The Black Licorice Tree

We spent only a single night here with Mark & Melanie and honestly wish we had more time. The home is absolutely beautiful and both hosts are friendly, interesting and outgoing — key qualities for anyone running a B&B. K found The Black Licorice on the web and we booked for one night so we could meet her brother and his family, who were visiting from Montréal.
Mark replied to her inquiry quickly and was more than helpful in arranging check-​in times and suggestions of places to visit on our way in from Toronto. When we arrived Melanie came out to greet us and immediately I felt welcome and at ease. When we went inside to meet Mark the welcome was repeated and reinforced. I am, shall we say, observant (some call it nosey). I will take in as many details of my surroundings as I can, so… when I saw the turntable and rack of vinyl I knew we were in the right place.
We went to our room (The Ginko Room) and when we walked in I realised that this was the coolest B&B I had ever stayed in. I have stayed in B&B’s across the continent and in the U.K., and this was the first time I felt that I was in a room that I would have in my own home. Styling, funky and modern, it was great. The bedside table contained not a bible but a copy of 500 Teapots. How cool is that?
Breakfast was huge fresh fruit salad, amazing coffee from the Old Man machine and basted eggs with candied salmon, chevre, asparagus, new potatoes on many-​grain toast with Black River cheddar. Very nice combination of flavours and textures. Additionally all of the food was served on creations that Melanie had made — she is a clay artist. There was a beautiful surprise at the bottom of the fruit bowls that made K smile happily. You don’t get that from your Corelle!
After breakfast Melanie gave us a tour of the studio and pointed out the rest of the property. There are places to sit and look at stars, enjoy a bonfire and a path to wander along among the milkweed and dragonflies. The location is perfect for access to Sandbanks Provincial Park, Picton and the rest of Prince Edward County. We have been to the County for the Maple Syrup Festival in early spring; this was our first visit in the summertime.
Mark & Melanie are great resources on activities and attractions in the area. They have made a wonderful place to get away and they gave us a wonderful gift of welcome and comfort that we will not soon forget. If our memory does fade a little, we are already planning our return visit.