Bunchberry: A Discovery from Our New Home
Since settling in Canada, we have continuously encountered plants and animals that amaze us with their diversity and beauty. One plant that particularly caught our attention is Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis). This small, unassuming plant, often found as ground cover in the forests of Nova Scotia, has its own charm and brings many ecological benefits. A Story of […]
Soil Samples and Campfire: An Evening in Nature
Since moving to Canada, we’ve been constantly learning more about our land and preparing it for our permaculture project. An essential part of this process involves taking soil samples from different areas of the property. These samples help us understand the soil better and identify the best spots for specific plant types, such as herbs. […]
Thanksgiving in Canada: Harvest, Tradition, and Community on Cape Breton
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October, significantly earlier than in the United States. This timing aligns with Canada’s harvest season, which generally concludes by October. Thanksgiving in Canada has roots in both European and Indigenous traditions, focusing on gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of the year. Origins of […]
Traffic Rules Comparison – Canada vs. Austria
1. Introduction Canada and Austria have many similarities when it comes to road traffic, but there are also key differences that are important to understand, especially if you plan to move to Canada or travel there. In this post, we highlight the most important differences in traffic rules between Canada (with a focus on Nova […]
Raised Bed, Wildflowers, and Fire Trucks: A Colorful Mix from Canada
After settling in Canada, the next adventure awaited us: we bought a boat – an inflatable boat! Why an inflatable boat? We thought it would be a great way to explore the nearby lake – and honestly, it was! (Well, at least to a certain point…) Inflatable Boat Adventure – Joy with Small Obstacles It […]
Permaculture and Forest Gardens: A Sustainable Path to Healthy Agriculture
Even before we moved to Canada, we had been deeply engaged with the idea of sustainable farming. Gernot, in particular, has been working with the concept of permaculture for years and experimented with it on a small plot in Austria. On less than 300 m², many permaculture principles were integrated, but it became clear that […]
Rain, Storms, and New Paths: An Update from Our Property
The past few days have been marked by rain – sometimes light, sometimes heavy, even with stormy conditions. But as any dog owner knows, the weather doesn’t matter. Diana needs to go out, no matter how unpleasant it is outside, so we ventured through the rain. These rainy conditions also showed us how water flows […]
A Little Treasure – Our Discovery of the Spring in Loch Lomond
Sometimes, it’s the unassuming conversations with neighbors that lead to real treasures. During one of these encounters, we got an interesting tip: only about a 15-minute drive from us, there’s a hidden spring with excellent water, regularly used by many locals in the Loch Lomond area. Naturally, we were intrigued. The directions were a bit […]
Quiet Roads, Big Challenges: How to Prepare for Blackflies and Breakdowns in Canada
When spring arrives in Canada, it brings not only colorful flowers and green foliage but also the less welcome presence of blackflies. These small flies, also known as buffalo gnats, can make outdoor life quite difficult, especially if you’re not prepared. What are Blackflies? Blackflies are tiny, blood-sucking insects that are particularly active during the […]
A Day at Michaud Beach: Sea, Wind, and Adventure
On a Friday in June, we set off for Michaud Beach, an idyllic and quiet spot about 45 minutes from our home in Loch Lomond. Michaud Beach, part of the Point Michaud Beach Provincial Park, is located on the east coast of Cape Breton and is known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The […]