Staying Safe

I spent a few hours driving around the Island yesterday. It’s still surprising to me how many places there are to see on a relatively tiny rock.

The sun was out but that was only because the very high winds blew all the clouds away. We’re between storms. 🙂

Most of the fishermen stayed ashore – a few ventured out and almost all immediately came back. The rest of them shook their heads and muttered about the lack of common sense. You already know that I think they’re all nuts so imagine how bad the weather must have been to have them remain home.

I saw Herring Cove from Eastern Head and learned the names of some of the topographical features. Oh I’d known there was a Bunker Hill but this was the first time I got a look at it from any distance.

There is also a hill called Big Ship Lumber – accompanied by a Small Ship Lumber which was not in view.

One of the place names I was given has caused me some difficulty.

It might be because this person just makes up words when he can’t remember the correct one immediately. It might be because of the accent. I found one article about the Island which describes the language spoken here in the following terms: Their speech remains distinct and unique, with intonations that might come from the mouth of a Frenchman who had learned his English in Wales.

Whatever the reason, although I searched to find the correct spelling, I cannot confirm that Whale Watch Hunnit is the actual name of a small hill. Of course, from now on that is the only name I will remember. 🙂

There are a few bits of news for those who have left us for warmer locations this winter. You will remember that there were almost no apples this year.

The few trees which did bear fruit have been very popular with the deer – luckily the mountain ash produced a bumper crop of berries. They, and the few remaining rose hips, provide a nice pop of colour in the desperately beige landscape.

Improvements have been made to Herring Cove Park – remember the campsites down by the beach? Well, you don’t have to sleep on the ground anymore. These A-frames on stilts have appeared and campers will have bunk-beds with protection from the weather. I would certainly prefer this to a tent.

Bigger news, if you haven’t already heard, is that Lubec has been awarded $19.6 US for a Safe Harbor Project. There will be a boat launch, harbor and wharf with room for 30 boats.

My understanding is that they will build it down by the Historical Society/Museum and part of the project will include a new road.

I have no idea how long it will take to build. In the meantime they will continue to use their outboards to get to and from the fishing boats and the weather this fall/winter is going to make that even more dangerous than usual.

Don’t ever complain about the price of lobster/scallops/crab etc. It’s a hell of a way to make a living. 🙂