A jumble of ice on Martin's River as the weather turns warm
It was about 8 degrees Celsius today, and sunny – a gorgeous day that drew us outside. We went for a walk along Martin’s River, which flows into Mahone Bay between the towns of Mahone Bay and Chester.
We saw quite a jumble of ice from upriver blocked by the two bridges: the former railway bridge that is now part of the trail system, and the road bridge. The tea-coloured water was rushing around and under the ice floes.
Looking downstream, past the railway bridge to the road bridge in the distance.Looking down Martin's River
We walked past the bridges down one the east side of the river. The ice is thinning but still intact.
Just about the most authentic, old-fashioned maple syrup operation you could ever find is Mountain Maple in the Annapolis Valley, just outside of Wolfville. Perry and Judi Munro are typical of Nova Scotian back-to-the-landers in that they decide first that they want to live here, and then figure out how they’re going to make a living, and they don’t get too specialized. Besides the maple syrup operation, they make art, sculpture, baskets, they guide hunters and fishers and have a vacation rental on the lake. Check out this video, then visit Perry Munro’s website to see what all they’re up to.
Derek Hatfield and Spirit of Canada, with some mutual friends, in Halifax Harbour. Photo by Ed Sulis.
Canada’s Derek Hatfield (who makes his home in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia), was forced to retire from the Vendée Globe round the world, non-stop solo sailing race in December, due to damage to his boat. He nursed his Algimouss Spirit of Canada to Hobart, Tasmania, where he fixed the damage, and on February 27, he left Hobart, determined to complete the course of the race, even if he is no longer officially in it. Thus he will gain valuable solo experience and the knowledge of his Open 60 equal to that of anyone who completes such a race. He will not get the support from the race organizers that he would have had were he still in the race. However, he will be sailing along parts of the route in the company of some other major offshore races.
The Vendée Globe is gradually wrapping up with the final three boats now in the North Atlantic and due to reach France in the next couple of weeks.
Fair winds, Derek. Hope to see you back home safe and sound in a couple of months!
It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day with temperatures well above freezing. We have a lot of snow and ice for that sun to melt. Still, it feels like spring on a day like this. Some people find this time of year difficult in Nova Scotia, when daffodils are blooming in Victoria on the “other coast”. Others relish the cold temperatures and make the most of it. As for me, I’ve usually had my nose buried in my work at this time of year and this year is no exception. And I’m grateful for that.
I saw these on the ice the other day. What do you think it is? It looks like 4 dog paws, then another set of 4 paws, then something dragged for a distance, repeat. Leave comments below.
Seagulls or ducks?
And these? Looks like ducks to me; I can imagine the waddle, and there are lots of ducks right here when the water is liquid.
I had to go to Lunenburg today to see a client, and afterwords I walked around and took pictures. Twas the kind of day that puts smiles on people’s faces.
I’ve just added several of today’s photos to the Lunenburg page of the Photo Album. I love Lunenburg – the steep hills overlooking the harbour, its history, the generations who have lived there. It’s special.
St. John's Anglican Church and Lunenburg harbour beyond
On Feb. 1, the morning sun illuminates the Bay. Photo taken from the causeway to Oak Island, looking north. Oak I. is on the right.
There was a soft dusting of snow on everything on Sunday (above). Then on Tuesday came the biggest snowstorm of the season so far. Schools were closed 2 days in a row. In a storm like that, I feel I’m in a time warp – life seems suspended somehow, even though I was in my usual place in my home office, and the power stayed on, and the internet offered my usual window on the world. Surrounded by the energy of weather, it felt like the inside of a cocoon.
I’ve left the Minas Basin pictures in the Valley section, as it is such a part of life in the Valley, but I’m not sure I should. What do you think? Blomidon has its own section but there are many other Minas Basin pictures that I could put in the Fundy Shore section.
In the old days when people travelled by water, the Fundy Shore was all of a piece. Nowadays we tend not to associate Joggins with Hall’s Harbour, because it’s several hours by road.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have an opinion on this or any subject pertaining to Nova Scotia. Comments are moderated.
