At Saturday night’s BBQ, those who had visited the historic #SherbrookeVillage site raved about how wonderful it was. They had spent 5-6 hours there having a wonderful time. Bob, Arlene and I decided that would be our destination for the day, as did Tom and Chris. The rest of the gang headed “up” the shore for their adventures.
Since the Village (check it out at www.sherbrookevillage.ca) didn’t open until 9:30 a.m., we had time after breakfast for a quick stop at the Sherbrooke Picnic Park, just up the road from our motel. Then we had a quick look at the Village sawmill before heading into the actual historic site.
Bob, Arlene and I met up with Tom and Chris at the entrance to the Village. One of the many amenities available was an electric scooter for the use of anyone with mobility issues. Tom took advantage of it to make his journey through the site more doable.
With that issue handled and with brochures in hand and a friendly welcome from the admissions staff, we set off to step back in history.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the many buildings, several of which are original to Sherbrooke’s history as a shipping destination and still sitting on their original foundations. In each building the costumed Interpreters were extremely well informed as they regaled us with tales of the origins of the area and the particular aspect they represented.
The entire Village is kept clean and presentable at all levels with the attendants focused on providing the best possible experience for the visitors. We all enjoyed every minute of our 5+ hours there and came away with much more knowledge and appreciation for life as it was lived hundreds of years ago.
Our first stop was in the Blacksmith’s shop. Blacksmith Tony Huntley explained a lot about his craft, honed with over thirty years of experience working in the Village. His work requires knowledge, strength, precision and patience using age-old tools and skills to create his products.
Then we toured the post office and print shop. There we learned just how long it took to set type, one letter at a time, run test sheets through the manual printer crank, print out the actual final product and hang it out to dry. New fit to print took the best part of a month to prepare, print and distribute around the community – a slight difference from today’s instant dissemination of everything via social media!
The ‘pharmacist’ explained that the Village practiced temperance when it came to alcohol, EXCEPT for the pharmacist who was allowed to use the substance in creating assorted medications – no doubt making her a popular person in the town. What town could keep the peace without a jail? The jail was on one side of the house, the jailor’s family lived in the other. The ladies showed us the woodstove and oven used for cooking and baking while laundry dried on the line ‘out back’. The village potter was kept busy creating beautiful and useful items for homes and shops. We were fascinated to watch her reject one pot she’d made as being 1 cm too tall (who could tell?). She took pride in her work and only perfect items were good enough to be fired and then glazed. The young lady working in the wood turning shop was incredible. In her early teens, she had already mastered a lot of her craft and was looking forward to taking futher courses in the off-season to enhance her skills.
Since there is a jail for miscreants, there must also be a court house for hearing the charges being brought. Outside were some beautiful benches as well. Then we chatted with a skilled spinner of flax making fibers to be woven into linen fabric.
Raising livestock in the village would have been essential as sources of food and material for clothing. Then there was a sight not seen on today’s streets – a man (the Blacksmith) riding a Pennyfarthing bicycle. After a sumptuous lunch of homemade goodies, lemonade and melt in your mouth bread pudding, we headed for the exit, but only after Tom stopped to give a (mock) ride to hitch hiker Heather!
We went back to the mill to explore a bit further before heading out to the Port Bickerton Lighthouse. The day had turned quite warm so the cool breeze from the ocean at the lighthouse was appreciated.
We were coming to the end of the long and winding road of our weekend Glamping Adventure. Taking time to relax, seek out different vistas and photos of details made for a full, but rejuvenating time. Sharing that experience with other like-minded people made the adventure that much more special. Slowing down and feeling the ocean breezes, listening to the surf hitting the rocks on the shore and hearing sea birds calling out from vast distances away gave us all memories of a special time not to be forgotten any time soon.
We may have felt a bit like a shipwreck ourselves with exhaustion – but it was a ‘good tired’ – filled with laughter, friendship, good food, good times as we loaded up for the trip home on Monday. The #KennebecasisValleyCameraClub is unique in that respect – a second family for many of us and certainly good friends. Our last night together included a “potluck” supper and a chance to say goodbye to each other.
As the song says, “Farewell to Nova Scotia” – until next time.
Capturing Cherished Memories 