On Sunday, it was time for a road trip to New Glasgow. Heather had baked two pies: a spinach and bacon quiche, and an apple pie with crumble topping. This time, after Truro, we headed to Earltown, Brule and River John.
Passing by Nuttby Mountain, we remembered the Hermit of Gully Lake, written by Joan Baxter. Further along the Berichan Road, I was reminded of Peter Sanger’s book Spar: Words in Place. We also recalled attending ‘Read by the Sea’ at the Firehall in River John.
Left at 7 am home by 7 pm. We spent the day with Great Grandad John and managed to FaceTime with all six great grandchildren. Siqsiq, the lone Inuit sled dog came along for the ride. It was an excellent day.
On Monday, I wanted to check the ephemeral Spring flowers that grow along the banks of the Annapolis River. It is a special habitat under Red Oak and White Pine, on riverine sands and gravel.
We found Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia), Nodding Trillium (Trillium cernuum) and Bellwort (Uvularia sessifolia), undisturbed on Andrew’s property. This reminded me that now is a good time to rediscover these special botanical places, along the River, as well as in the beech woods on the slopes of North Mountain.
With the late frosts and dry, sunny days, it remains a challenge to plant out seedlings from the greenhouse. We really do need a couple of cool, rainy days.
Acknowledgements
Heather for the baking, travel companionship and botanical expertise. Edward for the technical graphics.
References
AE Roland and AR Olson, 1993. Spring Wild Flowers, Nimbus NSM.
Joan Baxter, 2005. The Hermit of Gully Lake: the life and times of Willard Kitchener MacDonald, Pottersfield Press.
Peter Sanger, 2002. Spar: Words in Place, Gaspereau Press.
Ernest Blair Experiment 