1254678948459757 Our Story/Pictou Island/Pictou Island Yurts
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Our Story

In 2018 CBC filmed a documentary about  Pictou Island,

as part of their series on "Islands of the Atlantic".

Click "Islands of the Atlantic" (above) to view.

"Voir Le Portrait" is in English

Julia & AJ

Sister & Brother

On a fishing boat to the island.

Julia  had a strong desire to “create” beautiful spaces.  Over her lifetime she transformed many properties into an oasis - lakefront, mountain, oceanfront, woodlands, streams and  city condos -  always with scenic views.  Her designs  were  inspired by nature, so when it was time for her "sunset career" she focused on her dream  to create an eco-retreat.  Julia wished  to connect with her family and  to become “Auntie Auntie” with a greater presence.  She was seeking connection across  generations, as well as a true sense of community.

 

When she began her trek to the island, she was met with a genuine community - a step back in time.  She was seeking connection and she found it.  This is when Julia invited  us to join her in creating a family-based business.  One evening she walked us down to the wetlands through thick woodlands  at sunset while she  floated her ambitious ideas.  She stopped us at the edge of the water and proudly pointed, “Just look”.  The view was breath taking.  Then she turned to  her brother and said, “I need to get from here to there” as  she pointed across the water.

 

From the building of the magical bridge across the wetlands came yurts, pavilion, bath house and sauna.  There were many years of lists for   work parties, with AJ and friends delving deep into projects.  While there were tears of joy and dancing in the kitchen when hot water flowed through the taps for the first time, there came a time of profound sadness.  Julia lost her life to illness in November 2016.  Her wish was for us to carry on with Kirribilli EcoRetreat and  pass it down to our 4 children. 

 

Wanting  our children to value experiences above our materialistic world was always a priority for us as parents.  Together we created  a  plan  and worked incessantly to make this dream a reality.

 

Our wish is to share this “experience" with other like-minded people.

If you enjoy nature, feel  rejuvenated after spending time on the beach and are  curious about off-the-grid living then you may wish to give us a ring.

The island is a place to explore, to seek solitude, to  refresh  and  re-connect.

​

AJ & Paula Law

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