Black Point Nova Scotia

There is something about Saturday's at the beach.  The early part of our day was full of plans being out & about in the local close by towns.  I was in my glory at the New Glasgow Farmers Market where all things reminded me of my roots.  I didn't know where to focus and was all over the place.  Finally I was told in a polite way to settle down and a suggested plan of attack to visit all of the booths was offered up and we then admired the wares and shopped together.

After supporting the locals, we headed off to Pictou to have lunch at Pictou Lodge.  I savoured my biscuit with molasses butter plus a lobster roll.  Between salmon dinners & haddock dinners, lunch time lobster rolls & seafood chowder, also oat cakes, I am certainly filling my fix for this maritime way of dining.

BUT, I still have lots more beach combing in me to do. With the tide way out later in the day, we got another long walk in before a late dinner.  I picked a focus this time which was to how many different kinds seashells I could find.

         With the tide out so far, we were able to get to spots you can not get to otherwise.

                       With the tide out so far, we were offered different perspectives.

With the tide out so far, we could walk out further.  I watched a beachcomber almost reach Roy's Island.  Me, I preferred to not cross the water.

The wind and tides worked wonders to make this section appear like sand dunes.  If the water and seaweed were not there, one might think it was the desert.

      When the beach grass is blown by the wind, it forms complete circles in the sand. 

                                  oh the geology of it all, sand in the making

                With an hour left of walking still ahead of us, we began our return trip.  

Spending hours on the beach just roaming feels so good for the soul.  I don't take this opportunity for granted, I appreciate every second.  I guess I could say I made sure to "remember to breathe".

Black Point Nova Scotia two days in the life of...

...three ladies living a cottage lifestyle!  The days are laid back! There is loads of conversation!  The hours are full of reminanicing that brings laughter, plus catching up on life's happenings.  The smiles are there and sometimes not.  Walks on the beach are not questioned on whether they will occur, they just happen.  When the scenery sinks in, and the ocean air fills the lungs, with sand between our toes, we know we have arrived....to where we need to be so we can just...be.  

    Many things make this way of life what it is.  Simple little things create the setting.

                  The beach is a place to sit awhile and while away the minutes. 

With so much that needed to be talked about, we strolled the furthest that I have been along the beach to make sure we had all the time we needed.  Wine compliments a lovely beach walk.

At days end, we admired the harvest moon.  Not quite full, it still seemed to fill the sky.  We shared more wine and stories, this time with neighbour friends.  We discovered what a small world this is.  It was like the years had not passed.

As another new morning dawns, I performed the ritual of seeing what might be out the front door.  If you don't bother him, he won't bother you. I just watched as he nibbled on an apple.

                                                    a mourning dove

                                   One section is a rough and rugged shore.  

                       With the tide heading out, we were afforded a view of tiny tide pools.

                                 on the mid morning-side, autumn like-attire was called for

                                                       just a pretty view

                                              beach combing 

Our location was not particularly far from seeing the ferry boat that sails between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  We could see Caribou Island as well as PEI.

                                                               heron

With a full moon on the schedule for tonight, that means the tide will go extra low.  It's the perfect time for yet another stroll in the other direction. At these low tides, there is an opportunity to spot a variety of unique scenes...

                                                   ...like this...

 ...and like this.  We call this a tree of life.  I did not see it at first but those in the know of such trees pointed it out.  There is a story in this design which I will work on and share one day.

                                           

                                      you never know what you will discover during low tide

The signs shows another day of life at the beach is drawing to a close.  The winds calm down, the sky turns pink and a chill fills the air. What a wonderful two days of just being.

        

Cape Breton Nova Scotia Goodbye...Hello

All over Baddeck Cape Breton, I spotted the saying "stay-a-while".  I could see how many folks would be enticed to do so.  I rolled out of bed very early to stroll along the water while the sun introduced another day in paradise.  It was peaceful, so pretty and warm already.  

                         My timing was spot on to witness the beginning of a new day.

                           Alexander Graham Bell and his wife heeded Baddeck's advice.

                                                early morning stillness

                                                        a boat, a lighthouse

I strolled to the end of town and to where I could see the Alexander Graham Bell Museum nestled in the trees.  The day was warming up early.  I had a certain time to be back to meet my friends so began my return stroll.                                 

It was a challenge to keep going I didn't want to just pass by the beauty, I prolonged the return by taking even more time to admire the views in this town.  It was very obvious to me why people would choose to make Baddeck their home.

We enjoyed breakfast, then hit the main road that would take us from Cape Breton Island back to the mainland. We made a few stops along the way to see sights.  My friend was familiar with this castle so we dropped by only to see that it was abandoned.  Now this would be a place one could stay a while.

You never know what is at the end of a road.  Small cabins along this stretch of land could entice one to stay a while.

                                        ...as could a view like this!     BUT...

...where there are apples like this, we felt the strongest pull and the need to go and be there.  Yes, back to our homeland, back to the cottage, back to the beach, where we will stay a while.

After unpacking, loading laundry, savouring wine, I went for another long stroll.  This time it was along the beach as the sun began to settle lower to end the day.

                                              

On this day, at this time, I was presented with a photographers dream. The lighting was ideal, I was even able to capture reflections in tiny pools.

                      This is what beach foliage looks like on the edge of autumn.

The tide was coming in.  I was able to saunter in sand that was still untouched today.  Can I say I owned the beach?  I did this time so I will say I had 100% outright ownership.

I walked all the way to the point which was my turn around spot.  Now I had just as amazing scenery heading back.  The lighting continued to stay in my favour.

Seaweed is a good thing for the beach and for many other reasons,  I used it to frame the bottom of my photo and use it as a barrier between real and reflection.

The air was still, it was very warm, as was the water, yet the clouds were beginning to build to bring that much needed rain.  I took one last photo just before leaving the sand.

Our time in Cape Breton was wonderful.  It is a beautiful part of this province and of our country.  But we all truly know.....