Sunday, January 22, 2012

A Lobster Port In The Winter

These beautiful fibreglass fishing boats are waiting on the wharf for the spring season to open.
These beautiful fibreglass fishing boats are waiting on the wharf for the spring season to open.

There was “Knot a Chance” I was going to miss a cold, snow covered, bright sunny day to take some pictures of a cute fishing village wharf close to home here on the Witch’s Island. It’s an interesting place at this time of year. The boats are all resting, some in fine shape, new and gleaming and some are very much showing signs of wear and tear. One boat had an ugly metal patch on its gunwale and there were several more that were badly in need of a good paint touch-up. Still, they looked so graceful up on their stands waiting for spring so that they can sail the ocean far and wide again to bring home the daily catch. Oh, what stories and secrets have been told on these beautiful boats we can only imagine.

 Might be time to give this mermaid a new coat of paint.
Might be time to give this mermaid a new coat of paint.

 Not the prettiest vessel in the fleet!
Not the prettiest vessel in the fleet!

In summers past I have been on quite a few deep-sea fishing trips where I have fished cod, mackerel, hake, sole, and even the odd sculpin fish. Only the last kind was ever thrown back and that was only because they are so damn ugly. If you ever saw one you would know what I mean. Still, apparently while they are lacking in good looks they supposedly very tasty. Maybe you’ll try one and let me know.

The boats are all on shore at this time of year.
The boats are all on shore at this time of year.

Even with the mild weather we have had this year the water has still frozen solid.
Even with the mild weather we have had this year the water has still frozen solid.

 Not a soul around.
Not a soul around.

The wharf itself was very still, not even the water was moving, it being frozen right to the edges of the pier. Even the wind stopped while we were there. It was kind of like a maritime ghost town. It was pretty, though. Most shacks had some kind of decoration, a bright red paint, some old tuna tails, a pirate flag. They really stood out against the winter sky and the ice.

 Like notches on the gunslinger’s pistol, someone is keeping track of the kill.
Like notches on the gunslinger’s pistol, someone is keeping track of the kill.

 The Skull and Crossbones. I don’t imagine that this flag leaves the port.
The Skull and Crossbones. I don’t imagine that this flag leaves the port.

Three of the sheds had weathervanes, which seems sort of redundant but I guess it’s important to know which way the wind is blowing if you’re heading out on the water. My favourite of the three was the funky bird one which looked like it had been constructed from old yard tools.

This weathervane looks like it was homemade from old garden tools.
This weathervane looks like it was homemade from old garden tools.

This one has a fisherman in a dory.

This weathervane is some kind of duck floating in a pond.
This weathervane is some kind of duck floating in a pond.

We have been very lucky with the weather so far this year. Winter is already a third complete and I choose to believe that spring is just around the corner. I can almost picture the boats plowing through the waves right now.

 The last thing the lobster sees just before his trap is hauled over the side.
The last thing the lobster sees just before his trap is hauled over the side…

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

My Secret Santa Has Really Come Through!

 My Secret Santa parcel has arrived!
My Secret Santa parcel has arrived!

My Secret Santa has really come through!

Christmas had come and gone and there had been no parcel in the mail and I was wondering if maybe there wouldn’t be one but, lo and behold, there it was in this morning’s post! Hubby picked it up before work today and then phoned me to say that it was here. I spent all day wondering what it could be, just like a little kid.

When he finally got home this afternoon I tore right into it and it was full of wonderful things! There were four jars of home-made preserves in a table-top caddy, fours small books and a nice card. Wow, Secret Santa, thank you so much!

 Pulling the contents from my Secret Santa parcel.
Pulling the contents from my Secret Santa parcel.

 Everything was nicely wrapped and looked beautiful.
Everything was nicely wrapped and looked beautiful.

 My Secret Santa gifts, homemade jams in a pretty metal caddy and four little books.
My Secret Santa gifts, homemade jams in a pretty metal caddy and four little books.


While I can’t be 100% sure who my Secret Santa really is I think that I know and she is a fellow blogger. You can find her at this link and if that isn’t her then that blog is an interesting read anyway.

Thanks again, Santa!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Best Wishes For 2012!

We were out for a drive yesterday and this caught my eye from the passenger side window. This guy was prepared for any possibility! I had to take a picture. It’s was just too funny.

Roadside email inbox
Roadside email inbox. Funny!

When I got up this morning I discovered that Granny New Year had arrived while I was sleeping. She keeps some late hours. I know because we were out in the back yard lighting off fireworks until almost 12:30 in morning and there was nothing on the kitchen counter before I went to bed. This year she brought me a book about sea glass and it should keep me going until the weather is a little moe suitable for beachcombing.


Pure Sea Glass Book by Richard LaMotte was my Granny New Year gift this year.
Granny New Year came through again.

Anyway, I just wanted to wish all my family and friends (including you readers) a Very Happy New Year!!

Enjoy.