pubnico

I wrote about our travels to Pubnico, Nova Scotia two years ago here. We followed the same trail again last week, driving 6 hours from Portland, Maine to St. John, New Brunswick, where the wood sculptures of John Hooper greeted us around every corner.

We arrived in complete fog, and tried to blend in.

While taking the typical photo of a local landmark, an alien figure clanked into view.

What a delight to meet Alphonse Elric on his way to ConFusion.

We boarded the Princess of Acadia for our 3 hour cruise to Digby, Nova Scotia with low visibility. Other than a jumpy pack of cadets, most were relaxing inside the lounge. I drew this drowsing passenger.

Marty sketched some window views.

The sun was shining in Digby where the low tide aroma filled our senses.

We left the highway to ride up the Acadian shore, through Clare’s Festival Acadien and past this familiar eglise shrouded in fog.

With great delight we finally arrived chez d’Entremont.

Our host, Nicole d’Entremont, an author and retired educator, is heir to a legacy of ancestors who settled the Pubnico area, where her father left at 18 for other shores. He returned for visits as a young father and architect, designing this simple A-frame in the mid-sixties. It inspired my sketch of the front of the house, done while squawking seagulls commuted overhead between two nearby fish plants.

Marty was up in the field behind the house, drawing another view.

Later, Daisy took this photo of the A-frame aglow.

She was excited to meet some Canadian kids, Ashley and Isaac, when we were invited next door to see fireworks celebrating the Festival acadien. We’d visited the Musee Acadien where a massive collection of vintage cameras is displayed.

This groovy quilt was in progress. Can I have it?

I spotted this curious toy, perhaps for a child writer?

Nicole led us on several long walks to coves, cemeteries, and the nearby Sea Life Fisheries, where herring is processed.

We visited again the magnificent Pubnico Point Wind Farm, strolling under the turbines. The clean air makes Daisy jump for joy, again!

What a terrific break from technology. Having space and time for long conversations, skipping rocks, walking old train routes, whale watching, and drawing was utterly nourishing.

I found a spot on the shore rocks below the A-frame to draw a view past piles of driftwood.

Dinners by sunset, rappy pie, and seeing the Milky Way.

Thank you, Nicole! As we await your return to Peaks Island, we hold Pubnico dear in our hearts.