STRATHLIGHT BLOG
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
NOVA SCOTIA VACATION
South West Cove Cottage: (Google Map) Nearby Places Of Interest:
SUPPLEMENT: INFO FROM DARRELL: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITINERARY:
| DATE | PLANNED ACTIVITIES | STAYING AT |
| WED JULY 2 | Drive from FG work to Julie's depart ~12:30 (Drive=5:47) | Julie's house (450.659.6255) |
| THU JULY 03 | Drive from Julie's to Edmundston (leave ~11:30a) (D=5:48+1:00 TZ) NOTE: stop enroute to meet up w/ Strauss's: Tim Horton's, 1320 rue Johnson Ouest, St-Hyacinthe, QC (meet ~ lunch time: this Timmy's is about 44 minutes from Julie's ) | Chateau Edmundston at 100 rue Rice, Edmundston, NB - see more details below |
| FRI JULY 04 | Drive from Edmundston to St John Ferry Terminal depart ~11:00 (D=4:00), buy dinner in St John for eating on ferry trip, take 16:45 ferry to Digby N.S. ("D"=3:00), then Drive from Digby to Chez Christophe Guest House (D=0:37) (Grosses Coques, N.S.) | Chez Christophe Guest House at 2655 Route 1, Grosses Coques, NS (GPS: 44.36777778N, 66.08444444W = 44-22-04N, 66-05-04W) |
| SAT JULY 05 | *Breakfast at Chez C. (6AM-9AM), *Lunch also at Chez C. (11:30); morning fun: drive to Mavillete (D=0:28) /Meteghan (D=0:17) & back for lunch (1 hr. total morning drive time), *After lunch: depart Chez C. and drive via old Hwy. 1 to Yarmouth light (D=1:02) (Stop at Sign of the Whale en route) *Arrive at lighthouse 13:30-14:00: might see Cat ferry coming in (arrives~13:30 for 16:00 dprtr.), *Buy rappie pie, milk, MINIMAL groceries in town *Explore Yarmouth area and depart by 16:15 *Drive Yarmouth to Shelburne (D=1:19) for dinner at 17:40 at Charlotte Lane Restaurant, Shelburne, NS (902-875-3314). *Drive from Shelburne to cottage (D=1:08), arrive around 19:30-20:00 (its ours from 15:00) (NB: Alternate route to cottage from Chez C. is this: via Keji/interior [2:28]) | S.W. Cove Cottage, near Port Medway until Sat. AM |
| SUN JULY 06 | Relax at cottage, get groceries in Bridgewater (Sobey's in the mall at 421 LaHave St. open Sun. 10-6, mall itself open 12-5) | dinner at cottage? |
| MON JULY 07 TUE JULY 08 WED JULY 09 THU JULY 10 FRI JULY 11 | DINING IDEAS: *Quarterdeck Grill, Summerville Beach *Innlet Cafe, Mahone Bay *TBD from Aunt Bev, Lunenburg *Lahave Bakery, Lahave (lunch) (buy extras for cottage) *Worlds Greatest Clams restaurant (lunch), between Summerville Beach and Hunts Point ACITIVTY IDEAS: *Brooklyn to Lahave explorations (1 day or more) *Beaches (Summerville, Carters, Keji S.A.) *Lunenburg & Mahone Bay *Halifax? | |
| SAT JULY 12 | Depart cottage NO LATER THAN 10AM. | Gillespie House Inn (B&B ) at 358 Main St., Parrsboro, NS |
| SUN JULY 13 | FUN STUFF - TBD | Gillespie House Inn (B&B ) at 358 Main St., Parrsboro, NS |
| MON JULY 14 | Drive from Gillespie House Inn B&B to either: (a) Parlee Beach near Shediac, NB (if weather is nice) (01:29), OR (b) Hopewell Rocks, NB (45.8284333333,-64.58253333333) (if weather is bad) (2:06) (low tide is 4:30PM, so you can walk on ocean floor from about 1:30PM) THEN: spend time at beach or Hopewell Rocks, leaving by about 3:30PM or 4PM Drive to Fredericton for dinner (2:04 from Parlee Beach) (2:25 from Hopewell Rocks) Drive to Edmundston for the night (2:56) (would arrive by 10PM depending on dinner duration) | Chateau Edmundston at 100 rue Rice, Edmundston, NB - see more details below |
| TUE JULY 15 | Drive to Quebec City (3:35): 8AM departure + 1hr stop (breakfast [in Riviere-Du-Loup] etc.) - 1hr TZ change: 11:35AM arrive in Quebec City LUNCH in Quebec City, then FUN STUFF IN QUEBEC CITY | |
| WED JULY 16 | FUN STUFF - TBD (in Quebec City) | |
| THU JULY 17 | | |
| FRI JULY 18 | | |
| SAT JULY 19 | | |
100, rue Rice Edmundston (N.B.) E3V 1T4. Phone: 506-739-7321
THU. JULY 3 Reservation Info (two rooms, one for each family):
Confirmation: Chi533386mmQCaCh
MON. JULY 14 Reservation Info (two rooms, one for each family): Number of rooms: 2
Total Price: 230 CAD
Price: No Taxes included
Breakfast is Extra
Comments: NON-smoking rooms please.
ROOM 1
Room Type: Double-Double-room
Number of adults: 2
Arrival Date: July 3, 2008, 6 pm
Departure Date: July 4, 2008
Stay: 1 night
non smoking room
Number of children with parents: 1
Pricing per night
1 night: 115 CAD
ROOM 2
Room Type: Double-Double-room
Number of adults: 2
Arrival Date: July 3, 2008, 6 pm
Departure Date: July 4, 2008
Stay: 1 night
non smoking room
Number of children with parents: 2
Pricing per night
1 night: 115 CAD
Thank you and have a nice stay
Confirmation: Chi447115AFQCaCh
Reservation Information
Number of rooms: 2
Total Price: 230 CAD
Price: No Taxes included, Breakfast is Extra
ROOM 1
Room Type: Double-Double-room
Number of adults: 2
Arrival Date: July 14, 2008, 5 pm
Departure Date: July 15, 2008
Stay: 1 night, non smoking room
Number of children with parents: 1
Pricing per night - 1 night: 115 CAD
ROOM 2
Room Type: Double-Double-room
Number of adults: 2
Arrival Date: July 14, 2008, 5 pm
Departure Date: July 15, 2008
Stay: 1 night, non smoking room
Number of children with parents: 2
Pricing per night - 1 night: 115 CAD
Saint John-Digby Ferry (& St. John Terminal): (Google Map)
170 Ferry Terminal Road, Saint John, New Brunswick E2M 0B2; Phone: 506-649-7777
(Bay Ferries reservation line: 1-877-762-7245)
Reservation Info (Ch. family ONLY):
Booking #: 778653
Reservation Info (Str. family ONLY): TRAVELLERS:
1. C Adult
2. F Adult
3. E Youth
Start day Time Route
Product Quantity Price
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7/4/2008 16:45 Saint John - Digby
Passenger 3 35.00
7/4/2008 16:45 Saint John - Digby
Vehicle LOW to 6'6'' 1 80.00
7/4/2008 16:45 Saint John - Digby
Web discount 1 -5.00
Fuel Charge 1 20.00
Total price: 200.00 CAD
Paid Amount: 200.00 CAD
Booking #: 778832
TRAVELLERS:
1. P Adult
2. S Adult
3. M Adult
4. M Youth
Start day Stop day Time Route
Product Quantity Price
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7/4/2008 16:45 Saint John - Digby
Passenger 4 36.25
7/4/2008 16:45 Saint John - Digby
Vehicle LOW to 6'6'' 1 80.00
7/4/2008 16:45 Saint John - Digby
Web discount 1 -5.00
Fuel Charge 1 20.00
Total price: 240.00 CAD
Paid Amount: 240.00 CAD
Address: 2655 Route 1, Grosses Coques, Nova Scotia. Phone: (902) 837-5817 (GPS: 44.36777777778,-66.084444444= 44-22-04N/66-05-04W )
(This is between exits 28 & 29 on Hwy. 101.)
Reservation Info (three rooms total [2 for Str. family, 1 for Ch. family]):
Rooms: 3 upstairs rooms (two with queen bed [can add cot to one], one with twin beds) ($85x2+$75)
Restaurant: breakfast reservations + 11:30AM lunch reservaitions (+5$ per person extra for restaurant?)
No credit card was needed; no confirmation number provided.
Address: 13 Charlotte Lane, Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Phone: (902) 875-3314
(This is via exit 25 or 26 off of Hwy. 103 into Shelburne). Swiss owner/chef!
Reservation Info: Sat. July 5 @ 5:40 PM, party of 7
Setting: Between Bridgewater and Liverpool N.S., near Port Medway
Address: Southwest Cove Point, 343 S.W. Cove Road, Port Medway, NS B0J 2T0
Phone Number: 902-677-2490
- From Hwy. 103, take exit 17A towards Port Medway (i.e. southeast)
- Go 4.2 km to S.W. Cove Road (dirt road on the left)
- Go 1.9 km in (past several driveways on the right) to civic sign 343 (on the left)
- Take driveway in 0.4 km to the two cottages: ours is the far one.
One week rental: arrive > 3PM SAT JULY 5, leave < 10AM SAT JULY 12
Nearby Places Of Interest: Reservations already paid as of early April. Key location information not recorded here.
Cottage Rental Company Details:
Local contacts: Robert & Kathy Fish, Tel. 902-634-7274 (office), 902-634-4171 (home), 902-529-2267 (cell), or 1-800-780-3682 (www.stayinnovascotia.com)
Cottage owner is Stuart Taylor; (Here is a copy of the cottage rental contract)
- route to Lunenburg (0:50)
- route to Mahone Bay (0:45)
- route to Chester (1:00)
- route to downtown Halifax (1:45)
- route to Peggy's Cove (1:50) (Peggy's Cove=44.492725, -63.917565)
- route to Bridgewater (0:30; towards Halifax) (has Sobey's, Walmart, ...), town's web site & maps
- route to Liverpool (0:18,towards Yarmouth) (nearest town, but small/not much here)
- route to Summerville Beach Provincial Park & The Quarterdeck Grill Restaurant (0:27; towards Yarmouth) (GPS: 43.954578,-64.814789) (Quarterdeck Grill Phone #Toll Free 1-800-565-1119 / Phone 1-902-683-2998)
- route to Carters Beach (highly recommended by Darrell) (0:32) (GPS: 43.911544,-64.827447 )
- route to Kejimkujik (Keji) Seaside Adjunct (park entrance [near Port Joli] GPS: 43.84176, -64.85757 ) (0:50) (<$15 for family [info/phone (902) 682-2772])Some info below on trails from this birding site: http://maybank.tripod.com/BSNS/Queens.htm#sitesTrail Map (master), trail info (2 beautiful hikes: the easier & shorter one is a 5.2 km return trip [2 hr easy hike]); from trail info link:
The trail network for Keji Seaside Adjunct is divided into 2 trails Harbour Rocks Trail & Port
Joli Head Trail. The park is day use only, camping is available at Thomas Raddall Provincial Park.The Parks arrival facilities are wheel chair accessible, however the hiking trails are not.Harbour Rocks Trail is 5.2 km return trip which starts at the parking lot, passing through a mixedforest of conifer, maple and birch. Near the coast, the forest changes to mainly spruce and fir.The trail emerges through a dense shrub cover dominated by alder and sheep laurel. It is wellmaintained Spring to Fall with boardwalks over the marshy areas.The Harbour Rocks Trail route followsthe shoreline to the western end of St. Catherines River beach. Expect to see hundreds of harbourseals lying on the rocks just off the trail, it is also a tremendous location for bird watching.Signs of former human habitation are common also: stone fences, rock foundations, old clearings, andcattle trails. Due to the nesting habits of the endangered Piping Plover, approximately two thirds ofthe St. Catherine's River Beach is closed to the public between late April and mid August.The Port Joli Head Trail branches from the Harbour Rocks Trail, crosses the extensive bog on boardwalk,passes beside small patches of forest, follows the edge of the coast to Port Joli Head and loops alongthe shoreline to Harbour Rocks a 8.7km hike beginning at the parking lot. The Trail follows the coastlinepast Isaacs Harbour, MacLeods Cove & Boyds Cove. Along the coast watch for seals, eider ducks andcormorants on the ocean; sandpipers, yellowlegs and piping plovers on the shore.The trails are gravelled, well-signed, with comfort stations, viewing stations, and interpretivepanels available. There is no maintenance schedule during Winter. All dogs must be on a leash throughoutthe park. MORE ITEMS TBD...
- St. Gregory's Roman Catholic Church, 134 Old Bridge St., Liverpool (902) 354-2777 (map)
- St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Parish, 115 Pleasant Street, Bridgewater (902) 543-2184 [office: (902) 543-2184 / priest: (902) 543-2184] (map)
- St. Norbert's Catholic Church, 121 York, Bridgewater(902) 543-2184 (map)
Address: 358 Main Street, Parrsboro, NS
Reservation Info: Confirmation # 080712-4, Check-in > 2PM, Davison and the McGilvary rooms
Phone Number: Toll Free: 877-901-3196 / (902)254-3196
- Take old Hwy. 2 into Parrsboro from the east (Truro)
- In Parrsboro, where Hwy. 2 (local street Eastern Ave.) takes a sharp turn right (becoming local street Upper Main), turn right with it
- The B&B is on this block on the right side, beside Saint Brigid's Glebe - Roman Catholic church, tel. 902-254-2228)
- route to Ship's Company Theatre (00:01) - Ship's Company Theatre 2008 Season Info
- route to Five Islands Provincial Park (00:21) (park web site) (free) (GPS: 45.40778055555555,-64.0215=45-24-28.01N, 64-01-17.40W)
- route to Cape Chignecto Provincial Park (00:40) (fee TBD, park web site, more park info including 2007 park flyer ) (GPS: 45.34951944444,-64.823355556=45-20-58.27N, 64-49-24.08W)
- route to Joggins Fossil Cliffs/Centre (0:44) (GPS: 45-41-46.03N/64-27-00.12W = 45.69611944444,-64.4500333333333)
- Other ideas from the Gillespie House B&B activites page here: http://www.gillespiehouseinn.com/activities/activities.html
Address: 44 Côte du Palais, Quebec City
Reservation Info: Confirmation #185021 and #185023, Check-in > 3PM (adjoining rooms with 2 double beds)
(in the new section, upper floor requested, $245 per night, $569.68 total with taxes)
Phone Number: Toll Free: 1-800-463-6283 / 418-692-1030
Directions (
- Directions: Take exit 314 from the 20 to merge onto the Autoroute 73 (for 9.1 km)
- Take exit 139 E for Autoroute 440 E (Charest E) (for 3.7 km)
- Turn right onto Ave. St-Sacrement (for 0.6 km)
- Turn left at Chemin Ste-Foy (continue on as it turns into Rue St-Jean) (for 3.9 km total)
- Turn left at Cote du Palais (for 77m to hotel)
- TBD
Hi Colin,
Well the big trip is soon coming up. That is a great itinerary that you drew up. I have added some additional suggestions for your week in Nova Scotia depending on time and interest.
1. As you come off the ferry in Digby it's only a mile to drive up to the Pines Hotel. Its one of the old railway hotels and lovely grounds. You can see it all in 10 minutes. The dinning room is good for a hotel but you are eating at Chez Christopher (and we know that is good!).
2. If you have not made reservations for supper at Chez Christopher then you should do so Right Now as they fill up weeks in advance. If you are not having breakfast at Chez C the next morning( and they do have a good breakfast menu) then you should arrange to buy some of their muffins/biscuits to take with you to the cottage. (Bev remembers the muffins as very large, though.)
3. On Route 1. 20 miles from Digby going to the Valley is Upper Clementsport. There is a small theme park (small) that have some rides that would be of interest to the kids.( small rollercoaster and water slides) Also a small Zoo there. (The Zoo is just across the street from the rides but I am quite sure the price includes the Zoo.) Maybe "Zoo" is not correct as I think they are NS animals. You could also plan this as a day trip from your cottage if the weather is poor on the South Shore and good on the Valley section. Just take route 8 across country from Liverpool, about hour and half.
4. If your friend is going straight to the cottage via route 8 then have him visit Kejimkujik National Park, just to scout it out if you want to visit it later.It is a camping site. Its not too far in off the route 8 highway. Good nature trails and a lake beach.
5. If you are going the long route via Yarmouth then if the weather is good then go via the Pubnicos otherwise take route 103 through to Barrington Passage. At Barrington Passage there is an old grist mill to look at. About a mile outside of Barrington Passage there is a home style cooking restaurant which is quite nice.
6. Shelburne is full of Colonial history and is a nice little town to visit and walk around. There are places for bird watching but you would have to ask at the Tourist Bureau which is on the waterfront. Charlottes Lane is an up scale restaurant in Shelburne which is one of the few top restaurants to eat in NS as is Chez C. By top restaurants I don't mean expensive...just good quality.
7. At Port Mouton make sure you take time some day to visit Carter Beach. It's not developed but is truly one of the best beaches in NS. Take your camera for this one. No washrooms etc. but beautiful to see.
8. Another 1/2 day trip would be to Seaside Adjunct Kejimkujik Nat. Park. There are trails there to take you to the beaches. Not for swimming but to see the seals and the birds. Don't forget to take sunscreen, lots of insect repellant. A Word of Caution is that each day you should check your bodies for deer ticks which can burrow under the skin. They are found along the South Shore coast and inland...one of our well kept secrets from tourists.
9. A delightful Provincial Park beach is Summerville beach. Not crowded, the water is cold (so what else is new). Check out the condo style cottage there for another visit. Check out the Quarterdeck Restaurant as it is probably the best restaurant closest to you other than White Point Lodge which I would not recommend.
10. Between Summerville Beach and Hunts point is "Worlds Greatest Clams Restaurant". Good place to eat for fresh fish,the casual canteen style and good ice cream. There are not a lot of restaurants in the area where you are staying and Liverpool is not a great place for food. Nearest MacDonalds , Burger King etc is Bridgewater which is 25 minutes from your cottage.
11. However, I would recommend that you go see White Point Lodge. It has a nice beach( not as nice as Summerville). It has a small golf course and the high point is that they have small bunnies running around by the entrance to Reservations and the kids can buy bunny food at the desk and feed them. They actually advertise the bunny thing.
12. In Liverpool there is not much to see but Colin might want to see the Sherman Hines Museum of Photography and Galleries. He is one of NS best known photographers. Also located there is Perkins House for those that like to look at old house. Not sure but there maybe a Hank William's museum near Liverpool.
13. Explore along the coast from Brooklyn to La Have. You are situated in some of the most beautiful coastal areas in NS. There are wharves where you can see the fishing boats and to fish off. Probably can buy some fresh fish and lobster there. (?)There are a few souvenir shops and painting galleries along this section. Plan an excursion to Volgers Cove, Cherry Hill, Broad Cove and on to Petite Reviere ( go to the hill at the top of Petite Reviere and look over the whole coast line. Go down the road about three miles to Green Bay and look at the beaches there. Then travel back about 4 miles to Rissers Beach with a Provincial Park. Great beach and boardwalk there. Don't linger too long as you want to go down the road another mile to Crescent Beach. Two choices here for driving. If the tide is out drive the car on the beach (mile) or go to the left and you are on the back of the beach( sand dunes serve as a breakwater). Look here for the blue herons to photograph. Then continue on over the beach to Bell Island and visit some of the wharves. Its not a large island so it might take 15 minutes to visit.
14. Then it is of to La Have. Plan to have lunch there at the La Have bakery. Nothing like it in NS. Plan to buy extra bread, cookies, sweets etc to take back to the cottage. Plan your lunch so you can time it with the car ferry in La have. Runs every 1/2 hour on the hour but you had better check the timing. !5 minutes across. The bakery is very, very casual and sometimes you cannot eat inside as they don't have many seats but it is unique and if you can time it right for lunch that would be good.
Now 13 and 14 would fill a whole day so you may want to come back this route another day and go to Lunenburg via the ferry.
15.On the Lunenburg side you can drive around the beaches at Kingsburg, Riverport and then drive up to explore the caves at the Ovens. They used to do gold mining there. Worth seeing for the kids (and you.) People picnic and camp there.
16. Lunenburg...Great little town which was designated a United Nations Historical site. Great to walk around and see the shops. Usual tourist restaurants on the water front. Fisheries Museum is there with old sailing boats. Get lots of pictures. (Bev will try to get the name of a restaurant there as she doesn't like some.)
17. Don't spend all your time in Lunenburg. Go the short distance up to Mahone Bay. Great to walk around and visit the craft shops. Pewter shop and pottery shop are good to visit. There is the Inlet Cafe on the outskirts of Mahone Bay for lunch or dinner. Very good..be prepared to wait. Colin...one of the best photograph shots in Nova Scotia Is the Three Churches in Mahone Bay down by the Inlet Cafe. To get the shot, just pass the Inlet Cafe and take the road to the right about 800 feet and shoot across the water. They make great biscuits (depending on what you order maybe:)
18. Bridgewater is the business center for the area with malls and fast food restaurants that you would see anywhere's else. However, I should mention that it has the regional hospital there and hopefully you will not need it. There is a place just outside Bridgewater called the Turkeyburger which is a small unique canteen. Only go there if you have time and ask for directions. A popular spot for the locals but off the beaten track.
19. If you make a day trip to Peggys Cove be sure and drop into Chester to see the town and craft shops. The route 329 from East River to Fox Point 1/2 hour drive is a good coastal drive and you can see the memorial to the Swiss air flight that went down off the coast there 10 years ago and a few cold water beaches.
20. Halifax has the Discovery Centre for the kids, around town bus tour, Citidal Hill War Museum with changing of the guard and cannon shot at noon. Harbour Hopper tour of the waterfront and downtown which is a fun tour, Museum of the Atlantic,Tons of restaurants and pubs downtown.
21. After your week at the cottage and then on to Parrsbroo you may wish to make the side trip to Peggys Cove and then on to the 102 to Truro and then the #2 to Parrsboro. Or take the #10 from Oak Hill across to Middeleton to see the Annapolis valley.( Old road and not much to see)( the Valley is beautiful with small towns and farmland) or the shorter road from Chester Basin to Kentville ( #12)
You could visit Wolfville and Acadia University and The Irving Centre with its greenhouse, or go up to The Lookoff at Blomidom. The Acadian centre at Grand Pre is quite beautiful. Then proceed to Windsor and take the 215 along the coast to Truro and then up to Parrsboro. Its a narrow road and slow but you see a lot of the coast line . It also saves coming to Halifax and back down the 101 to Truro.
22. I've only been along the Parrsboro route a few time and its not my favourite section in NS. However, Parrsboro is a nice small village and you will enjoy the theatre there. Not sure where it is located but its along that road ( That Old Dutchman Farm ) that sells cheese. Also visit out at Provincial Park at Cape Chignecto. There are a few beaches ( cold water and rocky) that are interesting.You should take in the Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro. also take a look at Driftwood Park Retreat in Advocate Harbour...go to the beach to take pictures with all the driftwood on it. www.driftwoodretreat.com.jjj
Festivals
Privateer Days in Liverpool is July 3-6 just when you arrive and South Shore Exhibition in Bridgewater July 10 -27. Not top of my list but you will see local color...cows, horse pulls, music show at night, firewoks?, rides for the kids, parades. Its things that tourists do when htere is not much else to do :-).
You have more than enough to do and less time to do it in. You certainly picked a great area to cottage and this will give you the advantage of your day trips or just sitting still and enjoying nature. Review this and if you wish me to expand on any certain location, route, entertainment then please get back to me.
Thanks for all the help you have been to Allison. After her trip to Costa Rica I'm sure she will get a Toronto college placement and accommodations to her liking.
Take care Darrell
Bev said if we can be of any help when you come near Halifax just let us know. We can barbecue for you or tend children:) whatever works for you (if anything.)
posted by strathlight # 7:03 AM 
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