternoon of music in the rain!

Us dedicated fans,
umbrellas and ponchos everywhere!

We sat through a couple of Sunday afternoon performances in the
rain but called it a day when the skies turned PURPLE!

It was a fun weekend and we hope the Dutch Mason Blues Festival will continue next year.  If so, we will be there...



Last Day of Exploring with our Friends

This past Sunday was the last day of exploring together, in the Bathurst area, with our US friends.  Paul and I invited Irm, Don, Helen and Bill to join us for breakfast on our back deck.  It was a nice sunny morning and we were happy that the smell of the skunk that passed through our yard earlier in the morning had dissipated.  

Bill, Don, Paul and Helen enjoying local smoked salmon bagels
and some local raspberry jam.


After breakfast we went to Beresford Beach

Bill and Paul beachcombing

  

Helen strolling along the high tide line.



We next drove along Youghall Beach to the Bathurst Marina area.

Some of the boats at the Marina

  

Don hoping to find some pottery shards

Paul sharing his finds with Irm

Irm walking the tide line

Paul, Don and Bill

Helen and Irm on the beach

Helen and Bill

Paul and Don

Irm, Don, Helen and Bill on Youghall Beach.
Their last beach to explore in Northern New Brunswick.

It was a great three days of sharing our area with our friends from South Carolina and Kansas.  We hope they enjoyed their time with us and took away nice memories.