Nesting Nut

As Ashlyn is writing her last exam of the semester, I am sitting in the Harriet Irving Library at UNB, or HIL as the students would say. Tomorrow is the last day of exams, so many students have already left campus for the summer. I miss the campus vibe from my days as a student. I have great memories of friends and favourite hangouts at Dalhousie in Halifax. 

Today I made the trip to Fredericton with Ashlyn to help her pack up her dorm room, and visit some of her favourite spots in the city.   It was fun to see the places she’s  talked about since September. It’s almost like reliving my student days. 

Our first stop was Milda’s Pizza in the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. The wood fired pizza is delicious, and they have great coffee and sweet treats too!  This little gem is near Renaissance College, where Ashlyn is studying.  I can see why it’s a favourite hangout. The tables had dried flower arrangements that is a custom of Lithuania. 

The Victorian mansion on Charlotte Street that houses the Renaissance Collge of UNB was also on our list. The beauty of the building amazes me each time I visit. The woodwork is grand and so detailed. Imagine the stories those walls could tell….

It wouldn’t be a proper visit to Fredericton without a walk across the train bridge. An icon that I have seen in a lot of photos, and looked at as I drive by. Today we walked across the bridge, admiring the few signs of spring with fellow pedestrians and cyclists. 

Fredericton has at least a couple of little free library locations on its streets. These cute little houses on posts are filled with books for borrowing.  The idea being you borrow or exchange or donate a book. There was one near the path to the bridge, so we stopped to see what treasures were inside. The wooden box had a glass door, and a shingled roof so the books would stay dry. We found everything from Anne of Green Gables (a favourite from my childhood) to a philosophy book and children’s books.

Now back to reading The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff.  I’m only one chapter in at this point, but I will share my thoughts when I finish….