Happy Canada Day!

Oh to be in Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia on the 1st of July with temperatures in the 60s F, the sun shining, porpoise swimming in the Annapolis River, the Annual Pig Roast at the Community Hall, and watching fireworks over Fort Anne at 10:00pm from the front porch of A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast...

And, with Natal Days Weekend just a month away, you still have a chance to explore the beauty and history of Annapolis Royal and celebrate where Canada began.

The Halls of Granville Nova Scotia

On a relaxing bicycle ride from A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast down Granville Road, known as North America's oldest road, we visited my Hall family ancestors at Stoney Beach Cemetery early in the summer. From the first John Hall who came from Massachusetts in 1761 to Elizabeth 'Bessie' Hall, "the Seafaring Maiden of Granville", and many family members in between, Stoney Beach Cemetery is truly a walk through my Hall family history. Bill and I have had many guests at our B&B, A Seafaring Maiden, visit the Annapolis Royal area to do much the same; explore their family ancestry, often with the assistance of the knowledgeable Ryan Scranton and Wayne Morgan at the O'Dell Museum. If your family ancestry research brings you to the Annapolis Royal area, we would love to be your 'home base', as well, your encouragement in this most valuable endeavour.

Blessings,
Ann Marie

Summer's Ripe for the Picking at A Seafaring Maiden

The Summer 'berry season' is upon us with beautiful strawberries 'fresh picked' in the morning, processed into jam in the afternoon, and served to our guests on "Mile High Tea Biscuits" the next morning at a Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast. The fertile Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada offers the finest local fruit from family farms. The raspberries will be ready in mid July, the blueberries the 1st of August, then the peaches (Yes, peaches from the local orchard of David Armstrong) to serve to our guests with yogurt and homemade Granville Granola, in muffins, and of course as jam a top those "Mile High Tea Biscuits". Bill and I invite you to enjoy the 'taste of summer' at A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast on the Annapolis River in Granville Ferry, overlooking the Town of Annapolis Royal, celebrating the 300th Anniversary of its naming, and historic Fort Anne.

Blessings,

Ann Marie

Spring at A Seafaring Maiden Bed and Breakfast

Happy Easter!

The snowdrops and crocuses, with a promise of daffodils and tulips to come, tell us that Spring has come to A Seafaring Maiden in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Easter weekend has been amazing with weather perfect for Spring cleanup in the garden and bike rides in to Annapolis Royal and down our Granville Road, known as the oldest road in North America. Speaking of gardens, we invite you to visit our specials on BnBFinder.com including a package to see Annapolis Royal's Historic Gardens when you stay with us.

Blessings,

Ann Marie

A Late Winter Wine Tasting

Bruce and Dave enjoy the 'fruit of the vine' at

A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast.

The Annapolis Wine Tasters enjoyed their 2nd gathering for food, fellowship, and fine wines at A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast on 27 February 2010. "OH! To be 21 again..." was the theme with the featured wines all priced under $21 including: Rudolf Muller Niersteiner Spegelberg of Rheinhessen, Germany; Toasted Head Chardonnay of Napa Valley, California; Domaine du Ladreau Village Muscadet of Loire Valley Region, France; McWilliams Hanwood Estate Shiraz of Southeast Australia; Canelleto Primitiro di Puglia of Puglia Region of Italy; and Annapolis Highland Winery Highland Blue of Clemenstvale, Nova Scotia. As wonderful as the food and wine were, the highlight of the festivities was probably the winning of the Olympic Gold Medal by the Men's Canadian Curling Team with one and all singing a rousing rendition of 'O, Canada'!

Nothing but Blue Skies...

Keeping cosy quilting on a chilly late winter day at

A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast.

17 February 2010 was a wonderful winter day to pursue my passion for quilting. We woke up to snowing and blowing, and as Don Connolly of CBC Radio in Halifax described, "cancellation day". So instead of heading to school to teach, I enjoyed a day at the sewing machine working on the beginning stages of my latest quilt, Nothing but Blue Skies, which will feature the traditional 'maple leaf' block in various shades of seasonal colour appearing to fall through a bright beautiful blue sky. There's nothing like the welcoming warmth and comfort of a quilt on a cold winter's night here at A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast where every bed has a beautiful handmade quilt. They make a great coverlet on our cool summer evenings here in the Annapolis Valley Region of Nova Scotia as well, so consider escaping this coming summer's heat and come stay with us!

Blessings,

Ann Marie

Winter Fun at A Seafaring Maiden

Greetings from 'the great white north'!

After several days of above freezing temperatures and a sad snow melt :-(, we had a wonderful white gift from mother nature with a foot of snow between last Thursday night and Friday. Bill and I joined others at Mickey Hill Picnic Park for an hour+ of snow shoeing hosted and guided by Hike Nova Scotia and Annapolis County Club 400, The Order of Active Living. For more information about this group, check out: www.annapoliscounty.ns.ca/club400 . As A Seafaring Maiden Bed & Breakfast is open year round, we invite you to come stay with us and enjoy some great outdoor winter activities. Most gear can be borrowed from the County of Annapolis, so just pack warm clothes and a sense of adventure!

Blessings,

Ann Marie