Paving the bridge

A year ago, the old bridge on the shore road was finally torn down and replaced. The new little bridge turned out beautifully, but it was left unpaved with only gravel at each end. By the end of the winter, getting on and off the bridge was a challenge with the huge ruts left in the gravel. Soon anyone passing through would need a four-wheel drive to get across! Finally after a year, we can travel across as if we are floating ontop of the bridge. Now if we could get the rest of Chapel Cove Road repaired ...

Today on the webcams

What is it that when it's a bright and sunny day in Cape Breton, it makes one want to write and tell the world about it! It's not quite the warmest day so far this spring and I'm sure there's warmer days to come, but since I haven't written anything in a while, today's sunny day gave me a reason to post a shot of the webcams. We are now the 16th of June and if you look closely, you'll see that the leaves are still not fully opened on the shrubs. But no worry, soon enough, the trees and shrubs will be full and green and the breeze will be soft and warm. So be sure to check the webcams often to see the changes for yourself.

Although today the wind was a bit cool, it was a great day for drying the clothes on the line. I don't mean to sound negative, but one thing I despise is when the wind blows in just that certain direction and crazy way and the clothes on the line end up twisted and curled around the clothesline. Today is one of those days. Well the clothes did dry in no time and they do have that nice fresh spring scent...

Springtime

What a beautiful bright and sunny day we had today! The forecast called for 16 celcius, but here along the coast we were still pleased to get 10 celcius. The ice in the ponds has all melted away and looking around I can't see any snow anywhere, not even under the trees in the shade. It's definitely springtime. Soon enough the grass will turn green and once again the webcam will show the colourful scenery, of this little piece of paradise coming to life.

Last week while picking up some of the winter remnants of things that somehow made its way on my lawn, I spotted this newly growth of Tiger Lilies sprouting through the dead grass. That's what I enjoy about this time of the year, nature coming back to life!

On the webcam this morning

At 6:30am this morning, I was blessed with the most beautiful sunrise, a bright red and orange sky. My first thoughts were that's great, maybe Cape Beton will be spared from the snow and ice pellets that has been forecasted for today. But only minutes later, the sky turned dull. Looks like the weather folks might be right. For the last few days around here on the southeastern shore of Cape Breton we've been getting beautiful spring weather with temperatures of 7-10 celcius. Right now it's 0 celcius, windy and cloudy. Here is a clip of the text forecast from Evironment Canada for this area:

Sydney Metro and Cape Breton CountyRichmond County Inverness County - south of Mabou Victoria County. Snowfall warning in effect. Today.. Cloudy. Snow mixed with ice pellets beginning late this morning. Risk of freezing rain this afternoon. Snow and ice pellet amount 5 cm. Fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind east 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 1. Tonight.. Snow. Snow mixed with ice pellets early this evening. Snow and ice pellet amount 10 to 15 cm. Local blowing snow. Wind northeast40 km/h gusting to 60. Low minus 1. Tuesday.. Snow ending in the morning then clearing. Amount 2 cm. Wind northeast 40 km/h becoming north 20 in the afternoon. High plus 2.

Photo of the Week

Today's Photo of the Week on Cape Beton Living is a scenic shot of Chapel Cove Rd in L'Ardoise. The day was a bright and mild one, feeling the spring is in the air! One more week from today spring will be upon us once again. While up on the hill, in the fields where we can see miles all around, something else caught my eye besides this picturesque coastal view. Way out in the distance, a loud rumble was getting louder until this large helicopter came flying right over my head. Two Maritime air squadrons are in Cape Breton this week conducting joint training exercises. This is one of six CH-149 Cormorant helicopters that was training in Cape Breton on Wednesday March 11th. It's usually quiet in L'Ardoise, with only the sounds of the wind, seagulls and the passings cars and trucks, so seeing this monster helicopter circling in our skies, was something see.

Photo of the Week

The Photo of the Week on Cape Breton Living for March 6, 2009 is a wintry shot of a deer just off Chapel Cove Road in L'Ardoise. This wonderful photo was taken by Jamie Boulet of L'Ardoise. Many mornings I walked this road, have been for the last few years and only once have I seen a deer along the shore on this part of Chapel Cove Road. Another time, I did see a doe and her young from my front room window, walking down the path heading towards the shore. Deer tracks are visible in the sand on the beach and along the paths, so I know there are deer making their way along the shore and heading inland into the forest. I just never get the timing right as to getting a glimse of the beautiful animals when they happen to be passing through. Thank you Jamie for capturing this photo, it's a good thing you had your camera handy with you at the time!

The Rankin Family in Sydney

The Rankin Family is touring our vast country, starting in Penticton, British Columbia and working their way east. Jimmy Rankin, currently on tour with his sisters in support of their new album, These Are the Moments says “It’s nice to be out with my sisters again and the old band. We’re singing a bunch of new material and the show is sounding great and it’s fun.”

Last night, February 27th, they played at the Centre 200, to what I would say was a full house. The crowd was all fired up to welcome them back home to Cape Breton Island and the show, as always, was an energetic and lively time for everyone who had the good fortune of being there! I picked up their new CD "These Are the Moments". The CD has thirteen tracks, with nine new songs and four of their classic songs. Since I can never get enough of the Rankins, I listened to the CD on the way home from the concert in Sydney and enjoyed their presence as we travelled along the old Highway 4 all the way home.