While in Toronto last week, I contacted Sinead and Rob who had purchased Andrew’s property across the road. They manage a business, Just be Woodsy in Toronto.
They make furniture from trees cut down by the city. Eventually, they plan to reside full time in Paradise.
Last week, I was contacted by Celes Davar at Earth Rhythms. He is interested in experiential tourism in the Annapolis Valley. That includes working with food suppliers, such as orchards and vineyards.
My thoughts turned to all the COGS students who have graduated since my time in the 1980’s. Many have now reached retirement age. Perhaps it is time to go down memory lane.
Annapolis County, Lawrencetown, COGS could become an educational tourist destination. I had had the same thought when there was talk of Gordonstoun, Nova Scotia (click my previous posts, for example, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE). Instead it looks like it will locate in Pictou County (see Saltwire) The good news is it will continue the tradition of McCullough and the Pictou Ccademy. Check my earlier blog post on the Stepsure Letters.
This week, we have meetings at COGS on agriculture in Annapolis County, as well as the AGM for the CANMAP research institute. Each offers an opportunity to connect town and gown, or college and community.
After our time in Toronto, my brother Peter and I are looking at the role of place in our lives. Especially, West London and our grandparents (nurseryman and taxi driver). They were both self-employed businessmen. We hope to explore this matter in the Fall.
Finally, in the words of Raymond Hunter, planter of the orchard across the road.
”Bloom where you are planted “.
Heather found a mug at the Annapolis Royal Gardens shop with this inscription. She gave it to Julia as a house present in Toronto.
Postscript
I found Gary Jennings book ’Aztec’, for John Wightman, at Books Galore in Coldbrook. Heather found Kent Thompson ’Biking to Blissville’ (see blog post HERE).
From the Bridgetown ride,
“You can ride through Buckler’s words and Tolmie’s pictures (and words too – his text for A Rural Life) is full of insights) on this loop out of Bridgetown. The ride is through beautiful farming country. Buckler and Tolmie ask you to think twice about beauty.” p.150.
Acknowledgements
We shared an excellent Indian curry, cooked by Stephane and Jess, tenants across the road, on Sunday night. Sinead and Rob for information on their Toronto business. Celes for his interest in the orchard geography. Edward added the links. Heather added her stories.
References
Just be woodsy at justbewoodsy.com
Earth Rhythms at earthrhythms.ca
The Stepsure Letters blog post December 14, 2021.
Kent Thompson, 1993, Biking to Blissville: A Cycling Guide to the Maritimes and the Magdalen Islands, Goose Lane Editions.
Ernest Blair Experiment 
3 thoughts on “Home Place”