But first the serendipity:
"ser·en·dip·i·ty" [sèrrən díppətee] noun
1. discovery of something fortunate: the accidental discovery of something pleasant, valuable, or useful
1. discovery of something fortunate: the accidental discovery of something pleasant, valuable, or useful
We had not planned most of what follows here, but it became one of the most enjoyable parts of our entire journey! That's a serendipity!
Let us take you back to the Kirkin' o' the Tartan Service in the blog called "Nova Scotia...More Scottish than Scotland": that's where we heard and met Ardyth and Jennifer , the beautiful and talented harp duo that blessed the service with song. At that first meeting Ardyth Robinson invited us to visit her home in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia before leaving the province, saying we "just couldn't leave without seeing her lovely area of the world." So, on Monday the 30th we duly arrived at Ardyth's home, where she lives with her two lovely daughters: Claire and Nadia. 
We parked our rigs in her backyard. 
It took a little maneuvering
to get into the yard, which turned out to be nothing, compared to our trying to get out! (but that comes later) 
Ardyth took us on an excursion of her beloved Annapolis Valley
where we had lunch (lobster rolls; what else!) near the docks. She then introduced us to another Nova Scotian, Charles McDonald: "Nova Scotia's Uncommon Common Man"
We parked our rigs in her backyard. 
It took a little maneuvering
to get into the yard, which turned out to be nothing, compared to our trying to get out! (but that comes later) 
Ardyth took us on an excursion of her beloved Annapolis Valley
where we had lunch (lobster rolls; what else!) near the docks. She then introduced us to another Nova Scotian, Charles McDonald: "Nova Scotia's Uncommon Common Man"
He was quite the local character. He was a socialist in his thinking and politics. He travelled in Russia and came back with the formula/recipe for cement. He felt this was "the answer" and proceeded to build everything out of cement: his house, the animals in the yard, the lady washing with Jon at the birdbath, the stag's head over the fireplace. 
Even the cement oven in the yard contains a cement turkey!!
He also built a series of cottages on the water, decorating them whimsically to appear as colored stones, a mushroom, a lighthouse and others. Only these two remain: 
The structures inside are all of cement, as well. A very interesting side trip indeed!
The structures inside are all of cement, as well. A very interesting side trip indeed!We later celebrated Meg's birthday (you'll have to guess which one!) at Paddy's Brew Pub, the local Irish-flavored establishment. 
Good food served with good music and surrounded by good friends! Ahhhh!
Meg's birthday present was some new bedroom slippers- Lobsters, of course!
Good food served with good music and surrounded by good friends! Ahhhh!
Meg's birthday present was some new bedroom slippers- Lobsters, of course!
Later that night, we had birthday cake around the table at Ardyth's house, cake which Geri had frozen and brought from San Antonio. We then adjourned to the barn, where we put on music and taught the Robinsons a few Scottish country dances. Nadia and her friend Crista are also highland dancers, and they treated us to a short demo.
Nadia is the house manager for the Ross Creek Road Centre for the Performing Arts, and invited us to attend a performance of The Odyssey the next night.
Nadia is the house manager for the Ross Creek Road Centre for the Performing Arts, and invited us to attend a performance of The Odyssey the next night.
The set is outdoors, the cast is wonderful! 
And we hadn't known any of this would happen three days earlier! That's a serendipity! We truly wish you could have been there!
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