Luxury for a Self-Proclaimed Hobo in Guysborough, Nova Scotia

I’m not used to luxury. I don’t buy pants over $30 and I refuse to use dryer sheets. These frugal spending habits are mostly because I’m a tightwad, but you get the point.

Then Doug from the Authentic Sea Coast in Guysborough, Nova Scotia invited me and Cailin to stay at the Des Barres Manor for a night of high class livin’. I thought hey, I’d be okay with that.

We left bright and early on a Tuesday morning and headed along the scenic route towards Guysborough, stopping at Martinique Beach and taking in the coastline. An hour or two in, things got all sorts of crazy as rural Nova Scotia snuck up on us. Among the many roadside attractions were a handcrafted moose and isolated signs randomly exclaiming things like “CLUBHOUSE SANDWICH.”

Wtf?

Wtf?

After being cooped in the car for so many hours, however, we started getting giggly and delusional. At least three times we accidently veered off course due to a lying iPhone. At one point, after taking a sunny stroll along Tor Bay Beach and tossing sand into the air, we proceeded down a dirt road for 20 minutes before we came upon an old house and a van blocking the road.

“You’re in my way,” Cailin accused the van.

We arrived at Guysborough later than intended, and found that a three-course meal would be ready for us at 6 p.m. I found my room, squealed like a schoolgirl and made a mental note to pocket the shampoo. Then I rolled around on the bed, stroked the antique typewriter with love, and struck a pose in the mirror.

Our supper was paired with wine, which suited us perfectly. We had tomato bisque with an old-fashioned dumpling and dry wine, followed by grilled salmon with mango compote, garlic roasted fingerlings and veggies, paired with rose wine. For dessert, there was banana bread pudding…and more wine. Did I ever mention my love for banana bread? I ate mine AND half of Cailin’s. I even ate the flowers garnishing the dishes (it’s okay, I’m told they were edible). By that point, I was beyond satisfied and high on life.

So Cailin and I bought some beers from the bar and played a round of board games in the parlour. The only other people lounging around were couples, which made me reassess my relationship with Cailin. We decided business partners would be the safest route, and then played a series of Tic-Tac-Toe accompanied with oaths and fist shaking. When I showed up at the kitchen with an ice bucket for several more beers, the hostess laughed and gave me a much bigger bucket. That’s what I call service.

Later, a little tipsy, we went for a walk close to the manor and spent an unreasonable amount of time lying on a dock trying to find that goddamned Little Dipper. The sky was perfect and clear, the town was entirely quiet. Unfortunately, I had missed the Rare Bird Pub season, and the place was closed up for the season. Instead, I went back to my room and made a pillow and blanket fort, spread out my limbs in the 600 thread count sheets and considered spending my lifesavings on a set from the gift shop. Anyone who knows me knows my insane attachment to my bed in St. John’s — my one big adult purchase, my baby – but this bed, oh god. I could have carried out a rich and fulfilled life in that bed.

Bahaha!

Bahaha!

Alas, I had to be up bright and early for a yummy breakfast and a morning run. Then it was off to the Osprey Shores Golf Resort for some off-roading in golf carts. I had never been to a golf course before, nor driven a cart, but I think I did okay. I’m a natural.

We drove around the perimeter, stopping at the beach to scope out the scenery. The day was gorgeous and warm, the sky blue. Golfers moseyed around the green, while we tried to stay out of their way and be inconspicuous. It wasn’t easy to pull off, two beautiful babes like us joyridin’ around like nobody’s business, creeping up on older men as if lying in ambush. We paused at the Osprey Shores dock in Mussel Cove to soak up some sun, delighting in the remains of summer freedom. Life felt good.

We packed up the car with heavy hearts and set out for Prince Edward Island, a random decision made the night before with the aid of Alexander Keith. From a luxury manor to a sketchy hostel…but us travellers are supposed to be adaptable, right? Thank you for hosting us, Authentic Sea Coast! One night of lavishness was well appreciated by this broke-ass bum.

  • September 28 2010

    Nice digs you got to stay in there, Candice! And it looks like you’ve got a tan, even though it must be getting colder. Keep living life!

    • September 30 2010

      Hehe, it’s been a very tanned summer! I love it.

  • September 28 2010

    Looks like my kind of weekend getaway. Sadly, I’ve not been to Eastern Canada…Should make plans to travel there soon. Maybe next spring/summer!

    • September 30 2010

      OOh, you MUST! And hit up Newfoundland while you’re at it!

  • September 28 2010

    Sounds like an awesome get away, good if you can get it!

    Did you put much thought into the line ‘I could have carried out a rich and fulfilled life in that bed.’ though? It could be misread… just saying :P

    • September 30 2010

      Pshhhh Rob, get your mind out of the gutter! Hahaha.

  • September 28 2010

    Fun post! We love the pillow fort story. We were delighted to share some of our warm Maritime hospitality with you and Cailin. Thank you again for visiting us on the Authentic Seacoast and for sharing your experience with your readers. We hope your travels take you back our way again some day. Jen, we look forward to an opportunity to welcome you to the Authentic Seacoast next year.

    • September 30 2010

      Glad to share the love, Doug! Thanks so much again for having us. I really hope others will take interest in checking it all out for themselves. :)

  • September 28 2010

    This place is Eastern Shore’s hidden gem!

  • September 28 2010

    Wow! that is a nice looking place!

  • September 28 2010

    Rurual Nova Scotia is a little quirky, eh? :) No more quirky than Newfoundland, though!

    Beautiful accommodation. May I can get the Authentic Seacoast to spring a night for me next time I’m back in Nova Scotia….:) (that’s a joke!….well my arm could be twisted!)

    Glad you had a good time in my home province. I bet you enjoyed PEI too.

    • September 30 2010

      Hahaha, I’m continuously surprised by all the similarities between NL and NS…no wonder I enjoy it here so much!

  • September 28 2010

    Yes, I love the Des Barres Manor!

    • September 29 2010

      It was a pleasure to have you as our guest at DesBarres Manor last year, Lori. We look forward to an opportunity to welcome you back.

    • September 30 2010

      Me too, ohhh me too.

  • September 29 2010

    Dearest RedHeaded Sister of My Heart,

    It has been far, far too long since I’ve visited the shores of this blog. Can we promise to let such a ridiculous amount of time go by before we visit each other?

    Otherwise I might just expire.

    Ever Yours,

    Lola

    • September 30 2010

      Naturally, Lola! Naturally. Sigh.

  • September 29 2010
    Susan

    I never knew about this resort and I’m from Nova Scotia! Might have to make stop sometime on a my travels between Cape Breton and Halifax since I’m back and forth fairly often. It’s only a little out of the way and it definitely looks like it’s worth checking out.

    • September 30 2010

      Oooh you DEFINITELY should! Off the beaten path is the wa to go!

  • September 29 2010

    did you ever get to the bottom of the clubhouse sandwich question?

    • September 30 2010

      Hahaha, it all led up to a tiny little take-out restaurant…but it was closed for the season. :(

  • September 29 2010

    So luxurious! Doug is so great. I’ve always wanted to go to Nova Scotia, and good call on tacking on the second excursion.

  • September 30 2010

    how did I miss this post?? That place sounds awesome… and I love how you got there ;D Sounds like a very fun get away, and that bed sounds devine… (I am missing your bed right now, not gonna lie… might break into your house sometime soon for a nap…)

    But most importantly… I did not know about your love for banana bread!! how did I miss THAT? Did you know I love to make banana bread? And have even been known to take banana bread batter to other people’s houses and baked it in their oven so their house can smell delicious? TRUE STORY.
    I have bananas in my freezer almost all the time, for the bread making… I’mma make you some if you ever come back to me… ;D

    • October 06 2010

      I don’t know how you missed that, but if I don’t get a chocolate-chip banana bread loaf when I get back, I’ll be sad.

  • October 01 2010

    NICE! Love the pillow fort. Why didn’t I think of that?

    I am in love with Guysborough. Love.

    • October 06 2010

      I don’t know, silly! I wish we had all went together, it would have been a laugh.

  • October 04 2010

    Wow, sounds like such a cushy weekend!
    I had no idea you could go to golf courses and just cruise around on the carts! To me, that’s the only attractive part of golfing! I gotta join a country club now…

    • October 06 2010

      I think maybe it’s only possible because Doug let us do so, hahaha. But resorts should totally rent out carts!

      • October 28 2010

        While you and Cailin are special, we do let guests of Osprey Shores Golf Resort and DesBarres Manor Inn take carts out on the course when they are available.

  • January 04 2011

    Sounds sweet, thanks for sharing.

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