Sunday, September 7, 2014

Brigus and Cupids

This weekend, Andrew and I went off on a little bay-cation (it's like a mini-vacation, out around the bay)!  We needed a little alone time, away from home and the stresses of everyday life. Brennen was excited about having a sleep-over at Andrew's parents' house, and they were more than happy to have him (and Rumble) for the night!

We drove just over an hour out of the city to one of our favourite little communities in Conception Bay. The Town of Brigus is packed full of little gems - cafes and restaurants, antique stores and ice cream shops. We strolled along the narrow and winding streets, taking in the sights and sounds of all that the quaint little community has to offer. Though we have been there many times before, we admired the historic grounds of Hawthorne Cottage and explored the famous Brigus Tunnel as if it was our first. We are easy tourists. We appreciate the beauty of our province and love the fact that you don't have to travel far to see the extraordinary.


The houses in Brigus are beautiful. Almost every one that we walked past, either Andrew or I would point out some remarkable feature of the architecture, or comment on the simplicity of the design. I love that so many of the homes are being restored to their original beauty, keeping the tradition and the feel of the old town alive.


We spent most of Saturday enjoying Brigus and had a bite to eat at the North St. Cafe before heading to the neighboring community of Cupids, where we had booked a room for the night. Cupid's Haven is a four-star bed and breakfast that is housed in the former St. Augustine's Church. The church has been beautifully transformed and restored to honor its original state. The guest rooms and adjoining tea room all have impressive gothic arches and stained glass windows. The attention to detail is obvious within the main common area, with pews from the old church and even pew book racks (is that what they're called?) visible in the kitchen area.


Once we checked in to our cozy B&B, Andrew and I headed out to conquer the Burnt Head Trails. The trails, which start just behind the B&B, are a network of circular seacoast and forest trails, passing remnants of long-gone communities with spectacular ocean views, including a close up look at an impressive sea arch.


After a long day of hiking and exploring, we were more than ready to get cozy in our private room (ok, not before devouring a cup of tea and a couple of giant pieces of homemade pie). It's amazing how one night away from home, free from the routines and expectations of everyday life can do a world of good! We breathed the salt sea air. We smelled the thick pine forests. We picked blueberries and ate them along the way. We are refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle the week ahead.
 
My favourite thing about getting away.. is coming home.
We are back, submerged again into our routines. I've got my sweet boy in my arms and life feels good.

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