Back to the Water

North Hatley (circa 1792) has stunning landscape, gorgeous heritage homes and is located at the north end of Lake Massawippi, we have come full circle on this serene lake driving on as many back roads as possible, not all paved, and not as good as the Dokis Road! My car has been christened.

We reached Manoir Hovey early on another sunny afternoon. Many of the first settlers around North Hatley were United Empire Loyalists, mostly farmers who left New England following the American Declaration of Independence in 1776. Several of these fine farmhouses of this period still exist in the village. Manoir Hovey was named after one of the most noteworthy of these settlers, Captain Ebenezer Hovey.

The first summer people were aristocrats, captains of industry and large landowners, mostly Americans. They brought their lifestyles with them - butlers and servants horses and carriages. Manoir is reminiscent of George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon. Boy, I wish these walls could talk! This home did at one time have its own stables and a private 9 hole golf course, To this day very old golf balls are still found in the woods and remnants of the various holes peek through the underbrush.

It’s beautiful, comfortable and grand. Guests are strolling in the gardens, some are enjoying tea or cocktails on the lawn or outside patio. The water is deep blue, calm, clear and dotted with boats

some fishing, some pleasure but many with sun shades protecting them from the heat. I have noticed around this lake that Pontoon boats are very popular, makes sense for touring around the lake. Not a rock in sight, should be pretty safe considering the average depth of 136 feet. Several fishing tournaments are held on the lake because there is a marked presence of bass, pikeral and pike and in the fall thousands of migratory birds descend upon this region before heading further south.

Dinner was amazing. We had some new tastes, Buffalo carpaccio for me and Red Deer. Delicious. Tony had “kid” baby goat and he was over the moon with the loin and sausage. Accompaniments were baby beets of every colour, greens, pickled onion curls, cubes of kohlrabi, Tony had addition of baby roasted eggplant. The presentations were gorgeous, I did not take photos because no flash was allowed in the dining room and to be honest I did not know if my phone camera would do that. Dessert was Flower and Fruit for me, a stunning wreath presentation of colour, peach, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, edible flowers and mint, held in place by citrus drops of jelly and raspberry sorbet that exploded with flavour. I think it was the best dessert I have ever had. Tony had a rhubarb tartlet, he said it was excellent, he loved the textures, but it wasn’t as pretty! I was very quiet devouring mine. We were tired, it was a long day.