Cape Broyle surprise

Friday there were two mixed forecasts for Saturday.  One was for drizzle and rain showers; the other for cloudy skies.  I suggested making a decision Saturday morning.  In the morning Brian suggested Cape Broyle as we had not been there in a while.

Brian, Cathy, Clyde, Dean, Roy, Sue, Terry and I drove to Cape Broyle and as we arrived our eyes just popped out our heads with the size of icebergs at the head of the bay.

The paddle in Cape Broyle followed the usual recipe when we paddle there.  The first stop was to check out the falls where Horsechops River tumbles into the sea.

Then it was east until we reached the Narrows, the narrowest point in the harbour where we crossed to the south side.

We paddled between seastacks and the shore and ...

... under dominating cliffs with waterfalls and ...

... the signature seastack in Lance Cove where we stopped for a bite to eat as it was 12:30, all the while with the icebergs on our minds.

Back in the boats we paddled further east out the harbour where several bergs floated on the water, here framed between a rock and the cliff.

Dean and I paddled closer to shore and checked out this smaller berg first before I ..

... paddled out to the main attraction.  This berg was huge with four towers (three visible in this shot) all joined to a base underwater.

I was joined by Cathy, Clyde, Roy and Terry.

I paddled around the iceberg which showed a different face and on the right, the shorter fourth tower.

We hung out for a while before Cathy, Clyde and I were the last to head back to the takeout.  With the boats loaded on the cars and the wet gear stowed, the eight of us had a bite to eat at the restaurant before leaving for home..

I did not expect to see an iceberg when I left town.  I knew there were many, many off of our shores and with the recent northerly winds there will be dozens to to visit this year as can be seen on this ...

... Environment Canada chart of icebergs in iceberg alley.

The best-laid plans of mice and men did go awry

Brian, Clyde, Dean, Sue and I met at the Irving gas station on the Trans Canada Highway at 9:00 to begin our ride to Avondale to begin our paddle.  Dean remarked he wasn't sure if he still knew how to paddle as its been a while.  The next thing he said was he was sure he didn't know ... he had left his drysuit at home!  As Clyde rode with Dean they left to pick it up and paddle closer to home.

Three kayaks remained and Brian, Sue and I put into the cove that was skimmed over with 2 - 3 mm thick ice

Crunching through the ice we were in calm water and making our way along ...

... the shore towards Salmon Cove Point.

Six kilometers later we were at Salmon Cove Point where the calm of the inner harbour turned choppy and swell crashing on the point.

We rounded the point, left Gasters Bay and checked the sea surging through the slot at the point from the other side.  It was a no go zone today.

We carried on into Harbour Main under imposing sedimentary rocks of the Conception Group where we ...

... stopped for a break at the local swimming hole before retracing our way to Salmon Cove Point.  Around the point and facing southwest we were met by a 20 km/hr breeze all 6 kilometers back to the take out in Avondale.

Dean and Clyde did paddle at St. Philips while Brian, Sue and I also had a great day on the water.

First paddle of spring

A week into spring and we had our first paddle.  It was warm, 10 C, but the vestiges of winter clung on along the shore.  I joined Brian, Cathy, Gary and Sue for a ease back paddle to Topsail Beach.

Brian said he had not paddled since last November.  None of us have paddled much this winter as the appeal of winter paddling seems to have worn off.  I've only had two winter paddles this year whereas several years ago Dean and myself paddle pretty much every weekend.

Cathy paddling around the Rock of Ages.

We were off to Topsail Beach and the return would net us 13 kms.  That was a comfortable paddle to get us going for the rest of the year.

The water was still cold but the air was spring like.  Usually this time of year I'm still wearing my neoprene mitts as protection from the cold.  On this day they weren't needed as the sun kept my black paddle shaft nice and warm.

The closer we got to Topsail Beach the breeze increased slightly as we picked our way around and through the rocks and ...

... checked icefalls along the way.

Hoards of people were at Topsail Beach also taking advantage of the weather.  We landed but on the other side of the stream running out of the pond behind the beach so we had that part to ourselves.  Nestled behind a cobble bank shielding us from the slight breeze some of us snacked before making the return journey and completing our first spring paddle.

Bluebird day return

Well, its been such a windy winter that we haven't been able to get out since the end of January.  So I've had to get my outdoor fix by ...

... Snowbiking on my fatbike.  Today was a bluebird day and I finally managed to get out for a short paddle.  I arrived at the put-in with lots of ice ...

... to hinder my launch.  To my surprise my friend Hazen was across the boat basin and got a shot of me getting ready to launch.

Gobs of ice clung to the wharf works and after a quick chat with Hazen ...

... I was on my way, captured by Hazen.

Lots of icicles!  It was just below freezing.

Ice on the rocks testifies to the strength of the winds.  Spray from the waves were pushed high by the wind while the rising and falling tide nibbled at the ice at the water line.

Capped like a mushroom!

Squinting into the sun on the return through my favourite channel at Sailing Point and back at the take-out ...

... it was time to wash the salt off in the fresh river water.  Refreshing!

Spring is on the horizon and with some luck we'll have better luck with the wind.  I live in hope!

Return of Gullfeather

In January 2011 Stan and I took winter kayaking to a new level.  Granted others had paddled winter time but not consistently over the whole winter.  For a variety of reasons we hadn't paddled together for quite some time.  Today, we re-established the connection.  We, along with Cathy and Dean put-in at Tors Cove.

We decided to make for Great Island on our way to the resettled community of LaManche.  Cathy in foreground, so to speak, and Stan, in his kayak "Gullfeather".  It was an open water crossing to the island directly over their heads

It was cloudy and -5C with the wind chill but I believe it was colder than the weather forecast promised.  The sun tried its best to penetrate the clouds but still brightened up the sea ahead.

Arriving at Great Island.

Some recent warm weather and rain took away a lot of the snow but not the cascade of ice.

Stan!

We decided to head for the mainland shore but not before Cathy suggested we should paddle around this seastack and rocks.  Turns out it was a great idea and a first time through we had not noticed before.  A first time is always memorable.

Back on the main shoreline we poked into this deep cleft in the cliffs.

We reached the resettled community of LaManche and its signature suspension bridge of the East Coat Trail.  A quick stop to answer the call of nature and a quick snack and we were on our way back to Tors Cove.

It was cold, just sayin'!  We were chilled and our hands were cold but they soon warmed up wrapped around a bowl of hot chili or, in my case, a bowl of spicy Thai soup.  And a hot covfefe of course!  It was an awesome day with a little chop.  Thanks to Cathy, Dean and Stan.

The fall from hell

All of November was nothing but wind that has kept us on shore.  Finally, today, December 2nd the weather cooperated to let us get on the water.  Seven of us met for a short paddle.

Winds were light but swell from the exiting low pressure persisted to give us a bit of action.  Here Dean waits for his opportunity to get through the G-Spot.

Two dots on the horizon evaluate the situation before passing through the gap.

Shane leading the way.

I can't remember the last time I paddled with Dean but I was happy to see him today.  Several years ago we paddled every weekend throughout the winter.

Many burley men weren't out paddling today but the diminutive Sue was.  Never judge a book by its size!

Paddling by impressive cliffs.

Nearing the turn around point.

Three weeks left in the fall season.  After the previous nine  think we've earned a reprieve and are due an easy ride into winter.  We live in hope!