Maritimes - Frenchy's and Guy's Frenchy's Clothing Stores

Way back in 1971, Edwin Theriault was a Boston native whose mother came from the town of Metegan, West of Digby. After taking many jobs over the years he wanted to retire. Always an opportunist, he took a large bale of cloths from Boston to Metegan when returning for a visit. It was a surprising success. So much so that he opened a store, at first to make wiping rags from old clothes but he sold more clothes than rags. That's when Frenchy's was created.

Guy's Frenchy's started in 1972 in Digby. Guy Leblanc was an early employee of the Frency's founder, Edwin Theriault. He asked his boss if he could open a store and do the same thing and was given the nod. Today Frenchy's and Guy's Frenchy's combined have over two dozen stores in every Atlantic Province except PEI.

I picked up some ties at the one in Digby during my trip. Not just any ties but Jerry Garcia ties. That's right, Jerry Garcia made ties based on his art and designs and they are my preffered tie to wear. Click here for a webstore that sells his ties and here for a facebook page on his ties. Below are the ties I got for about $1.50 each. Score!

My wife has also gotten great designer brands and excellent clothing for cheap deals.

Maritimes - Fish Markets

 

Fish markets are the best way to get your seafood. Its cheaper and more money goes closer to the source. Plus if you know your fish seller well, you can get the lowdown on good deals and opportunities. Birch Street Seafoods, in Digby, is one of those companies.

I like to buy the meat that I cook the day of or day before I eat it. Fish should be no exception, especially when you can get it this fresh.

So if you are traveling in the Maritimes and have your own kitchen, pick up some local seafood. You'll be glad you did.

Maritimes - Masstown Market

I've been stopping off here since I was a young lad and my trip to the Atlantic provinces was no exception. The Masstown market is a smorgesbourg of fun: lunch or supper, fishmarket, local fruit and vegetables, a liquor store (with Maritime wine and beer) and gifts galore. Highly recommended to stop here and supplement it with stops to farmers markets.

Maritimes - Fort Beausejour/Fort Cumberland

Near Aulac New Brunswick, just before you get to Nova Scotia, is Fort Beausejour or Fort Cumberland (depending on who you ask).

The fort started to be constructed in 1751 because after conflict in the area the previous year, an English fort was built nearby (Fort Lawrence). This key land route from Fort Louisbourg to Quebec was important enough for the French to build several forts, Fort Beausejour being one of them. A wiki article on the fort is here.

It was unfinished when it was attacked and taken over by the British in 1755. It was then that it was renamed Fort Cumberland. This was the beginning of the end of French influence in North America.

When the English won, most of the Acadians (French Colonists) in the area were told to swear loyalty to the British Crown. They refused as they feared retaliation from both sides. The British them burned the homes of the French Acadians and ejected them from the area. This process carried on throughout the Atlantic provinces as it meant English colonists could take thier land and the British could be safer from the possibility of reprisals. This was the start of the expulsion of Acadians in the Atlantic provinces to other parts of the world: Louisianna, New England, South America, Carribian and France. Some hid from the British to avoid expulsion and eked out a life in remote areas. Many came back and set up communities where they originally were or new ones. It is these people that make up the lovely Acadian French areas of the Atlantic Provinces.

Fort Cumberland was attacked during the American Revolutionary war by American revolutionaries who recruited Acadians and British citizens. If the fort had fallen, many historians believe Nova Scotia would have joined the American side due to British weakness in the area. Instead it solidified the crowns rule.

Today the site is open all year round and there are renactors and a museum available during peak tourist season.

Maritimes - The Hopewell Rocks

Just East of the Fundy National park in New Brunswick are Hopewell Rocks. I've been here off and on since I was young and since I was traveling to see family and friends, I thought I would revisit it.

Here is a time lapse video of the amazing tides!

The sandstone and rock has been eaten away over the millenia to look like the natural marvels they are now.

Also nearby is the small town of Alma that has an excellent bakery, two seafood sellers (with great lobster) and a cool convienience store.

Stay tuned for more posts on my recent trip to Atlantic Canada.

Tofino Sauna House Magnetic Poetry

When we stayed in the birdhouse loft at Sauna House, in Tofino BC, there was a magnetic poetry kit specific for birdwatchers. I had fun making poetry using the restriction of not reusing any magnetic words. I will not win any Govenor General awards for my work but its good to let that creativity out once in a while.

Here are a few:

Fun day, quiet night

Preen rookery. Flock. Dive.

Observe the golden egg of life.

Peep. Peck. Gorge.

Strong goddess, let me touch plumage.

Under the light, bright and beautiful.

I would compare your kiss,

to a flight with the sky.

Raptor rose to a sun.

You are my life. Make merry.

Rest. Sleep. Remember.

Father hoot. Binoculars spot.

Female roost. Watch early.

Must spy on world.

Too old. Autumn.

Protect nest. Forest Song.

See bird, brilliant.

Feather fly. Talon sing.

Beak tear. Red. Eat bird.

Give chick some.

Family.

Morning joy.

Listen to peace.

Almost home.

Less than art, this picture.

Above the field they wait,

in a field for two.

Love migration.

And then there is the one last one. You could tell I was running out of words to use.

Sight her,

full gizzard.

Feel my thistle.

Chocolate night.

Tofino - Pointe Resteraunt

As always when my wife and I go to Tofino, we eat at the Pointe restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn.

For starters I had the house made ginger ale and the spring mushroom broth (Grilled Sourdough, Oyster Mushroom Parfait, Shallot, Wild Greens).

My wife had the Grilled Spot Prawn Escabeche (Sweet Pepper, Fennel, Basil, Honey Water) with a glass of the La Frenz Riesling 2012.

For a main I had the Peace Country Lamb Cannon & Crisp Tongue (Poached Rhubarb, Beetroot, Juniper Ash & Rosemary Jus) with a glass of Malbec.

My wife had the Roasted Ling Cod Pot au Feu (Heirloom Vegetables, Spot Prawns, Shellfish Nage) with Blue Mountain “Reserve” Pinot Gris 2010, BC

My wife also had the Roasted Beef Tenderloin (Shallot Purée, Charred Zucchini, Butter-Poached Spot Prawns) as the previous items she ordered were from the tasting menu.

For dessert I had a chocolate with ice cream thing that was delicious.

My wife had the Chamomile Granite (Poached Rhubarb, Chamomile Sponge, Citrus Crème Frâiche).

An extremely enjoyable evening and meal!

Postcard of the Interwebs - 18 June 2014

London's 2000 year old History: What it says.

Researchers Discover Cancer Stem Cells: Researchers have discovered cancer stem cells in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. With this data expect more research to be done on other cancer patients. Could be the start of directed treatment on the cancer stem cells so that the regular cancer cells will die of thier own accord.

Maturity Climb: An excellent one page poster of how people can act in order to be happier in life. Bravo!

Bionic Pancreas better than Insulin Pump: Journal of New England has experimented with a bionic pancreas and the results are great. Now if we could just avoid overeating the foods that give us diabetes in the first place.

No Pain Cavity Repair in Three Years: King's Colledge London has come up with a way to use low voltages to force the tooth to absorb minerals to rebuilt itself. An awesome idea that seems promising enough they have created a company to develop it.

Thorium as a Safer Fuel for Nuclear Reactors: Thorium is harder to make nuclear weapons out of and is more plentiful than uranium. Sounds logical to me.

Warhammer History: A great exobition on the history and use of the warhammer as a weapon.

Tofino Beaches

Here are some images of the beaches in Tofino...

Tofino for May Feast Month

Throughout the month of May in Tofino is Feast, a culinary delight that has local and nearby establishments participating to give people excellent food. My wife, myself and another couple went to Tofino to take part in this event the weekend after Victoria day.

On the way up we stopped at Coombs Country Market to have lunch at Cuckoo, an excellent Italian restaurant that has consistently served excellent meals.

Our first night was at Shelter, which is an excellent restaurant. I had two pesto oysters and the homemade pasta with mussels and scallops and for dessert a chocolate truffle. Delicious!

We stayed at Sauna House for our entire stay, my wife and I in the bird lover's loft. Although there is no kitchen, we were eating out anyways. Normally the owner makes delicious muffins and a fruit cup but since a friend was looking after the place we had to eat out and got a discount on our rooms.

The second day had us at Rhino Coffee house for breakfast. It was incredible how good the donuts, macha chai tea latte and breakfast wrap was. Highly recommended and we came back the next day!

For a light lunch meal we ate at the pier for a seafood special event. $15 and you could sample many tidbits from food producers and resteraunts from Tofino and nearby. A great experience.

Below are some examples of the dishes...

Our second night we ate at the Pointe Resteraunt. Always a pleasure to open my wallet there with only one average experience out of a dozen. A more detailed post is to follow.

The beaches are always nice to walk around to streach the legs and work off the calories. My wife even jogged on the beach one morning and said it was the best jogging experience ever with the sand and the surf.