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 →

VanRamblings arrived in Annapolis Royal late on a splendid, star-filled Friday evening, proceeded ‘home’ to sit in Corinne’s kitchen and partake of a glass of milk and warming gingerbread cookies, after which we proceeded to bed.
Upon arising at 7:30 a.m. this morning, we looked out our window and filmed the video above, an early morning perspective of the Annapolis River, overlooking the village of Granville Ferry (pop: 106). After experiencing the oppressive humidity and heat of Halifax, VanRamblings was pleased to feel the strong cooling breeze, keeping the heat of the sun in perspective.
At the moment, we’re sitting in The Internet Cafe, given that Rogers’ iPhone tethering has failed to work in Annapolis Royal (which may limit our posting in the days to come). We’re attempting to sign Corinne up to Bell Aliant, and create a wireless network (which, it would appear, VanRamblings will not be able to avail ourselves of prior to our departure on August 16th) for our beloved hostess. In the meantime, on a limited basis, VanRamblings is able to avail itself of the wireless network at the town library (we sit outside on a bench under a tree … romantic, yes, but a tad inconvenient).
Peaceful, serene and transformative, once again, VanRamblings in Annapolis Royal has proved to be a friend-filled, quietening experience. The Farmers’ Market this morning (we purchased fresh-baked croissants, after which we proceeded home for breakfast) was utterly fabulous, as usual, as we were greeted by friends we’ve made while staying in Annapolis Royal, in the past.
We’ll try to post a Farmers’ Market video later today (over at the library).