Lavender Fields Forever!

Women Who Wander NB

Adventure Six

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It seems no matter how early we head out on our Wanders - always with good intentions of not being too late getting home - we're always late getting home!

And that, my friends, is because New Brunswick is so full of Hidden Gems and the Women Who Wander just want to see all of them! (Translation: we are nosy old broads who don’t like to miss out on anything!)

So, Tim’s in hand, as per usual, we set out. This time in The Incredible Wander Wheels Substitute (YT’s car) since the real Incredible Wander Wheels (BST's car) was in for a much-needed rest and check-up.

Lately, we've seen a number of Facebook posts about the Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm that have been piquing our interest.

Since we all love lavender and had not yet been on a Wander to New Brunswick's East Coast, we decided it was time to head to St-Edouard-de-Kent, NB and the Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm fields.

You will remember, of course, that we three are outstanding in most fields but had never had a chance to be outstanding in a lavender one.

So why not?😊

Getting there was a bit of a challenge but we had help and stumbled on many a hidden treasure along the way! Which is really the name of the game for us!

Our first challenge of the day appeared in the form of a detour which made access to the, usually very accessible, Salmon River Road outside of Minto, NB not so easily accessible.

(Side note: one of the many former homes of the Tompkins clan (LT’s family) can be found in the charming town of Minto, NB. If, of course, you are travelling with a member of the Tompkins clan who remembers where things are, it would be easier than a member of the Tompkins clan pointing out every second house saying, “I think that’s it”. We're not talking about anyone we know, of course).

Given our busy itinerary for the day, we didn’t stop in Minto to top-up our coffee at their awesome Tim Horton’s (sigh).

Worse yet, we resisted the temptation to stop for a visit at the NB Interment Camp Museum, located at 420 Pleasant Drive Unit 1, Minto, NB which is, we hear, excellent but a much anticipated visit for another day.

Nope, putting the peddle to the metal as they say, we were resolute in our mission and continued on our way until we saw the dreaded detour signs telling us we couldn't continue on our planned route.

What to do, what to do. Do we turn back; or do we not turn back? After much debate and deliberation we simply sat on the side of the road..... continuing the debate and deliberation and finally, slowly and aimlessly, limped down the soft shoulder, continuing the debate and deliberation.

And here was where another only-in-New-Brunswick experience was about to begin. This was where we met one of those special people that we have the pleasure of running in to now and again along our wanders.

Parked along the side of the road, very near to where we were limping, was a white van. Lo and behold, getting into that van was a fine gentleman in the employ of Sameday Courier. YT called him over to the Incredible Wander Wheels (BST here: and who could resist the call of YT?).

As sweetly as possible, we inquired as to the efficacy of continuing on (in light of the raging debate and deliberation). Mr. Sameday assured us that all would be well if we simply followed the signs and used the Midland Road as advised by the Detour. (He started to suggest a potential shortcut he knew but I fear the three sets of glassed-over eyes staring emptily back at him caused him to stop abruptly and say “I think you'd better follow the signs and stick to the Midland Road.”)

Now, "Midland" suggests the middle; perhaps the middle of nowhere, for example. But leave it to the Women Who Wander to find a Hidden Gem in the least likely of places.

The Midland Road is a pretty road for sure but WHOA! SLAM ON THE BRAKES!! In the midst of scooting across the Midland Road, we came upon the loveliest surprise!

If you are traversing the Midland Road and see a very “Big Skies Ranch” type sign with Darrahs Farm written across it, you aren’t in Wyoming!

Stop, back-up a bit (because, if you are anything like us, scooting can be done pretty quickly requiring backing-up from time to time) and, do as we did - just gaze to the left.

Someone (perhaps a Darrah) has created the most idyllic scene, which we can only assume

is meant for all Midland Road travelers to enjoy. Horses (not real but very life-like), a wagon, a pond with a fountain, flowers a plenty, and objects hidden decoratively among the flowers surrounded by beautifully manicured lawns!

A feast for the eyes! Kudos to the creator(s) of this little oasis! We are unsure if people are welcome to wander among the vignettes but, as usual, LT was out of the car and out standing in their fields (hopefully, not trespassing) snapping pictures aplenty. There is an intriguing article or two on-line about the Darrah ancestors but there is no way for us to know if they are connected to Darrah Farms or not. Perhaps one of our readers can tell us more about this little gem and its owner? (Please make a comment below if you have any information for us)!

After persuading (ok, tricking with a promise of ice cream) a reluctant LT back into the car, on we went. I would like to say that we were confident in the designated detour route we chose to follow but, our confidence was ebbing having seen no evidence that we were heading in the right direction.

Debate and deliberation was overtaking our conversation again when we looked off in the near distance and what should we behold coming over the horizon?? A white van and, lo and behold, it pulled in to a yard sale right in front of us!

Hard to believe as it may be, out stepped –you guessed it – the Sameday Courier Man!!! How’s that for an “only-in-New-Brunswick" experience. Oddly, he didn’t seem nearly as surprised to see us as were to see him. Strange really. But, while LT did a quick check of the Yard Sale offerings, Mr. Sameday assured us that we were not too far off track and once again, sent us on our way with a wave and a smile.

Sadly, we didn’t get Mr. Sameday's picture to add to our website's "Friends We Meet" section but he is there in our hearts and we've made a promise to each other that we really will do a better job of getting names and photos of people who we meet along the way. Really.

Our next stop was to be Rexton, NB proper but, as you may know, it’s a bit of a hike from Fredericton to Rexton for women of a certain age who drink Tim's. So, somewhere around Harcourt, NB, the search for a WC began in earnest and by the time Rexton was in our reach desperation was setting in.

The first hint that we may be in luck came into sight at the Elsipogtog Reserve.

We soon learned that because of Covid, the gas station there was unavailable for our..... needs.

Upon inquiry, however, a kind lady in the parking lot of the gas station directed us to CC’s Entertainment Center located at 34 Big Cove Road, Rexton, NB - just across the parking lot from the gas station.

This is where we were welcomed by one of the sweetest, friendliest young ladies ever!

Check "Friends We Meet" on our website and you can meet Tonya Levi too! Elsipogtog First Nation? We love Tonya Levi!!! We suspect you do too; how could you not?

It’s not often a person can stop for a WC break and come out of the building feeling like a new friend was made! If only we had the time for a bit of casino fun there is no one we would rather have hung-out with than Tonya! But, alas, we had things to do and places to see so we left Tonya with a promise to come back soon.

On our way again, we actually made it a few hundred metres down the road before one of us had something in mind to see. This time it was LT who insisted that we stop for a quick photo shoot at the Bonar Law Historic Farm located at 79 Main Street, Richibucto, NB.

Unfortunately, the museum is not open this season due, again, to Covid, but those of us who have been there before highly recommend a visit when it reopens.

Even now, if you just want to take some outdoor photos as LT did, or wander around the property or maybe have a picnic with your bubble, it's an awesome spot right on the banks of the beautiful Richiboucto River and well worth a visit.

A few back roads later, we finally arrived at Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm! The farm is located at 103 Goguen Road, St-Edouard-de-Kent, NB. It’s a bit out of the way, but nothing Ms. Google Maps cannot handle - our "go-to" in this case, but only because Mr. Sameday Courier Man was nowhere to be found this time.

In the end, it was so worth the circuitous route we took to get there and many stops we made on the way to experience those lavender fields that seemed to go on forever.

LT and her camera went into immediate action while BST and YT mostly just gazed and sniffed in pure contentment, sighed and shopped a bit in the gift store.

Folks, it may not be Provence but here's the thing: you don’t need an airplane to get there!

Lavender smells amazing wherever it is.

Fields can stretch with purple blossoms in New Brunswick just as easy as they can in France.... and you don’t have to pay for over-night accommodations if you don’t want to.

The beauty of lavender fields in New Brunswick is that you can go back home when you have finished sniffing, gazing and shopping!

However, if you decide to hang around for a while we have great news for you. See "what to do if you decide not to go back home” explained below!

Hating to be the bearers of sad news, we must report that the lavender gardens are now closed for this Season as the lavender has finished blooming. But, because we aim to make you happy, the good news is that there are options!

Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm has a Christmas sale! Since the Women Who Wander tested out several products and may or may not have purchased a few, we know it is well worth investigating sale dates on their website (https://www.lavenderatoceanbreezefarm.com) or their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LavenderatOBF/). Until October they can also be found at the Bouctouche Farmers Market located at 9 Irving Boulevard, Bouctouche, NB! Head on over to our Home page and meet Carly Boileau, (Co-owner of Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm) in "Friends We Meet"!

A Definite Women Who Wander Three Cheers Award winner!

From Ocean Breeze Lavender Farm, we headed off in search of an antique shop that was lodged in YT’s memory from a visit many years ago. Problem was, YT couldn't remember the name of the shop nor it's exact location. (Those of you who know YT well, know that a lot of things are lodged in that memory bank . They're just in a very precarious fashion. That is to say, the memories are there - but hanging on by a thin thread and they don’t include things like details). (Perhaps YT should not have been so quick to judge LT's memories of her long-ago Minto home) .

Hence, the hunt began for an antique shop that was visited many years ago - a shop for which we knew neither the name nor the location of. Piece of cake!

A few stops were necessary before reaching the antique store but, really, it was a good thing because we got to meet more people and find more places for you to check out when you head out on a New Brunswick wander of your own !

One of these stops was at Chalets Cap-Lumiere and while it should have been an “ask- directions-and-carry-on” kind of stop.........we make no apologies for getting ensnared in lengthy conversations to discover all we can about the folks we want to know more about!

Chalets Cap-Lumiere cottages, located at 2214 Route 505, Richibucto Village, NB is a GREAT spot to over-night if you decide not go back home after visiting the Ocean Breeze Lavender Farms"

We discovered that the property is owned and operated by a former New Brunswick Tourism employee, Oliva Duguay and her awesome husband! Being former employees (albeit a hundred years ago) of NB Tourism, we were happy to hear our former colleague is doing well in "retirement"!

Chalets Cap-Lumiere cottages are located along the Acadian coastline just a few short steps from the ocean shore and very close to attractions such as Kouchibouguac National Park, Pays de la Sagouine, The Dunes Boardwalk, Parlee Beach Provincial Park and more!

We don’t think you could possibly find a prettier spot to stay! Chalets Cap-Lumiere are open from June through mid-October. Thanksgiving at Chalets Cap-Lumiere sounds amazing to us!

We are VERY grateful for M. Duguay taking time out of his busy day and showing us around the property, for letting us rest a spell on the patio under his incredible grape vine and rose covered pergola just gazing at the Bay! SO relaxing!

Next up was a stop at Savonnerie Olivier Soapery , located at 851 route 505, Sainte-Anne-de-Kent.

What a happy surprise to stumble upon this gem - "stumbled upon" because, we admit, we were lost..... again.

What a treat to discover that the soapery was not only open but, we were greeted by amazingly friendly staff who helped us mask and glove up for a stroll through the shop.

Gloves are a great idea for Covid-time soap shopping as it’s pretty much impossible not to pick up and put down these scent-sational smelling soaps, lotions and potions!

We are happy to report that quite a few beautifully aromatic 2020 Christmas stocking stuffers will be received by those we love this year!

A Women Who Wander Three Cheers Award is happily given to Savonnerie Olivier Soapery and to their staff who did their utmost to help check-off many names from our Christmas gift giving lists, making sure we left with products we just might keep for ourselves!!

Not done yet, the ladies in the shop also helped steer us in the direction of achieving our original goal - finding the antique shop with little or no help from us as we still didn't know it's name or location!

Wood Chips What Knots and Antiques, as we now know it is called, is located at 1554, Route 475, Bouctouche Bay. It truly is a hidden gem and not just because the Women Who Wander couldn’t find it!

Wood Chips What Knots and Antiques and Woodchuck Carvings were operated, until recently, by Cheryl and Chuck Bernard.

The antiques business was, and still is, Cheryl's baby. The wood carving side was that of her beloved husband, Chuck Bernard. Sadly, Chuck passed away in 2017, but Cheryl has carried on and we are so happy that she did. Head on over to our Home page and check out "Friends We Meet" to learn about Cheryl for yourself!

The antique shop is awesome and we walked away with a couple more pairs of Sherman earrings (for more Sherman earring tales, read our Third Adventure, "Let Them Eat Chocolate") but the really fascinating part of the visit was hearing all about Chuck Bernard and seeing some of his amazing wood carving that Cheryl has displayed in a museum kind of setting on the second floor of Chuck's wood working shop.

As you enter the shop on the first floor, facing you is an old wooden hutch. Or so you think, until you realize that you are actually looking at a large wood carving.

Every book on the top shelf is carved, so don’t try to take one down as we did.

Cheryl told us the books on the top shelf are all replicas of books that she and Chuck had read and loved.

The drawers each open and are filled with such items as hand carved carving tools and other paraphernalia and curios.

Every piece of minutia and frivolity on the book case is carved - right down to the Tim Horton's cup sitting on the shelf.

We could go on and on about the carvings in that building and about Chuck Bernad himself but we think that every New Brunswicker should visit this museum shop and see his work!

There is an interesting article written by Shelley Steeves with Global News shortly after Mr. Bernard passed away in 2017. The article will tell you all about this fascinating man and it is a Women Who Wander recommended read that can be found on line at:

https://globalnews.ca/news/3668420/new-brunswick-woodcarver-the-woodchuck-dies/

As we are wont to say, just go! Meet Cheryl, learn about Chuck and ask yourself how that ship hull sticking out of that shop building could possibly not be real??? When you visit, treat yourself to a little bling or a retro handbag while you:re there!

Three cheers award and more!!! Definitely worth every back road you may get lost on!

I don’t know about you but YT is exhausted already and we hadn’t even had lunch! Cheryl at Wood Chips Antiques suggested a couple of Bouctouche, NB options for us as we were headed that way anyway.

We high tailed it to Ponzi’s Restaurant And Fish Market located at 138 Irving Blvd., Bouctouche, NB. This is a cafeteria style seafood restaurant not far beyond one of the best Guy's Frenchy's stores in the Province (if you are into bargain hunting the thrift shops).

Regrettably, neither a Guy's Frenchy's visit nor a stop to see The Bouctouche Dunes Boardwalk was possible due to the lateness of the hour.

Poor LT is still whining about not getting to walk on the Boardwalk!

All we can say is that if LT would just be satisfied at anything under 4000 photographs at every stop, we might have gotten to see The Irving Echo-Centre and The Bouctouche Dunes Boardwalk...... probably The Irving Arboretum and The Irving Chapel, conceivably even Le Pays de la Sagouine AND a quick stop at Guy's Frenchy's all before nightfall!

But, no. None of that was possible on this wander. As it was, we scoffed down a lobster roll and fries! And afterwards, lamented that in our haste we had forgotten AGAIN to photograph what we ordered so you could see for yourself how delicious it was.

(Put a plate of food in front of us and see how soon we forget what we're doing. We'll just blame LT again - after all, she IS the official Women Who Wander photographer !!!)

Another Women Who Wander Three Cheers Award given for great seafood in a casual setting.

One more East Coast stop before heading for home (or at least heading in that direction).

We circled back, scooted just down the road a hop and a jump, for what we foolishly thought would be a quick in-and-out visit to the Musée de Kent. Clearly, the phrase “quick in-and-out” is not in the vocabulary of the Women Who Wander!

The Musée de Kent is located at 150 chemin du Couvent, Buctouche, NB. It is in a former school/convent situated just as you enter the Village of Bouctouche from Route 475.

This was where we met two more of our favourite folks: Chanelle Nowlan and Lynn McDonald. These two are just fantastic tour guides! Imaginative and informative, they clearly love what they do!

Go to the Women Who Wander Home page and click on the "Friends We Meet" tab to meet Chanelle and Lynn for yourself!

We explained to Chanelle that we only had a short time for a tour as we needed to be on the road again. She assured us we could do a tour in 20 minutes - but then, Chanelle did not, at the time, know the Women Who Wander. She does now and after a good 45 minutes later we exited the building wanting more but having to leave to get home!

That is a testament not just to our ability to ask way more questions than thought possible, take way more photos than necessary, and spend way more time in their dear little gift shop than required.

Chanelle did the tour for us and she was amazing! You would not believe what there is to see and learn about in that building!

All I am is going to tell you is that the wooden ceiling in the Sacred Heart Chapel (bottom row, center) is incroyable and will blow your mind! And for a reason that you wont find out unless you go to visit! Hah!

This is a Hidden Gem AND a Women Who Wander Three Cheers Award!

When you go, be sure to say "Hi" to Chanelle and Lynn for us AND be sure to let us know if you discovered the secret of the chapel ceiling!

So at last, we headed home; joined Highway 2 with pedal to the metal as they say. When out of the back seat came a whiny little “but you said we could get ice cream☹.” YT exchanged glances with BST and we knew right then and there, we weren’t done for the day.

LT is always good for a reminder that a day without ice cream is just a day.

Without much convincing, we slammed on the brakes, took the Salisbury exit and headed for The Green Pig Country Market located just across the overpass at 2927 Fredericton Road, Salisbury in search of a cone!

Well alas, there was no ice cream, prompting momentary whining from LT, but she was soon in her happy place because there were a myriad of other things for her shopping pleasure!

A gift shop, a bakery, a restaurant, fresh fruit and vegetables, syrups, spices, flowers and before you can say fresh herb bread, here we are handing out another Women Who Wander Three Cheers Award!

Seeing the dismay on LT's face, however, the sweet young lady at the checkout told us we were only five minutes from McScoops Ice Cream Bar located at 3112 Main St., Salisbury, NB. As it turns out, the sweet young lady at the checkout was absolutely right!

Toffee Almond Chill, Peanut Butter Fudge Crunch , Heavenly Hash and home.........

LT is right. Life really is better with ice cream. And girlfriends.

Adventure Seven awaits!