visiting new brunswick - st andrews by-the-sea and the acadian coastal drive, a room tour

Ryan and I spent a weekend travelling around New Brunswick this summer, and it was really the first time we spent any length of time in this province. Usually we are only driving through it on our way from Nova Scotia to Quebec or Maine. We had planned to take the ferry from Digby, NS to Saint John, NB, as it saves quite a bit of time driving, however the remnants of a hurricane were blowing through and it was cancelled at the last minute.

I packed a picnic for the ferry ride as it was over dinner time, but instead it meant we didn't have to make any stops. Snacks are always so important when we're on a road trip. Snacks keep us happy!

Our first evening was spent in a town we love called Saint Andrews By-the-Sea. It's quaint little seaside town with lots of old historic homes.

We always rent a room at one of the resorts here. It's a little cluster of shake buildings on the water that are tucked snug together with little walkways between sitting areas. You feel a bit like you're on top of each other, so we always recommend staying in one of the upper rooms.

Most of the rentals have their own little private balcony or deck area.

There's a vibrant downtown area with outdoor cafes and dining, as well as many of your typical vacation-town shops. There are also some really interesting old homes, many of which are designated, on the surrounding streets that we like to drive by. If you have time, I also recommend visiting Kingsburg Historical Gardens and browsing through Macklem House Antiques. Another highly recommended place to stay, that we haven't stayed at yet, is the Algonquin Hotel. It's an iconic, grand hotel set up on the hill. Though if you do book a room there, I've been told by a few frequenters to request the original part of the hotel.

There are also deer everywhere. I imagine it's quite an issue for residents, but as a visitor who doesn't have to maintain a flower bed or vegetable patch, it adds to the charm of the town. If your thing is stalking old homes along the water, I highly recommend driving along Joes Point Rd, near the Algonquin Golf Course. And in town, pop into Crocker Hill. It's an adorable little shop that's packed to the gills with all of the best things - chocolate creams in every flavour, fragrant soaps and the most beautiful English water cans in every colour.

We then drove North to do the Acadian Coastal Drive. We stayed right in the Historic Acadian Village, which wasn't anything like we expected, and then took the coastal drive all the way across and down towards Nova Scotia.

There are so many beautiful beaches to stop at along the way.

This is Kelly Beach.

The Irving Eco-centre was another great beach and a really beautiful facility - though in my opinion, adding cedar shakes and a weather vane to anything makes it infinitely more lovely.

And who doesn't love a good boardwalk?

As I mentioned before, the place we had booked for our second night wasn't anything like what we expected. We understood that it was a bed and breakfast near the Historic Acadian Village (Historique Village Acadien), and part of the package included admission to the grounds. When we arrived however, we discovered the that hotel we were staying in, Chateau Albert Hotel, is the actual 1907 replica hotel in the middle of the village! In fact, what we thought would have been a small historic village, made up of a few old homes and old buildings, is actually a massive 2 km circuit that shows the life of the Acadian people through history. It begins with the oldest parts depicting life in 1773, up to the newer village buildings showing life in the 1950's. It was way too much for us to do in the short time we set aside for it, so instead, we decided we would bring the boys back and spend a weekend seeing it.

The couple little buildings right near the hotel made it a really interesting place to stay. Even the hotel itself was interesting. It was kind of like staying in a museum! All around you, people show up to work in the village in period costume, and they try to keep the hotel fairly historically accurate, meaning there were only the necessary modern conveniences (no TV in the room!).

But the room... It made me smile.

It was perfectly simple, but well done. I had to give you a little tour of it!

We actually squished together and shared the double bed. I knew it was a double ahead of time, so I arranged to rent a cot for Ryan to sleep on, as I figured he'd want more space... (we're used to a king!). They do have other rooms with queen beds, but honestly, I just liked this room and bathroom too much.

Whoever did the design of the hotel did a brilliant job on so many details. Antique pieces and artwork were used throughout, and I loved the colour palette they went with. 

This green though. Seriously. I just loved this little room.

I packed accordingly.

I also loved the simple bathroom with such timeless fixtures. Nothing grand at all, but still so classic and clean.

Can we start bringing back toilets like this? I'll never forget, my aunt had one in her house.

This is the main hallway. Again, I love the brass fixtures chosen, and matching hardware. Even the wallpaper was lovely.

There was a terrace that you could sit on that overlooked this part of the village and it made the perfect spot for breakfast in the morning.

We really look forward to returning and being able to do the whole experience. We've been studying the Acadian people in History since moving here to Nova Scotia, and really learning about them for the first time. When we return, I'll share more on the village itself, but for now, if you're planning any trips to New Brunswick this summer, I highly recommend adding these places to your itinerary!

Historic Garden Tour - Annapolis Royal

I've just finished editing what seems like months of photos. Somehow the summer is nearly half past, and I find my list of posts to write is longer than ever. One of the posts I've been looking forward to sharing with you is a recent visit to the Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal. While all of the grounds are beautiful and offer a wide variety of garden styles and colours to enjoy, these are my favourite highlights. It's become a tradition to drive down and visit at the beginning of July, right when the roses are in bloom.

First is the little sitting area and the formal Knot Garden beside it.

The archway that leads into the original Governor's garden is also lovely. I love the boxwoods under these ancient apple trees, and the espaliers growing on the lattice.

I always find the lily pads in the ponds enchanting.

The Old Acadian home is also so interesting to wander around and peek inside, offering a glimpse at what life was like for the first settlers in Nova Scotia.

The Innovation garden is also interesting if you have any sort of kitchen garden. They highlight different planting philosophies and techniques.

And finally, the Rose Garden.

We happened to arrive between showers, and managed to make our way through the grounds while the rain fell softly. The roses were just past their peak, but they were still a sight. Dripping with rain, they seemed to bow every which way, their petals littering the walkways below and their fragrance hanging in the humid air.

As always, just stunning. I highly recommend making the trip if you find yourself in the area.

 

a sunset walk around acadia university

We filled the thermos with hot chocolate and headed to the town of Wolfville. While the boys mucked around at the waterfront park, I headed downtown to wander through the shops. Wolfville overlooks the basin, the dykelands holding back the tides, and then Cape Blomidon in the distance. You wind through Main Street in town, which sits slightly elevated, and pass all the grand old homes on either side. It's home to the University of Acadia - a beautiful historic campus that has a quintessential New England feel to it. And because the sun was just setting, and it was a crisp but perfectly clear evening, and because the buildings looked so warm and inviting in the setting sunlight, I parked my car and walked around. Save one or two students hurrying from one building to the next, everything was quiet. The buildings around the campus are quite beautiful. I may have to return for another walk about to see everything covered in snow, and I discovered a botanical gardens that I would love to return to tour in the spring.

This is Waterfront Park, where you can watch the world's highest tides rise and fall from the Bay of Fundy.

There are so many lovely old homes the line the main street through town.

This one is a particular favourite.

I had to pull over and slowly walk past to admire it. They had started decorating it for Christmas - some twinkle lights on the front hedges, wreathes in the gables, and candles in all the windows. It was all very simple and natural, just how I love it. What was so beautiful to me though, was that, with the leaves still clinging to a few trees, it was the perfect blend of late autumn and not quite Christmas.

I always love the Alumni Hall.

Across the road and up the sweeping drive, sitting on top of the hill, sits the University.

Pathways lead from the University to all of the various buildings around campus, including this little chapel and some really lovely residences. 

I've seen the Seminary House from the road down below, and have long wanted to wander up and see it. It's the most grand old building.

Beside the university sits the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. The large arched windows to the sides are a grand sitting room.

It looked so inviting with students filling the armchairs, reading as the sun set, the lamps glowing warmly. I wondered if anyone would have noticed if I would have picked up a coffee, carried it in with my book to some secluded leather chair, and then just curled up in the quiet to read. No fear of an impending deadline for some paper that still needs to be written, no late night class to attend, no exams. Just a book and a coffee and quiet.

You can apparently tour the gardens, but currently it's not open to the public. Hopefully in the spring it will be open again, and then I'll return. I really hope we'll be allowed to tour the conservatory area, as well as the grounds, as I always love a beautiful glass house.

Even the little gated supply area was charming!

Once the sun was sufficiently set, I returned to pick up the boys who were all rosy cheeks and noses. We drove up and down a few streets admiring the older homes that sit surrounding the university, before making our way back home for dinner. A very late dinner, but it was worth it.