Fall Impressions from the Maritimes

For many, fall is the most photogenic season of the year in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI. The Maritimes usually enjoy a long and colorful autumn season - often until Christmas.

The photos here have been taken mostly on the South Shore of Nova Scotia - in early December!

Usually, during the third week of October, the reds will be at their peak in the Maritimes, and this is probably the most glorious time for visitors. Earlier than this, there will still be a delightful mixture of greens among the reds, oranges, and yellows.

Gathering twigs of winterberries, seagrasses, bearberries, black huckleberries, hawthorne, and elderberries, together with some pine twigs make for lovely winter decoration.

Create a lovely centerpiece for the dining table or place them in pots or window boxes and let the birds nosh on the berries during wintertime.

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Spring at the South Shore of Nova Scotia

Beaches and Gardens on Nova Scotia's South Shore

It's all about blooms here: Daffodils, Azalea, Rhododendron, Dogwood Trees and now the lovely Lupins everywhere.  And did I mention the stunning, kilometer-long sand beaches and the crystal-clear shallow water?  Have a look:
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http://www.novascotiabackyard.com/  recommends to cycle along the shores:

"Spinning pedals, long stretches of open roads that run along white sand beaches and fresh Atlantic breezes will have you in pure bike Zen. Race along picture perfect coastlines, hear the calls of seabirds and seals, and feel the beat of your heart."

"Stop and explore a sheltered cove or a shaded park for a bite to eat. Hang your panniers at one of our charming Inn's or Bed & Breakfasts, while you enjoy our brightly painted towns and our colourful culture. Rated one of the top ten coastal destinations in the world by National Geographic, we're sharing a cyclist sweet spot!"

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Come and enjoy Southern Nova Scotia in Spring!

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A Hidden Gem: River Bank General Store

The beautiful Mill Village in Nova Scotia, Canada's, Queens County (South Shore) boasts one of the prettiest country stores in whole Nova Scotia.

I discovered this lovely place last March when they were just in the middle of restoring, building the coffee shop / restaurant, kitchen and renovating the adjacent artist’s showroom, featuring paintings and crafts, and the hardware store with its unique, handmade pieces from local crafters and a wide variety of gifts.

It took several months and lots of helping hands, coming from QASL clients and staff, Queens Association for Supported Living, who owns the General Store and who helps individuals acquiring life skills and offers vocational programs and community-based employment.

Restaurant with Medway River View In summer, visitors could enjoy the cosy restaurant with its spectacular view of the magnificent Medway River, which runs just a couple of feet from the big windows, and have fresh coffee or delicious ice cream. Since last autumn the “River Bank Café” offers a daily lunch during the week, including homemade soups, fresh prepared sandwiches and salads and mouth-watering fresh-baked pastries at very competitive prices.

Once a month, or maybe more often in the future, they offer a marvelous Sunday Brunch. To learn about this well-liked delicious food event, send them your email address to receive invitations, as they are quickly booked out: riverbankadmin@eastlink.ca

River Bank Café and General Store is such a lovely place, not yet discovered by tourists, despite its proximity (2 minutes) from HWY 3 (Halifax to Liverpool and Shelburne). Get your coffee, tea or hot chocolate and stock up on groceries, bread and pastries here: Fresh, local and organic produce and meats, canned and dry goods, pies, cookies etc. 


They also carry Mike Oulton's Free Range Meats and Greek's Quality Meats and a number of Natural Homemade Foods products, such as German Bread, as well as their own store baked sweet temptations. The River Bank Café also offer take-out: I recently had a sandwich and a salmon chowder - to die for - and crispy almond croissants.

8 Medway River Rd, Mill Village, NS B0J2H0
Phone 902-677-2013 Open until 9:00 pm.
Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Sat - Sun: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Have also a look at “The Picture House” website and blog to learn about River Bank General Store and the QASL and see a video:

http://www.thepicturehouse.ca/archives/734

longer version: http://www.thepicturehouse.ca/archives/524

or the NS government website: http://gov.ns.ca/coms/WhatsHappening.html