This slideshow requires JavaScript.

November, 2016

In 1984 we had a dream to own a property on Nantucket Island. After sharing a house in Tom Nevers with partners we set out on our own with the purchase of Many Castles, November 1986.

Spring 1987 we set up Many Castles as a summer rental property. Every season we worked to improve the cottage. Back in 1986 there were no houses on Madequecham bluff. We had exactly eight neighbor houses. When we were not washing windows, scraping peeling paint, cleaning and painting we packed up the kids and headed to Madequecham beach.

On windy foggy days we swung Danny and Lisa Marie out and over the waves of shore breakers as we walked our beach. Fishing for Stripers and Blues was a constant. Summer evenings we huddled around a small fire out of reach of the waves, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Some evenings we would visit neighbor’s and walk home to Many Castles in total darkness until eyes adjusted to a million brilliant stars overhead.

Driving in or out of Russell’s Way could be a challenge with brush scraping the sides of the old Volvo wagon, deer and bunnies in the headlights, or giant water filled potholes to get around or drive through. Fall nor’easters brought horizontal rain and a leaky roof. Every spring there was more scraping, painting and windows to wash. And so it went until September, 2016 when we arrived to say “Hello, Many Castles”. The difference is, this fall, we will clean up for the very last time. When we depart at the end of October,  we will say our final, “Goodbye, Many Castles”.

We hope you have memories of a special place and that like us, you are able to follow a dream.

Nancy and Peter Policastro

MANY CASTLES, Nantucket Island, MA

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

 

 

We returned from vacation to find our front lawn overwhelmed in weeds.  The following Saturday I went off on my bike to run a few errands.  When I returned home Peter was in the yard with a shovel and bucket.  What are you doing?? I asked?   What does it look like I’m doing?? I’m taking out the lawn!!  Considering we have done this in the past, I suggested he hold the thought but put down the shovel and go take a shower.  I had an idea and would be back A.S.A.P.

My idea was to run up US 1 to see my friend, Braulio “Gomez” @ A&B Sunshine Garden Center.  Lucky for me when I arrived Gomez was in.  I explained my problem and he promised to come over at 4:30 pm that afternoon to give us an estimate for the project. Before departing for home I ordered up some lovely takeout tacos and burritos from the Taco Truck parked at the Garden Center.

Peter was thrilled to see that I arranged lunch, but even happier when I told him Gomez was coming to our rescue.  Within ten days we went from ugly weed infested lawn to fabulous retaining wall and pea gravel yard.  NO MORE WEEDS/NO MORE LAWNMOWER!

Gomez has a strong, hard working man who came and removed the lawn.  Then Francisco arrived to build the wall. He methodically went to work with saw, level and stones.  Later that week the wall was done.  He even returned another day to add a planter around one of the front yard palms.  I found stepping-stones in our back yard and made a path to the East side of the house where we have a small vegetable garden.

If you need plants, mulch, rocks a wall or anything else for your garden I highly recommend Gomez (561-401-2310).  He provides quality materials and plants at a fair price.  Gomez and his team are second to none.  They were fun and easy to have working on the property.  Best of all they do not mess around but get the job done. We love our new front yard!  

My brother-in-law, Brian arrived Tuesday.  Yesterday we decided to drive about one hour south to visit Le Village Historique Acadien, in Pubnico.  Jordan Bay was foggy when we departed, but Pubnico was bright and sunny when we arrived.  The early 1900’s Acadian village is situated on a beautiful 17 acre site overlooking Pubnico Harbour.  

We arrived about 1 pm in time for lunch in the Museum cafe.  The special was “Fricot”, a hearty chicken stew with vegetables and dumplings.  Delicious! After lunch we headed through the glass doors to explore the village.

We first met the cows in their pasture overlooking the harbor.  Then we visited homes and shops and met the people who lived and worked in the village.  They told us the story of life here from as early as 1832 to the mid – 1900’s.  

After visiting the two houses we peeked into the Shoemaker Shop that later became the Post Office.

We probably had the most fun visiting the Blacksmith. He demonstrated how to make nails.

Then we strolled down toward the waterfront and learned about boat building, salting fish and making lobster pots.

The walking trail around the village led us through a small wood and up a hill to the Lighthouse. 

Our last stop was the Acadian Cemetery . . . 

When you find and save a recipe on Pinterest, do you ever make it?  I confess I love to save those beautiful photo’s of luscious treats onto my FOOD board.  Honestly, I have dozens, and I  have never made one of them! When I walked into Sobey’s Grocery today and found beautiful, fresh, luscious raspberries on sale, I knew what I HAD to do.  I bought the berries and ingredients for a very pretty Raspberry Cake I had recently found on Pinterest.  I went home and made the cake, today.  Of course, the recipe I chose was Italian, made in Italy and written in Italian.  I used the translator on my computer to be able to read the recipe.  Unfortunately, only the ingredients made sense in the translation. The directions were confusing. Nevertheless, I set to work to make this beautiful confection:

I would include the recipe here, but I was not able to copy it.  If you want it, email me and I’ll send you a link or you can find it on my Pinterest page, under FOOD. 

Brian is here to visit and both he and Peter seemed to like the cake very much.   The next time I make it, I need to firm up the custard.  Otherwise, the Cake turned out well. The ingredients:  sponge cake, vanilla syrup, pastry cream, fresh raspberries and Italian meringue are a foolproof, delicious combination.

There is nothing like walking out the front door and directly into a HUGE spider web! Luckily, I noticed the Spider and the web before meeting him head on.

This was not the first time Mr. Spider visited the cottage.  Years past, he set up at the side of the entry vs, directly at the front door.  The web was enormous and the spider ran all over it tending small details.  We had to knock the web down because of it’s location. The web may be gone, but he’s still out there and able to build again.  Just not at our front door.

Over the years other unusual animals have stopped by. One day, we arrived home and found this guy in the front yard . . . 

We were lucky the dogs were inside and the porcupine did not stick around.  He slowly waddled back into the forest. Some visitors are no problem.  This little one, for instance . . . 

The same day that we saw the clear morning sky a haze settled in the evening.  As the sun set, the sky lite up though the haze.  Later that night the haze blew away.  As we stood outside to star gaze, we saw the Milky Way, The Big Dipper and then, suddenly a very bright shooting star flew overhead.  

We stayed inside away from a day long driving rain.  The next morning we woke to a beautiful, clean sparkling sun washed sky.

I though the Hornet’s Nest at The Big Blueberry Farm was big.  Little did I know that we have our very own nest here at Grandview Cottage.  

I wonder how long it took the Hornet’s to build this under the high eve of the cottage? We are lucky it’s so high up that the Hornets don’t bother us and we don’t bother the Hornets.

After the nest discovery, I walked down along the rock wall toward the water. Peter said that before he mowed the high meadow grass he could clearly see the deer nesting spots. On my way in from Town last week I saw a Doe and two fawns crossing Sandy Point Road. If we’re lucky, they may pay us a visit before we depart.

It was a pleasant surprise to see several new shops in town this summer. In typical Shelburne fashion, I learned about more places to visit at each new shop. Saturday morning I woke early and headed into town for a garage sale, then onto the Farmer’s Market.  After, I stumbled on another garage sale. Once all the local stuff was covered, I decided to drive toward Yarmouth and search out “Veronica’s Antiques and Variety Store”.  One of the new shopkeeper’s said it was worth the drive.

The location of Veronica’s was described as only two exits outside of Shelburne.  What they failed to mention was that once you take exit 28, the shop is approximately, 10 kilometers over hill and dale. I admit it was a pretty drive past farms with river and sea views, but it was still a long drive.  I pulled up just as Veronica was opening and putting things out into the yard. The building was old and somewhat nondescript.   I said hello and walked inside.  What a relief, Veronica did not disappoint!

The shop was well organized and beautifully presented.  The interior of the building had an original tin ceiling and an interesting peephole in the front door. Over it’s lifetime, the building had at one time been a Temperance Hall, a Speakeasy, a Community Center, a Children’s Center and now that Veronica had purchased and updated the electric service among other things, it is a wonderful shop filled with all manner of vintage and unique items. 

After scouring Veronica’s for treasure, I headed back toward the highway but turned left rather than right in order to check out a large BARN SALE sign.  

I walked inside the Clyde River Pickers barn and was immediately drawn to this amazing vintage wood burning stove:

WOW!  What a beauty!  To bad it is too big for our cottage.  Or, maybe that is a good thing as the asking price was more than I would spend for a stove.

Before long I was back on the road and headed toward Shelburne.  I made one more stop in town to a very small new shop located on the corner of Water Street,  behind a lovely historic home called “Humphries House”.

The woman who owned Humphries House in Shelburne sold a few years ago to a nice couple from Liverpool.  Rather than using the house as their shop, as the former owner had, they set up this small house in the rear/side yard.  If no one is there you simply ring the back bell or call for an appointment.  It was interesting to me that there was no electric lighting inside the small house. Photo’s were difficult to take, so I’ll describe what I found. Lovely original hooked rugs of all sizes, Indian art and artifacts unusual Folk art carvings, paintings, local wood carvings, etc. 

The following photo’s are of my Treasure, found today: