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.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Four - Movie and An's Restaurant

Maritimes Tour 2016

Day Four: A quiet day with chatting, reading and napping in the morning. 

For lunch we met one of mom’s friends at An’s in Moncton. Do not let the sign fool you as it is tasty food that they serve. 

I had the Korean noodle dish and it was quite good.

We then saw "The Secret Life of Pets" which was humorous.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Three - Alma Lobster

Day Three: This was a more casual day. We drove down to Alma, via Riverview, and stopped at Octopus’s Garden Cafe for lunch. We had eaten at this place before and it was still delicious.I had the ploughman's lunch which came with the soup of the day: tomato basil.

We then stopped for lobster at Collin’s Lobster shop. They sold uncooked and cooked lobster as well as other items so we picked up three uncooked ones.

They grow big in the bay of Fundy!

We then drove back via Fundy National park and stopped for ice cream at McCabe’s Famous Ice Cream. Being from Victoria, where we have four homemade ice cream shops, it was good but more pricey than I am used to.

That night it was time to consume the pre-cooked exoskeleton and it was delicious. Meat was firm and there was lots of it. Delicious!

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Two- Aircraft and a Gathering of the Clans

Day Two: This was a super action packed day. First my mom took us to the Havelock Flying Club airfield where we had breakfast, chatted with folks, and looked at the aircraft on the field. Also saw some taking off and landing.Below is an amphibious plane.

Shortly after getting home we borrowed my mom’s car and drove to my dad’s clan gathering. A great spread was put on by my Aunts and Uncles! We chatted with folks and caught up on what had occurred to each other. Also met cousins I had not met in a while and a new edition to the clan who was a few months old.

Later in the afternoon, after things wound down, it was time to go to Gusto Italian Grill and Wine Bar. There we met with my mom’s clan and had a great supper. The arancini was crisp and tasty. The pasta of the day was cooked perfectly and the pesto and vegetables were great. They have a wood fired oven too.

Then we retired to my Aunt and Uncle’s place to continue the gathering and chatted about what the family was doing and have recently done. My Uncle has a wicked train set too.

Maritimes Tour 2016 - Day Zero and Day 1 - Travel

Day Zero: This was supposed to be our travel day. We had arrived at the airport on time, checked in our baggage and boarded the Westjet plane after a good breakfast at the Spinnaker’s Bistro. We were told that after initial checks, a light was observed to be not turning on when a fault was induced. The light was replaced and the checks did not illuminate the light. We were then deplaned and alternative flights were made for the passengers. Unfortunately for us, it meant leaving the next day. Fortunately for us it meant that we were on one less flight and were flying first class (or “Plus Class” on Westjet) all the way. Also fortunate was that my Aunt could reschedule the meeting of the clan to day two of our trip.

The rest of the day had us phoning relatives/house sitters, eating Prima Strada pizza, relaxing, and getting to bed early.

Day One: The “Plus Class” experience was a good one. In a row of three seats, the middle seat has a flat surface and drink holders. The legroom is also larger and there are complementary food and drink. We arrived at the Moncton airport at 730pm.