Winter Walks

One of my true pleasures at the Beach House is to take winter walks. I try to take a winter walk every day that I am there over the Christmas holidays, and I'd like to share some of my memories of these walks with you.

Always, the first thing I do to get ready is to go out on one of the balconies and check the weather, and sometimes I am so surprised with something so unexpectedly beautiful that I am absolutely overwhelmed! That is what happened to me one day in January 2003. There was lots of snow over the holidays, and lots of bright days, and one morning I happened to notice how gorgeous the snow looked on the front balcony table and benches. It reminded me of lots of things - calm, peace, creativity, and of whipped cream on coffee or hot chocolate, puffy homemade baking powder biscuits and mushrooms.

Isn't this wonderful?

Where else would you find pink and yellow snow, with the Bay of Fundy in the background?

After I've checked the weather, I bundle up and start off, down the lane and on to Hatfield Road. I listen for birds and watch for animal tracks and move along at a nice quick pace. As those of you who've visited the Beach House know, the house is on a point of land at the end of a small forest area. As I walk along the road through the trees, I often think about the first walk I ever took along this road, on my own. I was five and both my maternal grandparents were still alive. My family and other relatives were staying at my Auntie Em's cottage, which is near the Beach House. For reasons I no longer remember, Auntie Em and I were on our own that day. I absolutely adored my aunt, but as the day moved along, I was getting bored and decided I'd like to visit my grandfather - Grampe John. By the end of the next year, both my grandparents would have died, but at that time, they were both fairly active and living in the house that my grandfather, a skilled carpenter, had built for them in Fox River before they were married.

Thanks to Marisa Victor for this picture which shows the Beach House nestled in the trees.

Auntie Em was a very industrious person and busy with something just then. She told me that I could make the visit, but that I'd have to go on my own. She did agree to go with me to the edge of the woods. We packed a basket of cookies and started out. I felt like Little Red Ridinghood! We got through the woods, and I had a few second thoughts about going on my own, but Auntie Em had things to do. So, away I went. The sense of adventure and accomplishment from making the mile and a half walk on my own, past a few scary places, is still so vivid that I could weep over it. By the time I arrived at my grandparents' house, with my little basket of cookies in hand, I had the walk and scary parts well under control and was loving every minute of it. I look back on that day as a turning point in my life, and am filled with gratitude that my aunt encouraged me to take on this adventure on my own and that she was confident that I could do so.

I move along and stop and look back to see the Beach House through the trees, and to admire the amazing and ever-changing views of the marsh. I think of the Acadians who must have built the dike and the people who harvested marsh hay there. I also think of all the times we went cranberry and apple picking with our Mother, and how good and clean a berry and apple picker she was.

I follow along the road and make a left, to go by my grandfather's fields on my right and soon reach the cabin and barn, which my Dad built in the 60s. My good friends Al and Elaine Smith, who live in Sackville, New Brunswick, call this The Royal York, and they peal with laughter when they say it. I always get a kick out of them doing this. The cabin is a cozy place, and has its own unique pleasures, just as the Beach House has, and I often stay there in the warm months.

Past the cabin, I go by the old schoolhouse, which is now the summerhouse for a lovely family from Toronto. This family have two sweet little boys, and I'm looking forward to visits from them as soon as they get old enough for small adventures.

My Mother and all her brothers and sisters went to this school, she taught there and her father was on the School Board. I can remember a long-ago visit to the school, sometime when our family came up from Halifax to visit my grandparents. At the time, I would have loved to have been part of the action, as all the grades were in one room. I am having Jeff Morris do some work on the cabin and barn, and am colour coordinating it with the school house, so the view will blend in nicely for walkers, especially me, on the road.

View on the way back to the Beach House.

Past the schoolhouse, I head up the hill and make a left turn on the paved highway towards the main part of the villages. At Christmas, almost every house is decorated, and people tend to keep their lights on for hours. With snow on the decorations, roofs and trees, it is just beautiful - like everyone's fantasy of Christmases past! Going through the village, I arrive at a building which is owned by the telephone company, past all the lovely old white houses, and then turn around and admire the ocean and water and watch for the Beach House all the way back.

It is my hope that all visitors to the Beach House will create their own activities and special memories from the time they spend in this magical place.

December 2003

Imagine being at the beach and enjoying an old-fashioned country Christmas. Imagine looking at your tree, completely decorated with vintage ornaments, and looking at spectacular views of Cape Split and Blomidon in the background, while thinking about Santa and the reindeer skimming across the Bay of Fundy to go down the chimney at the Beach House.

If you look carefully, you can see Cape Split and Blomidon through the windows on your left.

Liz's Mum, 92 in October 2003 and going strong, really enjoys the Beach House at Christmas. She loves having the table set with this vintage tablecloth - being at the Beach House gives her a chance to remember her childhood in Fox River.

Bring in the New Year at the New Year's Levee at Parrsboro Town Hall. Isn't Mayor Doug Robinson's Chain of Office just great? Do you see the Queen in the background?

Maple Syrup Time in Nova Scotia

March and April are maple sugar months in Nova Scotia. An absolute must if you're in the area then is to visit Davison's Maple Lodge on the outskirts of Parrsboro. Charles Davison owns and operates the Lodge and he will be sure make you feel welcome when you visit. When you go, just for fun, tell him you read about the Lodge and his maple syrup in The Coast News.

Nestled in rolling hills and on the family homestead of many generations, Davison's Maple Lodge gives you a chance to learn about harvesting maple syrup and making maple products and, a terrific opportunity to sample Charles' good home cooking in his one-month-a-year café. For information about times the café is open or to arrange a tour, call Charles at 902-254-2562.

Liz visited Charles in early January. Charles gave her a bottle of syrup to take back to Toronto, and it is delicious! Charles cooking for the cafe; a sign you won't miss; making maple candy maple syrup ready for eating! .

To learn more about how The Hatfield Centre was created and the services it provides, take a look at the Fall 2003 issue of The Yorke Report.

The Stowaway is for sale - Cathy Henwood and Carol Duffy need a change after 27 years of developing this successful business.

The Stowaway has a beautiful view of the Parrsboro Harbour and is just 2 minutes walk from The Ships Company Theatre. This very close proximity to Ships Company is a great advantage for this thriving business, especially since Ships Company will be able to extend its season once the facility, which will incorporate the Kipowa, is finished. For more information about this interesting business opportunity, call Carol Duffy at 902-254-3371.

Project Prosauropod

This is an amazing opportunity for you to become part of Project Prosauropod - which is located at the Fundy Geological Museum just outside Parrsboro. You can watch researchers uncover a 200 million year old skeleton of a prosauropod dinosaur. Check in every week to see the week's discoveries, new animations and photos, or sign up to get an e-mail from them every time the page is updated.

Lobster Bait For Sale: Al Taylor has lobster bait for sale; for details, call him in Parrsboro at 902-254-2698.

Need Someone to Move Furniture From Toronto to Fox River, Nova Scotia: Liz Yorke needs someone to move some furniture from Yonge/Eglinton in Toronto to Fox River; contact Liz at liz@lizyorke.com or 416-481-4096 for details.

The Hatfield Centre - Conference Centre & Retreat: Hold your next AGM, planning session, or workshop at this unique coastal setting; captivate your clients, colleagues and stakeholders by providing an opportunity for them to enjoy themselves & rejuvenate; treat your corporate visitors to the province to a quality experience in this enchanting setting; visit www.hatfieldcentre.com for ideas or contact Liz Yorke at liz@lizyorke.com or at 416-481-4096.