Leaving for Newfoundland

The Long Drive

Its a 936 mile drive to North Sydney, Nova Scotia from our canoe base in Sunderland, Vermont. It will take us two days, driving east across Vermont and New Hampshire and into Maine at the coast. From there we will head north to the Canadian border and head into New Brunswick before the final leg into Nova Scotia, past Cape Breton, and to the ferry port of North Sydney. Then it will be a five hour crossing to Port aux Basque in Newfoundland.




Carolyn and me are up at 6am at leave the base at 7am in a hired van with a double roof-rack loaded with five canoes. Inside we have all the gear necessary for our canoeing and hiking holiday in Newfoundland. When we get there we will rendezvous with our four guests, but that is in two days time.

The first part of the ride is a nostalgia trip for me as I rode through New England, over the Green and the White Mountains and into Maine on a bicycle many years ago. We are not following the same route of course as I would have been riding the minor roads. I like seeing the familiar names of places as we pass through.



At Freeport in Maine we pull off the Interstate to drop by Day’s Lobster and Crabmeat Takeout for lunch. It is Maine so we obviously select to have Lobster for lunch. We sit outside in the sun at a picnic table overlooking a muddy inlet.  Then it’s back on the road past Bangor, as far north as I got on my bike trip, and into the wilder wastes of northern Maine. This is new territory for me.

We make one more stop when we pull over at a viewpoint to look at Mount Katahdin. This is the highest mountain in Maine and the end-point of the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately the weather is overcast and we cannot see it. The interstate is now passing though pine country. Mile upon mile of pines. From time to time we see road signs that say ‘Moose Next 20 Miles’, or ‘Moose Next 25 Miles’. But we see no Moose.

In an hour or so we reach the border crossing. It is inevitable that we are pulled over and we have to go into the office and wait half an hour to be processed. It’s not too bad and we are soon on our way into Canada. Once again it is mile after mile of pine trees, except now its kilometres instead. The signs read ‘Moose Next 40 Km’ or ‘Moose Next 25 Km’ but we still see no Moose. What we do see in ingenious Moose fences which are designed to be one-way only. The Moose can get into the forest from the road-side but not out of the forest onto the road. It begs the question then of how a Moose could get on the road in the first place. More astonishingly we see tunnels under the highway which are large enough for Moose to pass through. These must be at least 2 or 3m in diameter. In the UK we might put tiny tunnels under the road for frogs to pass through. Its a big difference.

After about 500 miles we pull off the road at Monckton and find a hotel. The only room they have left is ‘Harry Potter’ themed. We take it. I get the bunk-bed and am amused to be sleeping with a Wand, a Quidditch stick, a Sorting Hat and an Owl in a cage. Luckily the owl is not real. I think I will sleep easy. For dinner we stumble across the parking-lot to find a restaurant which is themed in the style of a Ship Museum. I don't know how many miles we are from the sea but it must be quite a way. The fish and chips are quite good though, and the beer is welcome.

The next morning we have a brisk breakfast and are back on the road by 7am. After 50 km we cross into Nova Scotia. Once again it is an endless view of pines and signs that warn of Moose. We see no Moose. The last part of the journey is past Cape Breton. I am astonished to see road signs in English and Gaelic. Eventually we roll into North Sydney at abut 1.30pm.



Our boat is due to leave at 3.30pm but it doesn't depart until 4.30pm. We while away the time by having a greasy lunch. Once we are on board we change our watches to Newfoundland time, which is 5pm. It’s the only place in the world on a half-hour time-zone.

On board it's as dull as any other ferry crossing. Its grey and bleak outside so we just doze and sleep in the lounge. We miss the last dinner call and have to make do with a sandwich. We dock at 10pm just as the sun is going down and have a mere five minute drive to our B&B. The check-in goes without any fuss and we crash-out. Finally we are in Newfoundland.

Sunrise at Enchanted Rock

This Time Last year

I get up really early and hike up Enchanted rock in the dark for the sunrise. It's worth it too. spectacular scenes. Great shots. On the way down I cross a herd of deer. no shots of these though - ay least no decent ones.



I'm back in camp by 8am. I get everything packed and then read until Debs and sacha arrive about 11am. We go for a hike up to frog Pond amd Turkey Pass before returning via Sandy Creek. Very pleasant. We have a picnic lunch under the trees before driving back to Austin. On the way we drop into Hamilton Pond but it has a "no dogs" policy so we move on.



My log is petering out now as I've come to the end of my camping trips in the Texas Hill Country.

Roadrunner at Enchanted Rock

This Time Last year

Slept late in my damp tent and got up just before 9am, Luckily it's a fine and sunny morning so I get everything out to dry in the sun. I spend all morning doing this.



Go for a walk in the afternoon up to Frog Pond and spend sometime shooting dragonflies. Try to take some in-flight shots too. Tricky. I continue the walk through Turkey Pass and back through Echo Canyon. I see a Roadrunner! Then I return to camp and read for the rest of the afternoon.



In the evening I again go for a sunset walk. The light is a bit better tonight. I shoot some rock shapes and hoodoos.

Back at camp at 8.30pm for dinner and drinks.

Rain infiltrates the tent

Gallery

I take my materials up to Hof ter Saksen but no one is around.

Garden

Do some weeding. Notice that both the cherries are beginning to blossom. Many of the tulips are beginning to show too.

This Time Last year

Up at 8am but it's cloudy and drizzly. I start a walk just after 10am and go up to Frog Pond. I shoot a couple of new butterflies; Phaon Crescent and a Bordered Patch. The wind makes it hard to photograph the dragonflies though.



I spend the afternoon reading again and then go out to a look-out point for a sunset walk. Again the light is disappointing. I do get a couple of shots of the weird rocks shapes (Hoodies!) when the sun does break through.



I return to the camp via Moss Pond and past a rock with a hole. I go to bed just as a storm comes over and I watch lightning flash over the rock. It rains in the night and I wake up at 3.30am as I can feel the ground sheet getting wet beneath me. I make the best of it and after making sure everything was packed away I try to sleep as best I can

Crescent Moon over Enchanted Rock

Gallery

Finish doing the 45x45cm prints and the material for the menu too.

This Time Last Year

I'm up early but it's a cloudy morning so I don't start my walk until 10am. I walk the whole loop trail including the Walnut Springs part. When I get around to Sandy Creek I follow the small stream and get some damselfly shots. Some new ones too.



I'm back for lunch and I spend the afternoon reading.



At 6.30pm I go for a walk up the Enchanted Rock itself. The sunset is disappointing but I do get some shots of the Vernal Ponds up there. These only have water in the spring and autumn. I meet Neil and Scott from the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, which is based in Missoula, Montana.

I have supper by the fire and watch a beautiful crescent moon before retiring.

Meteor over Guadeloupe River State Park

Gallery

Yesterday I was asked by the Hof ter Saksen staff to prepare 6 45x45cm prints of Butterflies to be made into puzzles. They are having a kids event towards the end of May. I also prepared 7 sheets which I hope can be inserted into the menu at the Hof ter Saksen Cafe. Five of these describe the Butterflies and Dragonflies that can be found there and two are advertising for my prints. Sounds fair to me.

Garden

Everything is coming on fine. The Almond and Blackthorn are in blossom and the Plum and Peach will soon follow. Still a good show of Daffodils and the Tulips are almost ready. Also plenty of Hyacinth and Grape Hyacinth.

This Time Last Year

Wake up to drizzle and get everything packed in time for Debs arrival about 10am.

We drive into Bourne and find a place for a pancake breakfast. We then drive through Fredericksberg to Enchanted Rock State Park and get checked in after some difficulty with the computer. I set upvcamp and then we go for a walk on one of the trails in the park. We go on the "Loop Trail" past Moss Lake, where Sacha has a swim, and back through Echo Canyon.



We then drove back to Fredericksberg to get some supplies and for a drink at the Silver Creek. Back at camp we have dinner and wine before Debs leaves about 8pm. I sit under the stars until I retire.

This Time Last Year Yesterday

Up early and on the road by 6am. I sneak into Honey Creek State Natural area ... you are only supposed to go in with a Ranger! I arrive before the sun has reached the creek itself. I watch a raccoon bathe itself, but it's too far away for a shot. As the light comes I take plenty of shots.



I then sneak back out to the entrance and join Craig's Birdwatching Group at 8.20am. We do see a few birds including a Sapsucker and a White-cheeked Vireole. I also shoot a few dragonflies. The Ranger also lets us leave the trail to take shots - also not allowed.



Back at camp I have a quick sandwich and then a shower before relaxing and reading all afternoon.



Build a fire and BBQ later and finish off the wine. Whilst watching the embers die I see a meteor fall across the clear night sky. Seems to land fairly close too. Amazing.

At Honey Creek State Natural Area

Garden

Do some more seed planing; both in pots and in the garden. Go for a walk to Hof Ter Saksen in the afternoon and bump into one of Kristine's sisters. Take a few shots of Magnolias.

This Time Last year

Busy day. Up early for the guided 9am walk to Homey Creek State Natural Area. Too many people and too many kids but still very enjoyable. Shoot a couple of butterflies and dragonflies and views of the creek too.

I get a reide back to camp and only have a hours rest before I'm down at the Interpretation Centre for Butterfly Workshop with Craig, a local Ranger. He does a talk for about an hour and then it's back up to Honey Creek to see what we can see.

We have a wild time trying to net some butterflies. I see a Californian Sister but can't manage to get a shot. I do get a shot of a Goatweed Leaf and plenty of dragonflies and damselflies.



I'm back at camp around 4pm. I laze and read. I go for another walk and have dinner.



In the evening I go down to the amphitheatre where Craig is giving a talk on Owls. After a 40 minute talk we walk in the dusk to listen for owls. But we hear nothing.



After that I spend an hour with Craig trying to ID the butterfly shots I took today.

Arrive at Guadeloupe River State Park

This Time Last year

Got up early and got everything packed. Then it began to rain, but Debs arrived just in time. We go into "historic" Bastrop and find a great cafe for a huge breakfast.

Then it's back to Bastrop SP to take the scenic drive to Buecaher SP. Very nice too but the park is full! We then drive the short distance to Smithville and walk around a little. The museum is closed thoughh bt I do see a couple of Union Pacific engines in the the rail yard. This used to be a big UP Depot.

We call a few more local Sp's but they are also full. We stop for a coffee at San Marcos/ We then dribve to Guadeloups River SP and they can squeeze me in. We go for a walk and a picnic. After setting up we drive out to HEB (A supermarket) for supplies.

We sit around the fire and have dinner and Debs leaves me to the wine at abpout 8.30pm.

Wild Turkey

Garden

Tidied up some frost damage and planted some annuals. Cleaned pots from Geraniums I lost over the winter! Sat in the garden reading later in the afternoon.

Gallery

Nothing today. Some A3+ paper and inks arrived in the mail.

This Time Last Year

Up at 7am and on the trail by 8am. I walked all the inner trails through the park, but was back by 10am. I saw the lake but it was quite a sad affair!

Later I went walking in the forest and saw some deer and a wild turkey - a first! The weather is a bit gloomy today but the sun breaks out later.



In the afternoon I finish reading "The Pearl" and start "The Inheritance of Loss".

In the evening I have the usual BBQ and some more of the Sloe Gin Sling. I watch the fire til bedtime.

Coral Snake and Sloe Gin Sling

Garden

Lovely warm day today. Did a few tidying jobs and then planted some seeds for the flower baskets. Petunias as usual. Also planted some herb seeds; Coriander and Basil. Never seem to have much luck with Basil and will have to try something new ... but what?

Gallery

Nothing much today except I sent away some documents to be translated into Dutch.

This Time Last Year

Slept late and pottered around until the Ranger came around to ask if I'd paid. I hadn't. We'd arrived too late yesterday. He gave me a lift out to the entrance office and I walked back.

About 10ish I set out on the Lonely Pines trail and it turned out to be a long walk as I didn;t get back until 3pm. almost the first thing I see is a Coral snake. "Red besides yellow poisonous fellow" is the rhyme to help one distinguish this snake from the Garter Snake which is also banded in red/black/yellow. I managed to get a few shots but stayed away!



Later I saw a few butterflies, mostly dark skippers and satyrs ... but also a Goatweed Leaf mimic. I also saw several types of dragonflies and spent some time trying to get shots of them. It was a long slow walk and I didn't meet anyone else on the trail. I must have broken a million spider's webs.



Back at camp I had a late lunch and then a shower. after that I start to read "The Pearl" and with the evening BBQ I make myself a Sloe Gin Sling ... left over from the w/e. I crash out early as I'm tired from the walk.

Bastrop State Park

Gallery

Mount and label the prints I did yesterday and do 8 more prints and then mount and label those too. Order some more mattes and backing boards plus more ink and paper.

Garden

Didn't do much today ... but put down netting over the wild garden seed beds to keep off the cats. Filthy sods.

This Time Last year

Up early at 7am, but not as early as Debs who had to start work at 5am. Crazy!

Sat around drinking coffee and work on the PC. Trying to ID the butterflies I've shot so far. At noon I take Sacha for a walk up the golf course but it's a bit dull and we are back by 1pm. Later I watch ManU against Roma in the quarter final first-leg of the CL. We win 2-0.

Debs comes home from work and we head off to Bastrop State Park just outside of Austin arriving about 5pm. After setting up camp we go for a walk in the Loblolly Pine woods. Back at camp we start a fire and grill, whilst drinking a glass of red wine.

Debs leaves about 8pm and will return on Friday to pick me up.

Rhubard and no custard

Gallery

My new printer arrived today. An Epson 2880 which prints up to A3+ size. Tried it out this afternoon and made 10 prints for the sale. Also a Graflite arrived which will allow me to examine prints in the the proper neutral light.

Garden

Another frost this morning! But it was pretty light and the day turned out very warm. Saw a butterfly too ... a Comma. Nextdoor neighbours also gave me 3 rhubarb plants which I dug in with plenty of compost ... I planted them next to the big compost heap anyway. More flowers coming through ... and the Almond is on the verge of blossom. Cut some Daffodils for the table.

This Time Last Year

Got up at 8am and mooched around on the PC. Walked up to Central Market with Sacha but could find no English papers. Managed to find Shoal Creek and followed it all the way to town. Sacha had a couple of swims along the way and I had a friendly chat with some of the bums that hang out there.

At Book People I managed to find a week old Observer and so had lunch at Wholefoods and read the paper for an hour. We then continued down to Town Lake where Sacha had a swim by the Wisterias. Eventually we wandered around to Uncle Billies for a pint or two and Debs arrived around 5pm to pick us up and take us home.

Sat on the stoop chatting until bedtime.

Paddling Town Lake in Austin

Gallery

Amazing thing happened today. Kristine and I walked up to Hof ter Saksen this afternoon and as we came around the corner at the entrance gates Kristine bent down and picked somethng up. It was a part from my tripod which I had lost on the same walk two weeks ago. It made me smile. Later on when I tried to take a few photographs I found that I hadn't brought a memory card! Dumb!

This Time Last year

Up early to shower and shave and then Deb drives me into town - Shady Grove - for I am to meet Jennifer at noon.

She is already there - having driven up from Houston - and we spend a couple of hours chatting and drinking and eating as we catch up on what we've been doing since last June. We had met on a canoeing trip in the Dordogne last summer.



Afterwards we walk down to Barton Springs and the river where we hire a canoe and paddle down to Town Lake and back. I paddle, we chat, she wears a pink coat.

Then it's back up to Uncle Billies for a beer and we drive up to the University of Texas campus and find the Crown and anchor pub for a final beer. It's seven and a half hours later now. Exhausting.

I walk back home, via an ice-cream at Amy's and jennifer has to drive all the back to Houston.

In the evening we drink whisky into the small hours with William. The conversation gets heated. It's all too much.

Blue Hole re-visited

Gallery

Prepare shots for sale for a catalogue book

This Time Last Year

Up early and packed by the time Debs arrived. We load up the car and then drive around to the Falls so that Sacha can have a walk and a swim.



We drop into the Texas Hill Country Vineyard but they are so offhand and rude that we leave. It's then onto the Woolmer Winery which is very different. We try the tasting menu and pick out two deliciously perfumed whites.

After that we drive into Fredericksberg and have lunch at the Silver Creek.



On the way home we re-visit the Blue Hole and Wimberly. It's 15 years since I camped here with Nathan and Kristian. The place is now closed and looks a bit forlorn. The river and bankside trees still look fine though and we here that the village is going to restore the camp-ground and re-open sometime. I hope so. It was a lovely spot and I remember clearly swinging out over the river on ropes suspended from the trees and dropping into the cold water on a hot Texan day.

back in austin we stay up chatting until bed-time.

Twisted Tree Roots

IKEA

What can I say? Kristine wanted to go and no use my explaining you can choose and buy all this stuff on the internet. A deadening experience which was only ameliorated by going to a smart sushi restaurant afterwards. That's the budget gone for next month then.

This Time Last Year

Up at 8 for breakfast. Again it's cool and cloudy. I hit the road by 9.30am and take the park road which leads to the Falls themselves. On the way I pass the Bird Blind and check it out. I see Cotton Rats, Cardinals, Hummingburds, House Finches, Blue Jays, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Howpee and Goldfinch. As well as a squirrel!



Then it's down to the Falls which are spectacular. I spend a lot of time scrambling about and taking photographs. I stop for some trailmix and an orange and then decide to hike along the river bank back to camp. It's a long hot bushwack that seems to take an age. I take plenty of shots of twisted tree roots along the way.

I get back to camp around 3pm and nap and then shower. I then return to the river to read until 5pm. I;m back in camp to light a fire bout 7pm and eat the last of the chicken. I watch the fire die down til 10pm. My latest night!

Along the Wolf Trail

Gallery

Did 10 more prints today and mounted them.

This Time Last Year

Had a bit of a lie in today as the day started cloudy. Visited by Crested-Tits, a Blue Jay and a couple of cardinals at breakfast time.

Hiked out to find the Wolf Trail and followed it towards the Primitive campsites. Nobody was there. I rested at the bluffs overlooking the river before walking on to Jone's spring whre I shot a couple of dragonflies and a Hairstreak. Finally the sun comes out and it gets very hot.



I decide to bushwack a little and follow a small creek (Mercal Creek) down to the main river. I then follow the river back to camp and arrive about 2.30pm. I rest and then shower and spend the afternoon reading. I'm in bed by 8pm!

Moon over the Pedernales River

Lego Pirates and Rockets

Stayed at home with two of Dhar's boys; alexandre and Charles. Spent much of the building and then playing with Lego Pirates. We also watched a couple of episodes of "From the Earth to the Moon" about the Apollo Space program.

This Time Last Year

Woke at 7am and walked down to the river. Photographeed the moon over the river and then walked upstrea,. Waited an age for the sun to reach me and photographed some old trees. Walked back to the tent along the Group Camp Road. Back at camp by 10am for breakfast.

Lazed around til midday.

Walked down to the river with a chair to while away the afternoon. Helped a father and his two sos find the ford so they could cross the river on their bikes.

Found a nice spot to read "The Secret Life of Bees" and cooled off in the river from time to time.



Back in camp at 5pm and just mosied around. Started reading "The Anatomy of Peace". Lit the fire at 7pm.

Debs and Alex arrived at 7.30pm and brought with them a supper of Chicken and salad and wine. Chatted for a while and then took sacha down to the river for a runabout and a swim. They left at 9pm and I watched the fire die down before crashing out.

Chasing Pipevine Swallowtails

This Time Last Year

Up at 7am for a morning walk down to the Pedernales River. The moon is up over a misty sunrise. I take plenty of shots.

I then walk downstream to the edge of the park and see plenty of butterflies; especially Pipevine and Thoas Swallowtails. Also many Red Admirals about. In the river itself I can clearly see some huge fish. I think they are Bass.



I arrived back in camp at about 1pm and had a nap for a couple of hours before going out on another hike. Many butterflies about and a few dragonflies too.

Back in camp about 6pm for another BBQ supper. Watched the fire die down and retired to bed.

Arrive at Pedernales Falls State Park

Photography

Spent an hour or so hinging mayyes today in preperation for prints. Run off a few prints too, but really happy with them. Do I buy a new printer or use a Lab?

Garden

No work in the garden as it was rainy and windy. Can still see plenty of new things coming though though.

This Time Last Year

Up early and ready and packed for a camping trip. Drove out to Pedernales Falls State Park via Johnson City. Arrived about 3.30pm after doing a grocery shop. I set up camp and then went for a walk down to the river with Deb and Sacha. The dog is crazy for swimming and we spent some time trying to teach her to fetch a stick. Not bad.

Back at camp I lit a fire; we bought wood and firelighters from the camp-host.

Deb and Sacha leave about 7.30pm. I get a BBQ going and cook a couple of sausages for supper. I then watch the fire burn down before crashing out.

Botanical Gardens

More Planting

It feels colder today even though the sun is still shining.

Kristine does plenty of spring-cleaning and I do a few more jobs in the garden. I'm still working on the Ireland photographs too.

This Time Last Year

Up at 8 or so. Suzanne packs ready to leave and we take her to the airport. Usual sad farewells.

We go back home to pick up Sacha and then go down to the Botanic gardens in Zilker Park. We walk around and find a nice red dog-lead. Alex and Paige come down to meet us.

After walking along the river we cross over again for another visit to Uncle Billies for a beer. After that we go to Amy's for an ice-cream.

We spend the evening chatting over a couple of glasses of wine. Early night.