Shop until you drop!

We go to the White Mountains for one week every year and regularly eat dinner at the Stonehurst Manor every Thursday night. We have yet to be disappointed, even after building up the memory of our previous meal for a year. "Why Thursday night?" I heard someone ask. Because that is the night you get two incredible Manor Specialties for the price of one.

The last time we ate there, in August, I had a lamb shank dinner, and my wife had their venison dinner, all for $22. That is hard to beat and, when you consider the quality of the food and the service, is a must-not-miss dining experience.

We always make reservations, because the evening is quite popular (as you can imagine). However, if you do not mind eating before 6:30pm, you should have no trouble getting a table.

I have often considered ordering something different than lamb, but after thinking about Stonehurst Manor for 12 months, that full lamb shank dinner is too good to resist. My wife had her ostrich meal depart the menu this year, and she successfully switched to the venison steak.

Plan to arrive early, as you will want to look at the manor grounds, enjoy the view of the White Mountains, and soak up the ambiance.

The Stonehurst Manor is just north of North Conway, on the right-hand side of Highway 16, heading north out of town. This one is easy to recommend!

The golf course in North Conway is beside the railway station in the centre of the town. The course was in excellent condition in early September, and the green fees, including a cart, were reduced to $30. From a raised tee down to the number-one fairway, you have an incredible view of the White Mountains. But watch for hitting shunting trains on your backswing. From the first tee, you head down to the river valley on a fairly flat course. It is hard to lose balls on this course, as the rough is fairly clean and not overgrown. I lost a ball in the leaves on one of my drives, and as we came back the other way about four holes later, my wife saw the ball from a new vantage point. The greens are a good size and true, and the holes are just challenging enough for experienced golfers, while not being too intimidating for beginners. We are looking forward to playing the course again.

The Hales is located in the White Mountains and is an absolutely beautiful course to play. You will probably want to use a cart, which is included in the price, unless you are in good condition. Each hole presents a postcard view, so, on the tee, give yourself extra warm-up time to enjoy the scenery. The fairways wind their way through a housing development, so the golfer is responsible for any damage, but the risk is worth the experience.

From North Conway, find Old West Road, which is accessed by taking the left turn at the stoplights by the most northern church in town. After crossing the bridge, turn left onto Old West Road and watch for the entrance to the community and golf club on the right. It is easily missed so watch for the name of the course carved in a large rock as you drive by.

The course is in excellent shape, not difficult for the average golfer, and presents a satisfying round of golf.

Take a cart and forget the score. The scenery will make all of your frustrations disappear.

When my wife said she wanted to get a timeshare week in North Conway NH, I was just a little concerned. She’s an inveterate shopper and pretty persnickety when it comes to buying, so I envisaged a horror week of shopping, shopping, shopping. To help me out, she promised only to shop for three days of the full week we planed to be away.

I was working in Washington so we drove up to New Hampshire on the Friday. Now, there is an adventure, to drive the eastern seaboard, via New York City, on a Friday. It wasn't until we were deep into New Hampshire that traffic cooled a little.

We arrived at our timeshare accommodation in the White Mountains and the spectacular autumn colours quickly made us forget the hassle of getting there. We get colours in the Laurentians, around our home in Ottawa, Canada, but New Hampshire's are equally exciting.

The first day we walked to a number of outlets to see what was available. Well, let me tell you, after seeing what North Conway had to offer, you couldn't get me out of the shops. We shopped until we dropped, all right, for six days. And I am happy to say that even with the low Canadian dollar at the time, the bargains were really bargains. We are going back this September for a second go.

Lest you think it is only a shopping trip, New Hampshire is one of our favourite outdoor spots as well. We enjoyed the fresh air, the quiet countryside, the relaxed pace, and the friendly people. The fact that there is no state sales tax didn't hurt either.

One of the great walks when we go to New Hampshire is the route around Jackson. Every Thanksgiving week (for you Canadians out there) and every Columbus Day week (for you Americans out there), Jackson and the surrounding areas participate in the Pumpkin People festival. The local merchants and citizens decorate pumpkins in creative ways (some of them building tableaus of Pumpkin People families), and there are groups engaged in all sorts of activities. The walk around the whole town takes about 30 minutes, taking you past the Wentworth Golf Club with its beautiful covered bridge, past colourful river banks, and past long tree-lined streets (or should I say street?).

All in all, it is a great way to spend a few hours on a quiet end of an August/start of September day. If you go, there will be one tableau you must see, which is just past the Wentworth Golf Club on the south side of the street. There is usually a sign by a stand of condominiums pointing to Pumpkin People "that way." Follow the sign, and at the end of the condos, you will find an excellent presentation and a basket of McIntosh apples that are yours for the taking. Make sure to leave some for the next wanderers.

I suggest you park in front of the Wentworth Inn by the river and walk towards the town, following the route down to the old covered bridge, where you probably came into Jackson. Turn right and walk along by the Wentworth Golf Club, with golf club on your right, until you come to a parking lot on the right where you can head down a small hill and walk across to the main street that takes you back by the Wentworth Golf Club clubhouse. Keep going and you will see your car on the left.

We will be going back next year to make sure the apples are as good as they were this year.