Way to blue
Heralding from the north of England we are used to visiting islands such as Anglesey in North Wales that have their own micro-climate. So it wasn't too much of a surprise to arrive on Brier Island and see the murky weather we had been stuck with all morning disappear and the island greet us with beautiful, clear blue skies.
We were staying at the Dock and Doze, which as the name suggests was opposite the ferry landing.
It was perfect for our needs, which was a base to explore the island's lighthouses.
Whale watching is very popular in these parts but we are still slightly influenced from our expedition in Iceland a few years back, which was whale-less, and if I was a whale I would have stayed under the water in those temperatures. We'll try again in the future but as we only had one night and three lighthouses to bag so we passed on this occasion.
But first food. And where else but the Lighthouse Cafe, a local simple restaurant serving great portions of fish and chips and poutine.
Feeling a bit stuffed we headed off in search of lighthouses.
There wasn't a cloud in the sky as we drove to the most northerly point of the island.
We were blown away by the setting of the Grand Passage Lighthouse.
It marks the northwest entrance to grand passage between Brier Island and Long Island, and whilst it's not the most romantic looking lighthouse in the world, it's dramatic location more than makes up for that.
You could walk to both lighthouses, and there is a nice map of the island (which also prides itself on it's wildlife) showing the walks and places of natural interest.
But they are good walks and we only had an afternoon, so it was a 15 minute drive to the western point of the island and the Brier Island Lighthouse which was just as spectacular.
The trio of lighthouses is completed by a good view of the Lighthouse on Peter's Island from the edge of town. It isn't immediately accessible apart from by boat, but it's a nice stroll along the seafront to get a decent vantage point.
We'd only had an afternoon and an evening on the island but it was enough to get a feel for the place and appreciate the benefits of slowing down to a much more gentle pace of life.
I would heartily recommend a visit, if only to sit out by the sea, have a beer, and do little else.
Getting to Brier Island is a pleasant little adventure on it's own.
You do the short hop on the car ferry at Tiverton to Long island, and then it's 11 miles along the Digby Necks and Island scenic drive, or route 217 to the sat nav.
Once at the end of Long Island catch the second ferry, which is timed to leave after giving you time to get from the first ferry, and you'll arrive on Brier island.
There isn't a great choice of accommodation or eateries on the island, but they're good, if not basic.You do the short hop on the car ferry at Tiverton to Long island, and then it's 11 miles along the Digby Necks and Island scenic drive, or route 217 to the sat nav.
Once at the end of Long Island catch the second ferry, which is timed to leave after giving you time to get from the first ferry, and you'll arrive on Brier island.
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| Brier Island, Nova Scotia |
We were staying at the Dock and Doze, which as the name suggests was opposite the ferry landing.
It was perfect for our needs, which was a base to explore the island's lighthouses.
Whale watching is very popular in these parts but we are still slightly influenced from our expedition in Iceland a few years back, which was whale-less, and if I was a whale I would have stayed under the water in those temperatures. We'll try again in the future but as we only had one night and three lighthouses to bag so we passed on this occasion.
But first food. And where else but the Lighthouse Cafe, a local simple restaurant serving great portions of fish and chips and poutine.
 |
| The Lighthouse Cafe, Brier Island, Nova Scotia |
Feeling a bit stuffed we headed off in search of lighthouses.
There wasn't a cloud in the sky as we drove to the most northerly point of the island.
We were blown away by the setting of the Grand Passage Lighthouse.
It marks the northwest entrance to grand passage between Brier Island and Long Island, and whilst it's not the most romantic looking lighthouse in the world, it's dramatic location more than makes up for that.
 |
| Grand Passage Lighthouse, Brier Island, Nova Scotia |
You could walk to both lighthouses, and there is a nice map of the island (which also prides itself on it's wildlife) showing the walks and places of natural interest.
But they are good walks and we only had an afternoon, so it was a 15 minute drive to the western point of the island and the Brier Island Lighthouse which was just as spectacular.
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| Brier Island Lighthouse, Nova Scotia |
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| Peter Island Lighthouse, Nova Scotia |
Our evening meal was another mini adventure. We caught the ferry as foot passengers (no charge) back to Long Island and to Lavena's Catch Cafe, which is right next to the ferry landing.
We hadn't booked and it was a busy local place. But they made us feel very welcome sat at the bar and I enjoyed a fabulous meal made with catch fished a stone's throw away. All washed down with craft beer. Then it was back on the ferry across the water flanked by the Grand Passage and St.Peter Island lights twinkling and shepherding us back to Brier Island.
We'd only had an afternoon and an evening on the island but it was enough to get a feel for the place and appreciate the benefits of slowing down to a much more gentle pace of life.
I would heartily recommend a visit, if only to sit out by the sea, have a beer, and do little else.
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| Brier Island, Nova Scotia |
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