Grohmann Knives, Pictou, Nova Scotia

On a recent visit to Pictou, I just had to take a picture of the knife jutting out of the building at the Grohmann Knives Outlet. Whenever I visit the town of Pictou and drive by this location, my question always is, "who threw this knife?"

Grohmann Knives Limited is a small family-owned business in Nova Scotia. To these guys, making knives is as much an art as a trade. Their top quality knives are produced with as many as 53 steps between starting point & finished product.

When my sister got married and received a set of Grohmann knives as a present, I grew to realize that these are superior knives. In fact, they are the only knives I use in my kitchen. Nothing cuts my homemade bread better.

I often take advantage of the blade sharpening clinics that take place in various parts of the province.

Next time in Pictou, take a free factory tour. It's a "cut above the rest" (okay, I couldn't resist!)

Pomquet Acadian Trails (Sentiers Acadiens de Pomquet)

Last weekend, my family and I made a quick visit to the village Pomquet. Located on the Northumberland Shore, this area was settled in 1761 by Acadians and it is one of the friendliest places in Nova Scotia.

We hiked a series of trails that led us through the Monks Head Provincial Park Reserve. The trail started just behind Chez Deslauriers, an Acadian historic site overlooking the magnificent expanse of Pomquet Beach. There are five trails starting with the Beach trail and ending with the Coastal trail. These trails (with the exception of the Coastal Trail) shoot off the main trail to their own loop. We decided to hike along the main trail along the coast.

The trail led us through a field, a wooded area and along the rocky shore of St. George’s Bay that offered stunning views of Cape Breton from across the water. Every now and then we’d have an opportunity to look (from a safe distance) over the edge to see the cliffs below. These cliffs are rapidly eroding and many well posted signs reminded us of this.

The only animals we encountered were two friendly red squirrels, very cute to see as they were as curious about them as they were about us. What weren’t so cute were Poison Ivy plants that were scattered along the outskirts of part of trail. As long as you steer clear of them, there would be no problem. We discovered cranberries along the shore were abundant and ripe for picking. Note to self for next fall: bring a bag.

This was a wonderful easy to moderate level hike with amazing views.


How to get there?
Pomquet is a 20 minute drive from Antigonish. Follow the 104 hwy (east)and watch for the large Pomquet sign.
Map

Pomquet Beach

Amherst Shore Provincial Park, Northumberland Shore, Nova Scotia

On Monday, Steve and I went to visit our friend Glenn at his family's cottage near the Amherst Shore Provincial Park. Although the weather wasn't really cooperating with us, we did manage to take a lovely walk on the beach in the afternoon between showers.

To my delight, Glenn showed me how to find a myriad of sea creatures in the red mud that lines the shore. We spotted baby crabs, star fishes, and more. Since it was low tide, we were able to walk through and around the puddles, squishing our bare feet in the soft mud. What fun!

All day, Glenn's mom June spoiled us with yummy food, including the best shortbread cookies in the world. To top things off, we also played a merry round of 45s - a popular card game I grew up playing with my own family in the Annapolis Valley.

This was my first experience on the Northumberland Shore of Nova Scotia, but it certainly won't be my last.

Sugar Moon Farm, Northumberland Shore, Nova Scotia(Angela & Ken - Part 3 of 6)

I've known my friend Angela since kindergarten. When she found out I had started this blog, she sent me a series of great stories and photos from her travels with her partner Ken. In this, her third story, she tells of a fun place to visit in the Northumberland Shore Region:

"In January, when we were home for a visit with Ken's family we went to Sugar Moon Farm for a sleigh ride and yummy all-you-can-eat pancakes with yummy maple syrup. Sugar Moon is definitely a great family spot in Nova Scotia and lots of fun."

Cambra Sands, Malagash, Nova Scotia(Angela & Ken - Part 1 of 6)

I've known my friend Angela since kindergarten. When she found out I had started this blog, she sent me a series of great stories and photos from her travels with her partner Ken. In this, her first story, she tells of a beautiful place in the Northumberland Shore Region:

"Cambra Sands is awesome. The cottages are awesome - brand new with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs and board games and bbqs and well everything you would every want at a cottage. We loved it there. And you can get massages on site. And have lobster boils.

"Malagash is a great little spot, lots of sandy beaches to walk and Jost Winery is close by, as well as the Tim Hortons camp. Ken's grandparents had a cottage in Malagash when he was young and it is a place filled with great memories for him - Cambra Sands actually is on the same beach that he played on as a kid."