Great Egret Sighting!

Great Egret

Kingsburg Pond, Kingsburg NS

June 3, 2015

I was lucky enough to get a fairly crisp shot of this gorgeous Great Egret fishing in Kingsburg Pond.  Keep your eyes peeled for an all white bird on your next trip to Hirtle's Beach.

Winter Tracks

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Feb. 6, 2015

Just us winter critters, out exploring the fresh snow. Consistent cold temperatures have produced excellent skiing conditions.  Lots of powdery snow atop a hard, crusty base.  I'm in heaven.

Birding: Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Jan. 23, 2015

It's been a while since I've posted here, thought this shot was worthy of jump starting the 'ole blog again.  This is my first sighting of a redpoll, I think I'm in love.  What a cutie!!!

How cold is that ocean?

A zippy and refreshing 14 C.

First time I've had the hood and gloves on this Fall, air temp is colder than the water.

How cold is that ocean?

A surprisingly mild 15 C at Hirtle's Beach this morning.  

No hood or gloves, delightful!

Beach Report - How cold is that ocean?

9 a.m. - A brisk 15/16 C (knee deep) at Hirtle's Beach

How cold is that ocean? Not as cold as last week!

Current ocean temp.: 3.5 C
Air temp.: 10 C

Feet temp. after 2 hours surfing: not cold

Everything's coming up Millhouse!

Blowin'

Gaff Point

Jan. 12, 2014

Winter beach

Hirtle's Beach, NS

Feb. 2, 2014

Scrape, shiver....mutter...

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Nov. 15, 2013

I haven't been taking many pictures lately, here's a typical winter morning scene.  I'm one of the few maniacs looking forward to the snow on Sunday.  Now where did I put my ski boots?........

Smokenator 1000 Beef Brisket

Thanks to my new Smokenator 1000, I am able to get the kettle temperature below 250 F, welcome to flavour country!  If you have a Weber bbq, pick up one of these muthas!

Brisket begins

The finished product.  

I smoked the brisket with oak chunks I dug out of last year's firewood pile.  Don't believe everything 'purists' say, the smoke did not impart a bitter or weird flavour.  I was very pleased with the results, check out that smoke ring!  I'm glad I planned ahead and had the brisket marinating in the rub for 24 hours, great flavour.

When the recipe says 7-8 hour cooking time, they ain't kiddin'.  I smoked it for ~5 hours and had to finish it in the oven.  Lesson learned.  

Lunenburg Bike Barn Cyclocross Race #2 at the MARC

The switchback starts to fill up with early race leaders in the first lap. 

All photos Dec. 1, 2013 @ the M.A.R.C., Dayspring, NS

 Still more room at the top....

Almost full of riders!

I decided to play around with capturing speed blur shots for the rest of the race, here are some of my better results:

Shawn Marshall, race leader for many laps, finished #2.

 Not sure if the smiles were due to the early stage of the race or the fact that the labyrinth/spiral/vortex race feature was gone.

Shane Eno with his eye on the prize.

Jack be nimble....

Glad I lucked out and got two racers in this shot.

Jack be quick....

The aftermath of the race.  Mild temps made for slicker conditions than last week.  I witnessed a couple spills during the race but luckily nothing serious.

What's on this weekend? One Breakfast. One Luncheon. One Supper....and a craft market.

A bit of this, a bit of that on this weekend, take your pick.

I'm most excited about the always excellent Halifax Crafters Society Holiday Craft Market!  It takes place tomorrow and Sunday and is NOT TO BE MISSED:

Breakfasts

November 30, 

Royal Canadian Legion #23, Lunenburg, 

7:30-11:30 a.m. 

Adults $8; ages 5-12, $4. 

Takeout available for pick-up $8.50. 634-4215

Teas/Luncheons

Saturday, November 30, 

Annual Christmas Luncheon and Silent Auction. 

Middlewood United Church Hall (just past Exit 16, Highway 103)

12 noon - 2 p.m., . 

$8. 

Menu: Chili, various soups, clam/ corn chowder, rolls, pie, tea/ coffee. 

Entertainment by the Uke Mates.

Suppers

December 1, 

Annual Seafood and Corn Chowder Supper. 

Riverport Fire Hall. 

4- 6 p.m. 

Adults $12, children $6, under 5 free. Cakes for dessert.

Lunenburg Bike Barn Cyclocross Race - Nov. 24th

(all shots from Dayspring, NS, Nov. 24)

Racers gather at the start line while Al and Tobias sort out last minute details. ^_^

Cyclocross, wut?  File under: it's big in Europe, especially....Belgium?  This was my first cyclocross race and it won't be my last.  Cyclocross races typically have many short laps and what seemed like a short race duration.  They also feature technical course sections, forcing racers to slow down as they navigate tight hairpins/switchbacks and other interesting elements like this pinwheel/labyrinth:

Did I mention dismounting?  You heard right, it wouldn't be a *cross race unless riders were forced to get off and push their bikes up steep sections.  The sawpit in the background is usually a soupy mess of sawdust but on this race day it was looking pretty frozen:

Those that managed to ride up the steep section had a slight speed advantage on the exit, which I hope my 'speed blur' attempts convey:

To add insult to injury, there was a stair/step section and this lone obstacle which forced all riders to dismount and carry their bikes.  I was hoping for an epic bunny hop over this one but as far as I could tell, no takers that afternoon:

Riders will return to the MARC next Sunday, Dec. 2nd for another cyclocross race.  The course makes for great viewing as a spectator and by all accounts the racers liked it too.  Even the pinwheel.

See you at the MARC!

What's on this weekend? Eggs 'n bacon! Christmas teas and coffee parties! Pasketti!

Chilly mornings are now the norm, so head on over to your nearby church/fire hall and warm up with cheery faces and some home cooked grub.

If I get my act together, I'll be heading over to Maitland for their annual Christmas Tea for the best tea in Lunenburg County.  

Stay warm everybody!

Breakfasts

Saturday, November 23, 

Newfie Breakfast, 

Chester Basin Legion. 

7:30-10:30, 

Menu selections and take-out available.

Saturday, November 23, 

Firemen's Breakfast, 

United Communities Fire Hall, Cherry Hill. 

8- 11 a.m. 

Adults $7, 5- 12 years $3.25, under 5 free.

Sunday, November 24. 

Mahone Bay Legion, 

9 a.m.- 1 p.m. 

$8 adults, $4 children, 5 and under free.

Teas/Luncheons

Saturday, November 23

Christmas Tea and Sale,

Springfield Baptist Church 

2 - 4 p.m., 

Adults $5, children 12 and under $2.

Saturday, November 23, 

Middle LaHave Cemetery Christmas Coffee Party. 

Lutheran Church, Upper LaHave. 

10:30 a.m-1 p.m., 

Crafts, bake table and Christmas basket draw. 

Adults $7; children $3.50.

Sunday, November 24,

Annual Christmas Tea,  

Maitland Community hall, 

11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. 

Salad plate. All proceeds for upkeep of hall.

Wednesday, November 27

Coffee Party, 

Riverport Community Centre. 

11- 1. 

Sandwiches, sweets, beverages, bake table, 

Adults $7. Sponsored by St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.

Suppers

November 23, 

Pasta Supper, 

Wesley United Church, 22 Drew's Hill Road, Petite Riviere. 

4:30- 7 p.m., 

$10.

Choice of 3 pasta dishes, garlic bread, salad, semifredo (dessert). 

Newfoundland: Trout River Pond

Trout River Pond

Gros Morne National Park

Trout River, NL

June 17, 2013

If Google Maps is to be believed, 'technically' the body of water in the foreground is Trout River Small Pond.  If you are thinking, "that's a lake, not a pond!", welcome to Newfoundland.  Where lakes are ponds and ponds are.....I have no idea.

Newfoundland: Woody Point Deadhead

Woody Point, NL

June 15, 2013

Not that kind of deadhead, silly.

Newfoundland: The Tablelands

Gros Morne National Park

Woody Point, NL

June 16, 2013

I'm in a Gros Morne state of mind these days so here's another shot from this summer's trip to the rock. I'm surprised I've not posted more shots from The Tablelands, this is only the start.

This boardwalk is one of the 'official' walks into the tablelands, though you can ramble anywhere you want to if you so desire.  I hear that this bowl is a magnet for backcountry snow lovers, packing boards and skis for a rip down the slopes.

Nothing says ultramafic rock like the peridotite found in the tablelands.  One must experience this place first hand to truly get a sense of how other worldy this landscape looks and feels.  

Newfoundland: The Road to Tickle Point

Tickle Point

St. Paul's, NL

June 20, 2013

It seems like such a long time since we walked out this rocky road to scope out the fishing shacks of Tickle Point.  You can see a bank of fog lurking in the distance, it disappeared as quickly as it arrived.  Thick and grey.

What's on this weekend? Christmas Teas! Breakfasts, of course! Roast Beefs! Turkey! White elephants!!!

Another weekend packed with choices.  If you get a chance to frequent a Christmas Tea, I recommend them.  No better way to get in the mood for the season than tiny sammiches, egg salad and squares.  Oh, and I'm sure plenty of cute decorations too!

Breakfasts

November 9

Hebbs Cross Fire Department, 

7- 11 a.m. 

Homemade baked beans, eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, toast, tea, coffee, juice.

Price $7, children $3.

Saturday, November 9, 

St. Martin's Anglican Church Hall, Martin's River.

7- 11 a.m.,  

Scrambled eggs, pancakes, hash browns, baked beans, bacon, sausage, toast, tea, coffee, juice. 

Adults $7, children 5- 12 $3, under 5 free. 

Proceeds: St. Martin's Church

Teas/luncheons

Saturday, November 9,

Christmas Tea. 

All Saints Lutheran Church, Newcombville,  

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

White elephant, craft and bake table. 

Adults $7, under 12 $2, under 5 free.

Thursday,, November 14, 

St. Joseph's Christmas Luncheon. 

St. Joseph's Parish Centre, 100 Queen Street, Bridgewater. 

11 a.m.- 1 p.m. 

Variety of delicious homemade soups and sandwiches.  Choice of desserts from fancy sweets to fresh fruit salads, tea and/ or coffee. 

Price $10. 

White elephant and craft tables with a Christmas Basket Raffle.

Suppers

November 11,
Remembrance Day Banquet Roast Beef Dinner
Lunenburg Legion Branch #23  

6 p.m. 

$12.50/ person. Members and guests welcome. 

Tickets may be picked up at Legion bar. Phone 634-4215

November 9, 

Roast Beef Supper, 

United Baptist Church, Mahone Bay. 

4:30 - 6:30, 

Mashed potato, turnip, carrots, peas, gravy, coleslaw, pickles, rolls, tea, coffee, juice. Cake for dessert. Adults $12; children 5-12 $6; under 5 free. 

Books, fancy work and bake tables.

Saturday, November 9,

Turkey Supper, 

Epworth United Church, New Germany,  

4- 6 p.m. 

Adults $12, children under 12 $5 and under 5 Free.