Postcard of the Interwebs - 31 August 2016

Bronze Age Site Preserved by Fire: Fire hit this British village quickly 3000 years ago and now provides a snapshot into daily life.

Exoplanet Synopsis Poster: Infographic displays 500 exoplanets (1/4 of those found) before October 2015. Over 3500 have been discovered currently.

NASA Science Research Free: All the results of the research it funds is now available for everyone!

Battery Power can be doubled: This MIT graduate has discovered a way to double the life of lithium-ion batteries and make it half the size.

Personal Bee Hive: How would you like your own personal beehive? Now imagine that you can turn a tap to get your honey out!

Magnetic Bacteria to Combat Cancer: An interesting way to focus the healing medium to the injury.

Nearest Star has Probable Life Sustaining Planet: So which nation or person will be funding the first probes here. Only ~4 light years away.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Fourteen - Metepenagiag and Moncton

We had a good simple breakfast at the Governor's Mansion Inn (free with stay and egg and bacon breakfasts are a small extra fee). Then we were off to Metepenagiag Heritage Park.

Metepenagiag is named for and run by the local Mi'Kmaq peoples. The significance of the area is that it has been inhabited for the last thirty centuries. Archeological digs were conducted since the 1970's, which supported this claim. The center had great architecture, a good video, and an engaging interpretative center. Unfortunately it was raining heavily so we did not go on the cultural walk.

We then met up with my Mom and her husband and went to lunch. Then it was down to Moncton where we met up with an old friend at the Tide and Boar. My wife had the burger and I had the Tide and Boar boards, which were delicious but I couldn't finish it all. Next time it would be a great sharing item for two.

The next day we flew home with no incidents so this is my last post of the Maritimes till the next time I go back.

Maritimes Tour 2016 – Day Thirteen - Cambellton and the Mirimachi Governor's Mansion

Left the Auberge after another great breakfast, although it was more healthier this morning. Then we went West to Cambellton and the small islands beyond that are in between Quebec and New Brunswick.

We also went to the top of Sugarloaf, a popular ski hill in the winter that has BMX'n and hiking in the summer.

We then headed to our B&B in Miramichi, the Governor’s Mansion Inn. It was built a little over 150 years ago by local timber barons and was eventually used as the New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor’s house from 1958 to 1965, until moved to the current residence in Fredericton. The position and official residence not the home itself.

 We arrived early which was a good thing as the owner did not get our request for supper emailed to him. He was more than happy to accommodate and a very nice meal was served. 

In the estate there is also another manor (owned by the timber baron’s brother), a conservatory, and two riverside buildings used to bring on supplies and goods and sell them. They are not available for viewing nor staying at yet but the owner has long term plans.

We stayed in the servants quarters which was still pretty nice.

Maritimes Tour 2016 – Day Twelve - Carpequet and Shippigan

We had breakfast at Auberge d'Anjou, where they offer 25% off for people who stay and have breakfast there. My wife had the egg and bacon breakfast and I had the omelette. They both were a great way to start the day.

Today we wanted to travel around the area East of Bathurst, using the coastline as much as possible.But first we went to the Bathurst Daly Point Reserve Park. Lots of little trails make this a tranquil park.

Then we stopped at a local distillery called Fils du Roy, which according to my wife had tasty items.Next we went to the Acadien Historical Village at Carpequet. This historical recreation site has buildings and  reinactors encompassing the period from the early 1700’s to the mid 1900’s, focusing on early French colonial life. It was very well done and the buildings were well separated. Several crops and gardens were growing as well. It also has a hotel which was in our short list for places to stay.

 We ate at "Le Table Acadien" and each shared a peasant’s beer and individually had the boiled salt pork. Afterwards we shared the bread pudding with brown sugar glaze. It was all delicious.

Next we drove to Shippigan, looked around, and drove back to the Auberge. They had a musical act that night, so we ate on the patio. We both had the pasta and I had a Cajun chicken gumbo as an appetizer. It was good.

Maritimes Tour 2016 – Day Eleven - To Bathurst

Today we drove to Bathurst in New Brunswick, mostly through the coastal route. There were lots of cottages and houses from shacks to mansions.Many had Acadien colors adorning telephone poles, lobster traps and other items.

We stayed at Auberge d’Anjou, in the Petit Rocher area of Bathurst, for two nights. It is a bistro and B&B owned by a couple from here who lived in Nanaimo for ~35 years.

The Auberge was not open for food that night, so we were recommended two places. We chose Brochetterie Le Vieux Moulin (The Old Mill). It is owned by a Greek family and they raise their own lamb. Therefore I had the lambchops and my wife had the lamb brocette. Very nice.

Maritimes Tour 2016 – Day Ten - Grand Pre and Wolfville

Left Digby and drove to the Grand Pre region around Wolfville, a UNESCO site. This was the largest settlement of Acadiens before the expulsion of 1755. They also transformed the land by building a series of dikes over the years of inhabiting the area to increase the arable land. So much so that the land between the mainland and nee-Long Island is now agricultural land.

Here we stopped in at the Domaine de Grand Pre winery, the oldest in Nova Scotia. It has a restaurant there called Le Caveau and we enjoyed a great lunch there. Chowder and salt halibut/snow crab cakes for me. Delicious!

Next we headed into Wolfville to check out a cidery, Annapolis Cider Company. It was hard to spot but on the loop back through we found it. Their setup is very good and I preferred their sweeter variety. They also have one type that changes after it is finished, ensuring customers come back again and again.

The town of Wolfville has many grand buildings as well, several of which are B&Bs.

We then headed off for the Grand Pre National Historic site. It was an excellent snapshot of life before the expulsion with a museum, buildings and grounds.

The Muskovy ducks were quite tame.

We then headed to Windsor and then for Truro, through the coastal route.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Seven to Nine- Digby, Sister, Annapolis Royal and Bear River

Spent the day with Dad and his spouse. Also met my sister and her new beau. Also did some walking around Digby for their scallop days.

The next day we headed to Annapolis Royal for the market day they have Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Also ate at a great tiny restaurant called Country Nook Restaurant. Had the lobster grilled cheese sandwich and it was awesome!

Then it was the Digby Scallop days parade. Lots of folks turned out for the show.

The sunset was pretty awesome.

The last full day in Digby we went to Bear River for some scenery and art.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Six - Drive to Digby via the Side Roads

We left Sackville and took the side roads to head to Advocate Harbour near Joggins, Nova Scotia. Reason for the trip was to see some of the shoreline of the Bay of Fundy. 

Another was to eat at a place we were recommended. The Wild Caraway is tucked into Advocate Harbour and is a culinary gem. The setting of the old large house and the fantastic food was a perfect match. I had the seafood ploughman’s lunch and my wife had the pesto pasta with scallops. Delicious and worth the trip.

On the way to Masstown, we stopped at That Dutchman’s Farm which sells cheese and has a zoo. They have delicious aged Gouda and their Dragon’s Breath is a wonderful blue cheese.

We then drove to Masstown Market to pick up some local highbrush blueberries and some fruit wine. Great place to stop (see previous post here).

We then took the back roads to Windsor and stopped at the Just Us! Coffee shop, one of my favorites from previous trips. Their spicy hot chocolate is delicious.

Then it was a short 80 minute drive to Digby, my next stop to see my dad and his partner.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Five - Downtown Moncton and Sackville Racoons

Today we drove to town to pick up our rental car at Avis/Budget. As we got downtown very early we decided to kill some time in the area and left the rental car in the lot. Free parking! Took a little walk by the Petticodiac river, which is looking better than when I grew up here.

We went nearby to get drinks at Cafe Cognito and they were darn tasty. My chai latte was nicely done.

Then we went to Gifts Galore and found a perfect gift for my sis-in-law. I know she will like it!

The car rental place was also beside two awesome stores, Comic Hunter and Spin-It Records and Video. Comic Hunter has a great selection of used RPGs and new boardgames. Spin-It has a fantastic used CD area and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable leading my wife and I to pick up about ten CDs each. At least we won’t run out of music on our trip!

Just before leaving, as a house guest gift for our next destination, we picked up two cheeses at Les Gourmandes Cheese Delicatessen and Chocolate.

Then we hit the road for Sackville, N.B. where a friend of mine lives and her daughter, another friend of mine, was visiting. We had lunch outside in the sun then retired to the moving shade of a grand tree for afternoon chatting. 

Then we moved inside to continue chatting and for supper. Before bed we were witness to two families of raccoons being fed. The mother of the two new moms was fed two years ago during a harsh winter. Now the brood comes back for tasty nibbles.