Long day

The sun did poke thru the clouds a few times, but for the most part it has been a cloudy day. This afternoon I checked the temperature in Dartmouth, it was 7 C. Here in Annapolis Royal it was 18 C. So I am at the warm end of the province today, thank goodness.
I checked out of the dome around 8:30 am and decided to stop at Luckett's Vineyards for a few photos of their gardens. It was still closed, so no people around. The first extra shows the red phone booth he has in the vineyards.
Second and third stop was at a garden club plant sale and a drive around the old research station in Kentville where there are a lot of rhododendrons planted. Peak bloom is still a couple of weeks away.
I stopped at a couple of my favorite bakeries, only to find out that one of them has closed. Another garden center stop, it is family owned, they grow mostly annuals, and their quality and prices are excellent. A stop at another farm market, then a detour in for a quick visit with a friend who sells plants from his home. He also sells them at the farm market, but I like to stop and have a visit.
Next stop was where I spent the most money today. I bought quite a few perennials. The main and the third extra were taken at the display gardens at this nursery. It is owned by an Asian woman and her husband. G is about 4'9" and 90 pounds soaking wet, but she is strong. Her husband builds these amazing gardens. I'm not sure how long they have been open, maybe 10 years. In the past 5 years, they have expanded the display gardens. I'm sure it helps sales, people can see the plants actually growing in a garden. I talked to one man who was sitting by the waterfall. He said he didn't mind bringing his wife there to spend money, because he could go and sit in the gardens while she shops.
Two more nurseries completed the shopping for today. I had to make sure I left some space in the back of the truck for the sale tomorrow.
After I checked into the motel, I had my chicken salad sandwich for supper. One of the bakeries makes a really good chicken salad sandwich, and I find it is all I want for supper after traveling all day.
I went for an early evening walk at the French Basin Trail. I could hear lots of birds but they were staying in the trees. Even the various ducks were staying well away from the shore. Except for the sora, I could hear him, but could not find him in the reeds. The second extra is a view across the marsh.