Surf's Down !

In anticipation of today's "N'or Easter' Surf Contest" in Cow Bay, I originally thought the title of this post would be, "Surf's UP !".

At 9:30 a.m. this morning, I tootled over to "Flag Pond" where the event was to take place, worrying that I might not be able to find a spot in the parking lot as I'd heard there might be 100 entries.  Would I have to park on the shoulder of the road ? and if so, how far I might have to walk ?

But when I got there, the lone man in the parking lot who was loading his surf board into his car, informed me that the surf was not up to snuff and that everyone had headed over to Lawrencetown.

And so that is where Wendy and  I headed.

The day was overcast, but at 7 C (44F) it was milder than it has been in a very, very long time.

After this dismal, bitter, long winter, we Nova Scotians have very low standards when deciding what "mild" is. 

Upon arrival we parked in the almost-empty lot, then followed the boardwalk to scope out where everyone was.  

Most of them were near the base of that distant hill, where the best surf can usually be found. 

There we found a few intrepid surfers heading out in search of rideable waves.

Even though they wear "dry" suits that include coverings on their hands, I don't know how they can endure the winds on their just-dunked-in-ice-water faces !

The surfers wore different coloured T-shirts so that the judges up on the hill could tell who was who.  Sadly, the surf was disappointing and the hoped-for surfer numbers just didn't materialize.  The waves were "choppy" and short, which did not allow for very long rides, making it difficult for the surfers to show what they could do.

The judges have a marvellous view.

We walked up that hill, past the judges "tent", through a small grove of trees,

and along the edge of the cliff.

From there we could see Condrad Beach in the distance, and when we looked out to sea,

we spotted a lone surfer eschewing the contest for some time alone on the sea,  paddling out to catch a wave.

Can you see him ?

What a rush that must be !

We then turned and walked back down the hill, and along the cobbled beach, because it was time to head home, 

and take Trey for a walk into the woods.

A lighthouse, several Ovens, and some surf.

Across the harbour from the Fortress at Louisbourg, lies the Louisbourg lighthouse.   Pat and I checked it out the evening before we visited the Fortress,

This is the third lighthouse on this site.  The stonework ruins of the first tower still remain.  Completed in 1734, that lighthouse was badly damaged during the final siege of the Fortress in 1758.

Nearby, a scenic trail followed the chilly Atlantic shoreline.  We both wished for warmer weather and more time to explore it, but had to settle for just standing and staring...

... and telling each other, "next time ...".

We came across this stunning piece of graffiti  depicting the Fortress across the harbour, painted on a rock cut on the lighthouse road.  

Once back in the Passage, we went to nearby Flag Pond, to explore the cobble beach and check out the surfing beach.

It was still chilly, so we had to bundle up.  As the Atlantic is never warm, the surfers did too.

We couldn't believe that in mid-June we had to open up my winter duds storage box, and find some gloves to wear !  In the photo below, you can see Pat wearing gloves, as she makes a video of the beach and wave sounds.

Happily the sun did come out, and temperatures rose as we headed to "The Ovens", toward the end of Pat's stay.  Ovens, is another word for sea caves.

A beautiful trail follows the cliff edge.  The closer we got to the sea caves, the more nervous the dogs became.

I realized that the water crashing into the caves, was creating a deep thrumming sound like thunder, sometimes right beneath our feet, and that was what was unsettling the dogs.

We took turns going down into this cave: one of us staying behind with the dogs.

I was unable to take a photo that did justice to the beauty of that cave, and I was frustrated to find that I could NOT figure out how to make my new-to-me camera, take a video.

The surf would pound into the narrowing cave and there would be a huge reverberation, as the volume of water wasn't able to get through the opening at the back of the cave, bouncing back out with a BOOM! and a cloud of mist.

What a spectacular location !    

I would definitely recommend it to any visitors to this lovely province.  Heck, I'd be happy to escort them there.

By the way,

when are you coming ?