CLEARING OUR TRAIL

This morning we headed out to the back pond to clear a tree that had fallen across our snowshoe trail.

We've walked past this tree a dozen times but today it caught our attention. A large chunk of bark had been pealed off and sap escape. A closer look revealed a huge claw print. Click on the picture to see for yourself.

This is the obstruction we needed to remove.

In a few minutes we had a clear path to the pond and

a sled full of logs and branches. Sherri wants her mom to bring some down this week so she can make a display by her front door.

Still not cold enough to freeze the stream.

When it gets too cold Mary simply moves into her quilt room for inspiration and projects to be completed.

Life is quiet here ........ and will get even more so as winter slowly takes over.

Thanks for stopping by and keeping an eye on us.

GARLIC PLANTED

Home and back at work. First job this morning was planting garlic. It was still too warm before we left and although the ground has started to freeze the job went very well.

We planted 100 cloves like this one and if they all survive we will have plenty of garlic next year. Last year only two survived but we didn't cover them with straw.

Each clove needs to be at a certain depth and with sufficient space. Mary made sure that was done. While she was planting I went and got a bale of straw. Hopefully this years crop will survive.

It's good to be home.

GOING HOME

Time for us to head home. The beach is empty.

Construction crews are repairing the boardwalk; it seems to be a constant job.

The only thing more active are the waves; lots of rollers coming up on the beach today.

It's been a great holiday but we are looking forward to getting home even if it's -13*C there.

Time to ditch the shorts.

Thanks for stopping by and keeping an eye on us.

WINDY

Woke this morning to a frothy sea, wanted sun but got the wind. They are warning about flooding in low areas close to high tide but we will be fine and safe this far back from the beach. Might be a good day to watch the surfers from our balcony, no real plans for the day.

Time for breakfast then a walk.

Safe travels and thanks for keeping an eye on us.

UMBRELLA DAY

Had to get the umbrella out today ........... too much sun yesterday. Woke up this morning looking like the red lobster, so extra protection was needed on the beach; long sleeves, umbrella, sunblock all made for a safer day.

Tomorrow these beaches will be full. The temperature is forecast to be 21*C which will bring the crowds down to the water. Right now it is 26 out but feels like 30.

This trawler has been busy dredging the channel and depositing the sand along our shoreline. This must be a constant battle as we saw him here two years ago.

This afternoon it got much windier and the waves were rolling in constantly. Great weather for surfers.

One more week then we have to leave. We can't believe how warm our days have been and how much time we've spent on the beach. Hoping for more of the same next week.

A PROMISE KEPT

The terrain is becoming familiar. It happens when one stays too long in one place. We no longer need the GPS to find the grocery store, the gas station or the fabric stores, we just know where to go.

We've fallen into a routine, another sign we've settled in. We walk the boardwalk before breakfast and after lunch we take our chairs down to the beach, take off our shoes and get a magic pedicure as we walk along the wet sand; it is glorious.

The fishing pier is a mile north of us, the statue to King Neptune a mile beyond; both easy destinations on a warm sunny afternoon. Yesterday we headed north to the pier and as we got close I watched a man walk down to the water's edge, take out a container and pour dust on the water. I knew immediately what he was doing.

When he finished he came over and we chatted briefly. His wife had passed away last December. They had met 62 years ago on this very beach. Yesterday was their anniversary and he fulfilled his last promise.

He turned and walked back across the beach, we continued walking north under the pier thinking of our own mortality. We talked, walked a little slower, held each other a little closer and silently wished the moment would last forever.

Chance encounters can have such a powerful impact.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.