A study of contrast - black rocks, white ice

Finally, after a two week, weather enforced hiatus, we were back on the water.  Clyde, Dean, Hazen, Neville and I met on a day of calm weather but cool.  It was cool enough though to freeze the fresh water floating on the heavier salt water.

We got underway under an overcast sky with light snow in the forecast.

I'm well behind of last year's pace but what can a person do?  I just have to accept the weather as it comes.  I wasn't the only person delighted to be paddling again.

We had winter early, then spring when all the snow disappeared, then some more snow that blanketed the black rocks ...

... and combined with some spectacular icicles provided a study in contrast.  The stark black rocks looked cold enough.  The snow and ice were visual evidence that my impression was well founded.

Neville with Bell Island still visible across the Tickle.  That would change with the arrival of snow.

It was a relaxed paddle scooting between ice draped cliffs and snow covered rocks.  A day without hurry.  A day to savour.

These 5 guys are our so-called "core camping group".  It just feels comfortable paddling with these guys.  We were glad to see Clyde after an extended period on shore.

As we approached Topsail Head we encountered the first snow flurries.

High tide was at 9:00 and was still sufficiently high enough at Topsail Beach to enable us to paddle up into the fresh water lagoon behind the cobble barachois.  It was the first time for me so a bit of a highlight.  Its these small things that make some paddles memorable.

So, in the lagoon we paddled up to get out for a snack under this bank that provided protection from the light breeze and increasingly falling snow.

After our short break we turned back under Topsail Head.  It began to snow more that, in all honesty, just added to the ambiance of the day.

The amount of snow falling is hard to tell from the pictures but it began to accumulate on my foredeck.  What started out as small snowflakes gradually grew to larger fluffy flakes.

The tide was falling; the rocks clearly showing the drop from the high water line.

We returned to the peaceful waters of the cove at St. Philips.  I really didn't want the paddle to end.  It wasn't what some might call a 'fairweather" day but it was such an enjoyable, relaxed day with a bit of snow to add to the atmosphere.

Yet, all good things have to come to an end.  In the end, a contented feeling that I had taken advantage of the day and formed more happy memories in my kayak.

We washed the salt off of our gear in the fresh water of the river, loaded our gear and boats and went for a coffee and chat.  Outside the snow continued to fall.  It didn't matter.