Cape Split Hiking Trail

A couple of week-ends ago we decided to head to Cape Split on the Bay of Fundy. We did drive to Scots Bay 2 or 3 years ago, but gave up because of the potholes in the road. They were worse than anywhere else in Nova Scotia.

Nothing had changed in the condition of the road, in fact it was worse, but we persevered to the end. There were diggers, machines and lots of workmen and we thought it was just our luck that the trail was closed. But no, they were just starting on work to make a new car park at the entrance to the park and seemingly there are to be 2 compostable toilets at a cost of $42,000!

We headed along the trail, enjoying the sculptures of the old trees.

There is no tree management and so trees are allowed to  grow as they like.

With trees growing horizontally and branches shooting up at odd angles.

 

The trail ends at Cape Split, well named.

There is no way across to the stack of rock.

So we just had to enjoy the view while we ate our picnic.

 

This little squirrel seemsed to be putting his tongue out at us.

There were more wild tree shapes on the return trip, a total hike of just 15 km.

We saw this abandoned church on our drive to the park and had to stop for photographs.

I can’t see anyone taking this on as a renovation project.

 

Shark Week in Lockeport, Nova Scotia

This was meant to be a fishing Blog telling about our trips fishing for mackerel and striped bass.

However, last week-end we headed to Lockeport to fish for mackerel, to find that the local Sea Derby was in progress. We fished for a short time at our usual pier, but nothing was biting, so we went over to the Government wharf to see what was being brought in.

Several fishing boats were waiting to land their catch. One boat had a long look-out platform for spotting sword fish. I liked her name.

Some cod had been landed and were being weighed and measured. There doesn’t seem to be a limit to the size taken, but there is a maximum of 10 rule.

The Governement body, the Department of Fisheries, was present to check what was being landed.

The sharks had to be winched from the boats up into a shed where they were weighed and measured and the contents of their stomachs examined.

The Porbeagle looked viscious, although they seemingly don’t attack humans.

The blue shark weighed about 350lb! I thought it was a beautiful colour.

We had a very exciting day and might go fishing at the Sea Derby next year.

 

Bay of Fundy

I am fascinated by rocks. Their shape, size, colour, pattern, all give me a great feeling of amazement. The granitic tors on Ben Avon in Scotland inspired me to paint their unique shapes.

So, when I read about sea caves at Cheverie, Hants County, we headed there yesterday, to take a look. It was dull, no bright sunshine to brighten any photos. The tide was well out on the Bay of Fundy, but as we left the car, a north wind hit us. It was so cold at Johnson Cove, that we thought we might freeze to death before we reached the caves, so we returned to the car and drove a little further to Mutton Cove.

The beach here was sheltered fom the north, so we walked back towards Johnson cove. Despite it now snowing, I forgot about the cold as I caught sight of the rock faces.

Horizontal bands of white and pink set above layers of breaking shale.

Vertical columns pushed up from the horizontal. Folded, twisted, blacks and reds. Some sitting adrift on the beach floor and rock stacks, that have split off from the land but still have a growth of trees on the top.

And around the corner, the north wind did blow, and white horses raced on a chocolate sea.

So, we retreated to the car for our picnic!

Five Islands Provincial Park

This is just the conclusion of our weekend at Joggins, when we stopped at Five Islands Provincial Park for a hike on the Sunday morning.

This park rises from the shores of the Bay of Fundy, with the highest tides in the world. Many campers had taken this last opportunity to camp, before the camping grounds closed for the season the next day.  There are group camping places, but mainly individual spots, each with its own picnic table and fire pit. These campers had made a covered dining area to keep off the mosquitoes.

We hiked through the park and down to the beach. The tide was out, way out, and people were arriving to collect the semi precious stones that can be found after every tide.

Clam digging is another big event here. These people are out on a spit of sand digging.

You can see how far out they are!

One couple seem to have some sort of  little trailer with them.

The split rock on the next photo is Cape Split! We were there when we walked at Blomidon Provincial Park last year. It doesn’t look too far in the photo, but it is 250 kms by road, because you have to drive around the Bay of Fundy!

You can see how the water drains out of the Bay at low tide, leaving a very red mud – a bit messy for paddling.But fantastic for beach combing.