Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia - June 25 - June 26, 2015

Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia - June 25 - June 26, 2015

June 25, 2015

Today is a big day of driving.  We go 162 miles, which should take about 4 hours.  We will have dinner on our own and can go on our own to Digby to check on scallops.  Since we are not big scallop eaters, we decided not to try that, but those that went, loved the scallops.

We broke up the drive by stopping at Grande Pre National Historical Site.  This museum was VERY informative.  Grande Pre was a farming settlement created in the 1680’s by the Acadians.  The Acadians came from France.  The lived in harmony with the Mi’kmaq people, Native Americans referred to as the First Nation.   The English wanted the Acadians to make a pact to fight with the English against the French.  Acadians were a very nonviolent people that would not engage in fighting.  Therefore, the English had the Acadians deported.

Wally the tour guide for the Cemetery Tour

Though Stan wasn’t interest, Bev decided to hitch a ride with one of the other couples and go to the Cemetery “Ghost Tour”.  We all carried lanterns, and Wally, our guide, told many stories of the history of the area.  Wally is a multi-generational Acadian, and is very instrumental in keeping the history alive. 




Bev with her lantern at the Cemetery Ghost Tour

Wally told of the many Acadians that were buried there, that had not had any headstones.  A memorial was placed there to mark the area – even though it is not known how many there actually are.  The Acadians, as we have found out, were treated very poorly by the English.

We were amazed at how many people were on the tour, including children.  There were 62 in total.  Many of the people could just walk over from the many Bed & Breakfasts in the area.

We didn’t get back to the RV Park until 11:30 p.m.   Stan and the boys (Monte & Max) were sound asleep.  

June 26, 2015

Over the door at the Fort

The School Bus arrived at 8:45 and we were off for the Annapolis Royal Bus Tour.  We started out at Fort Anne.  This is the same location that the cemetery tour took place the night before.  We were told more about the history of the fort and the Acadian people.

Guides at Fort Anne

View from Fort Anne
 




Bev & Stan at Fort Anne

The guides at the fort had wooden shoes.  They told us that the only people in the fort were men.  We were able to see the various level of sleeping accommodations.  The enlisted men had to sleep on a mat on the floor on the second floor.   The officers had cots in another section.  The Governor had the best section of the fort.   Keeping warm in the winter was an issue.  They put the sick soldiers in a cot that had a door that would close.  It was near the fires to keep it warmer for them.





The highlight of the tour was viewing the Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry.  Over 100 volunteers crafted this colorful 8 foot x 18 foot work using some three million stitches. 



Panel I of the Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry

Panel II of the Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry

Panel III of the Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry

 

Panel IV of the Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry

We were then taken to the German Bakery for lunch.  Lunch started with a tasty soup, followed by a sandwich, then dessert.   Stan had a roast beef sandwich and Bev had salami sandwich.  The salami was more like a liverwurst.   Everything was great.

The final stop of the bus tour was the Annapolis Royal Gardens.  It was a little early in the season for the flowers to be in full bloom.  They had a very hard winter and a late start for the plants. 

We finished the day going to the market and ordering two lobsters for dinner.   Bev also had her picture taken with a 13 pound lobster.  We didn’t buy that one.



Stan waiting for the tour to be OVER



The Oldest Home in Annapolis Royal