What a great day for a walk! Crisp (maybe a teeny bit too cool) clear and sunny. Beautiful echoing sounds of the waves come rolling in, giving you a sense of power and might. Love it. Especially days when you are standing a top one of the bigger boulders, cast down from the cliff faces long ago, just high enough not to be plastered by spray of the waves. Exhilarating. I never know what the tide is going to be, high or low, as I can’t seem to catch the drift of it. All I know is that the shore took a beating this past winter as many of the rocks have shifted and portions of the cliffs have fallen, creating new rock piles for me to get a foothold on. More rock then sand in many parts. Note to self, always have tread on shoes…just saying. Face plant is not my favourite thing.
But this morning’s walk!! Well, I couldn’t believe my eyes as I saw three lobster boats out and about. (At least I think they are lobster fishermen). I know I heard a different kind of rumbling echo sound walking down the road today but did not connect the dots. It always amazes me how in tune my ears and eyes are…so the boats are out. Tis the season or not? There has been quite a bit of back and forth in their association and government talks as to when the season would be happening or if at all for at least the spring. Not an easy decision in light of the current situation of COVID-19. However seeing these boats out caught me by surprise because the buoys have not even been placed to mark the path. These boat drivers must know their water. Take ‘er easy.
But, I knew the season was coming soon (April 30/May 1st usually) because this past weekend, there was a hubbub of activity down by our harbour, the traps all stacked 4 deep along the pier, boats line the side of the wharf, and trucks are everywhere. It’s a sight to behold when these big trucks pull the lobster boats behind them, taking up quite a bit of the road – ROAD HOGS. Just kidding. But you do get a respect for the island culture, first hand, as the island roads are now dotted with fishing boats being towed to their home on the water. And I am sure like the wharf activity near me this weekend, the lobster guys (no females here – not sure why not) are cleaning their boats, setting up gear and supplies, and opening up their jellybean-coloured buildings (or huts) to be organized. Hopefully airing them out as well for I can only imagine that oh so pleasant fishy aroma permeating the nostrils – yum (NOT).
I get a chuckle each time I go by the boats as I read the unusual names written on their bow or stern of the boats. How they arrive on their names not sure but you kind of smile when you read Shirleyknot, Knotinarush, Knot4sail, Rock Bottom, Lobstah Tail, Whatthehaul, Christopher Robin II, and Fishin’ Impossible. Whatever the boat is called, man the decks boys tis the season of lobster. It is hard work and they put in long days even though the season is not long here. But they go out into some crazy weather, especially between the harbour, the channel to navigate their way out to sea and back. Sometimes those waves great crazy crazy crazy.
But ahoy mates, here is to lobster fare. Yummy?? Lobster for you…not for me. I’ll pass. How in the ever loving world do I live on the island and not partake in the world class lobster plate? Or any kind of seafood platter? Really? Well that’s for me to know and… Not going to go into the intricacies of the why and why nots; suffice to say…my portion will always go to my grandson (or maybe my granddaughters too). He LOVES lobster right from when he was a babe. Island boy for sure. And his mom too as she cannot wait for Mother’s Day. Well lobsters with your snippy claws, you may be okay for now from the jaws of my grandson.
Let us pray for the fishermen as the season begins, be safe and healthy.
Let us also pray for the victims and families of those in Portipique NS and area.
Karenpondering 