40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast is fortunate to be located directly on Georgian Bay and the beautiful 30,000 Islands. Chef Simon and I have have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who come to see this UNESCO biosphere reserve, and teach us more about what it is like, where they live.
It's no secret that the price of gas has us all worried. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Futurist James Howard Kunstler predicts that the cost of gas will have an enormous impact on our daily lives. In his segment on CBC TV's "Running on Empty - A life without Oil, he claims that travel (especially by air) will become only for elite again. If that is the case, we will all become poorer in many ways!
Our breakfast table has brought people from all over the world to sit together and share information and their views. I think the most enlightening conversation we had was when a couple from mid-west USA sat across from a young man from Russia discussing their countries, politics and beliefs. Our travellers willingly share tips with others about things to see and do in different spots, and provide us all with the opportunity to learn something new every day.
It would be a shame not to be able to share the geographic beauty of our area. However, not being able to provide an atmosphere for the exchange of information that only a B&B like 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast can bring, would be the greater loss.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Organic gardening - a way of life, or necessity?
In every house I've lived in, the first thing I usually do is plant a vegetable garden. I have always joked that it's the Newfie in me that makes me do it - one must always be prepared for the worst! And I'll credit my father for embracing organic gardening - long before it was chic!
On Wednesday evening, CBC TV started a series called "Running on Empty - Life without Cheap Oil." In the segment by Futurist and author James Howard Kunstler, Kunstler predicted that our way of life will return to a simpler way (I guess I'm giving away my age when I say to me he was describing life as it was in the 1950s!).
The item that really got my attention was the impact the cost of oil will have on food. He predicts that farms will become smaller again, as the cost to move the large machinery will make that equipment obsolete. The cost of fertilizers and pesticides will increase, forcing lower yields. Kunstler also points out that the cost of transporting foods will limit the amount of out-of-season produce we can afford.
Chef Simon has always insisted on the freshest organic produce when cooking - especially for his wonderful breakfasts! Although I chase the chipmunks and birds away from this year's crop of wonderfully sweet strawberries, prick my fingers as I continue to expand the raspberry patch and tend to the gazillion tomato plants, I shouldn't complain. I am thankful that 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast offers the land to grow these fruits and vegetables, I have the knowledge to do it organically, and Georgian Bay provides all the fresh water needed!
On Wednesday evening, CBC TV started a series called "Running on Empty - Life without Cheap Oil." In the segment by Futurist and author James Howard Kunstler, Kunstler predicted that our way of life will return to a simpler way (I guess I'm giving away my age when I say to me he was describing life as it was in the 1950s!).
The item that really got my attention was the impact the cost of oil will have on food. He predicts that farms will become smaller again, as the cost to move the large machinery will make that equipment obsolete. The cost of fertilizers and pesticides will increase, forcing lower yields. Kunstler also points out that the cost of transporting foods will limit the amount of out-of-season produce we can afford.
Chef Simon has always insisted on the freshest organic produce when cooking - especially for his wonderful breakfasts! Although I chase the chipmunks and birds away from this year's crop of wonderfully sweet strawberries, prick my fingers as I continue to expand the raspberry patch and tend to the gazillion tomato plants, I shouldn't complain. I am thankful that 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast offers the land to grow these fruits and vegetables, I have the knowledge to do it organically, and Georgian Bay provides all the fresh water needed!
Monday, June 23, 2008
CPR Train Trestle 100th Anniversary
On Saturday June 21st, Parry Sound celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Pacific Railroad's trestle through the town. Built over the course of three years, the CPR trestle spans the Seguin River right at the mouth of Georgian Bay, and Great North Road. It is 1695 feet long and 105 feet high. The first train passed over it in 1908, connecting the area from Bolton to Sudbury.
In addition to displays at the West Parry Sound District Museum, rolling stock was brought in to look at, Artists Around the Sound created a one-of-kind art show at the Station Gallery, rail enthusiasts brought memorabilia and a DVD about the making of the trestle and a memorative coin were available.
Here at 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast, we continue to find large metal spikes that were used during the building of the trestle buried in the grounds. A local historian told me that no one died during the construction of the bridge, and there was only one major accident - one of the workers accidently backed into a crate of nails that went over the edge, with him following right behind. It was thought that it was the force of the nails hitting the water first that allowed him to survive - they would have broken the tension of the surface of the water before he hit it. When I do come across those large spikes, I wonder if they ended up on our property from that incident....just one of the many joys of living in a century home!
In addition to displays at the West Parry Sound District Museum, rolling stock was brought in to look at, Artists Around the Sound created a one-of-kind art show at the Station Gallery, rail enthusiasts brought memorabilia and a DVD about the making of the trestle and a memorative coin were available.
Here at 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast, we continue to find large metal spikes that were used during the building of the trestle buried in the grounds. A local historian told me that no one died during the construction of the bridge, and there was only one major accident - one of the workers accidently backed into a crate of nails that went over the edge, with him following right behind. It was thought that it was the force of the nails hitting the water first that allowed him to survive - they would have broken the tension of the surface of the water before he hit it. When I do come across those large spikes, I wonder if they ended up on our property from that incident....just one of the many joys of living in a century home!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Guy Few and Stephanie Mara wow us again!
Last night was the 5th Annual Prelude, the major fundraiser for the Festival of the Sound. Once again this year, 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast was honoured to host Guy Few and Stephanie Mara, as well as to volunteer at the event.
It was a fantastic evening with wonderful food and drink, a piano duet by Guy and Stephanie as well as silent and live auctions (I lost out on my bid for Tafelmusik tickets!). Once again, the Stockey Centre showed it's versatility in allowing for all these events to take place under one roof. To finish off a marvellous evening, we had another gorgeous Georgian Bay sunset to watch!
Guy has a new web site - if you haven't had the opportunity to hear this incredible trumpeter, cornist, pianist and singer, visit his new web site at www.guyfew.com. And even if you know Guy, you might want to check out his newest release - or at the very least, his current "do"! And if you want the opportunity to see him play in person, come and visit us during this primarily classical music festival - held annually in Parry Sound.
It was a fantastic evening with wonderful food and drink, a piano duet by Guy and Stephanie as well as silent and live auctions (I lost out on my bid for Tafelmusik tickets!). Once again, the Stockey Centre showed it's versatility in allowing for all these events to take place under one roof. To finish off a marvellous evening, we had another gorgeous Georgian Bay sunset to watch!
Guy has a new web site - if you haven't had the opportunity to hear this incredible trumpeter, cornist, pianist and singer, visit his new web site at www.guyfew.com. And even if you know Guy, you might want to check out his newest release - or at the very least, his current "do"! And if you want the opportunity to see him play in person, come and visit us during this primarily classical music festival - held annually in Parry Sound.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Summer is officially here!
As far as Parry Sounders are concerned, with the first cruise of the Island Queen marks the official start of summer here on Georgian Bay.
Yesterday was the first cruise of the season, and I realized how much I've missed it over the last few months. Here at 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast, we tell the time by the tooting of the horn - 1:00 p.m. (as it leaves the dock) is marked by a loud honk, and then the faint toot just before it turns the corner into the harbour just before 4:00 p.m.
The 30,000 Islands are a remarkable geological feature of the area - if you haven't had the opportunity to see them yet, you should definitely make a point of it!
Yesterday was the first cruise of the season, and I realized how much I've missed it over the last few months. Here at 40 Bay Street Bed & Breakfast, we tell the time by the tooting of the horn - 1:00 p.m. (as it leaves the dock) is marked by a loud honk, and then the faint toot just before it turns the corner into the harbour just before 4:00 p.m.
The 30,000 Islands are a remarkable geological feature of the area - if you haven't had the opportunity to see them yet, you should definitely make a point of it!
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