For VanRamblings, one of the great joys of vacationing in Annapolis Royal revolves around the absolute tranquility of the evening and early morning hours. Life in Vancouver for us tends to be a noisy affair, at the best of times, and to arrive in Annapolis Royal and experience the peaceful serenity of the Annapolis Valley means more to us than words can express.
One week into our Maritime vacation, our east coast sojourn has proven to be everything that was necessary for us to transcend our protean life.
In Halifax, our stay at Dalhousie’s Howe Hall was more comfortable and welcoming this time around than has been the case previously, and our welcome and stay has been pretty spectacular in the past. The habitants of Halifax were just as friendly and engaging as has always been the case. And, as per usual, hoofing it around town, when conducting our pedestrian self (and, yes, we get the pun ), we continue to be taken aback that when preparing to cross a street, when simply standing at a corner, vehicles proceeding down the road will always stop, not just sometimes, but always.
We also took note of one salutary change: every little coffee shop around the Halifax region serves certified organic free trade coffee. Were such fortunate circumstance the case in our west coast Vancouver home.
In Halifax, the buses run frequently, and it’s easy to get around town. During the summer, Halifax’s Metro Transit runs a free downtown / harbourfront transit service called Fred (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown), shuttling both Haligonians and visitors throughout the downtown core —
seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A first-rate tour service, with an on-board tour guide providing commentary on historical highlights, Fred transports appreciative passengers throughout the summer months. Again, Vancouver would do well to learn from the Halifax Fred experience.
An insight into Annapolis Royal after the jump …

Continue reading Reflections On VanRamblings’ East Coast Maritime Vacation →

VanRamblings attended the annual birthday celebration of Queen Anne, the last monarch of the House of Stuart, and the Queen of the British Commonwealth at the time the village of Annapolis Royal was first settled.
Bishop Park, on Highway 201 between Annapolis Royal and Bridgetown, proved to be the perfect open setting for this most august celebration set as it is within the verdant, rolling hills of the Annapolis Valley, the blustery winds of the valley providing relief from the heat of the day.
Tomorrow, VanRamblings will continue our exploration of Annapolis Royal, and in the afternoon attend, with Corinne, the Film Club (discussing Nick Cassavetes’ The Notebook, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams).
We’ll see you here tomorrow!

Today, VanRamblings will travel (with Corinne) to Queen Anne’s Picnic, Bishop Park, Route 201, 1 – 4 p.m., having received an invitation from the Queen herself, this very morning.
We’ll leave after a scallop and salad lunch (VanRamblings loves Digby scallops although we are, this time around, attempting to reduce our scallop consumption from one pound a day to a more reasonable amount).
Today, by the way, is Roger Brant’s 57th birthday. A husband, father, blues musician of some note, union organizer and all around good guy, Roger is one of those unsung heroes who populate British Columbia’s west coast metropolis, a citizen of our community who contributes to the humanity of VanRamblings’ home, not least because of the annual contribution (for two decades) he makes by heading up a sound team at one of the Vancouver Folk Festival’s day stages. Later in the week, Roger’s wife, Audrey, also celebrates a birthday (same day as VanRamblings!).

Continue reading Annapolis Royal, a 300th Anniversary Celebration →

The Farmers’ Market, in Annapolis Royal’s town square continues as a summer staple, a decade’s long institution. Lush, organic, a cornucopia of farm fresh eggs, milk, cheeses and meats and a panoply of fresh-baked breads, pastries and pies, as well as historical handicrafts of every description, Annapolis Royal’s Farmers’ Market is not to be missed.
After standing in line for fresh-baked morning croissants, warm from the oven, Corinne and company trundled on home for a mid-morning breakfast, fresh blueberries from the garden, organic yogurt, and homemade raspberry jam spooned on to the open croissants, which we tore apart with relish. We returned to the market throughout the morning (most of the video above was shot between 8 and 9 a.m., before the scheduled market opening). “Get there early if you want the croissants,” Corinne averred.
And we did.

Continue reading Annapolis Royal, The Farmers’ Market on a Saturday Morning →