Thursday, February 08, 2007

South Coast Musings


(Photos: White Bear Bay; Ramea by Alison Dyer)
february 8, 2007

Newfoundland’s South Coast is a place of almost mythical proportions. Fjords as long as memory, headlands with attitude, and surprising outports – remote communities that knit a narrow space between water and rock.

Back in the 80s, when the ferry still ran most of that coast, I visited the island of Ramea with a friend who grew up there. Jigged my first cod in White Bear Bay. It was huge. Then a few years ago I returned, this time to Burgeo, for a week-long kayak course. Around Burgeo I discovered a long kiss of white sand, a spray of islands, a kayaker’s delight. One day I’ll make it back for an extended paddling trip. For those interested, Kayak Newfoundland & Labrador has several good trip reports of this coast on its website, including one by instructor Richard Alexander, paddler/photographer Kevin Redmond, novice paddler Brian Newhook, as well as our trip report about further along the coast.

8 comments:

Douglas Wilcox said...

Hello Alison, These are loveley photos and I do like that spot on your trip link: Matchem Brook waterfall. In the UK a brook is a very little stream in comparison!

Alison Dyer said...

Hi Douglas - interesting, hadn't really thought of that before. But then in Newfoundland, we call a 'lake' a 'pond'. Maybe it's the opposite of the U.S. where everything is Bigger - here, we just say it's smaller :)

Michael said...

Alison, you temptress, you! Must you write such wonderful prose about such intriguing places, so out of reach in winter's midst? LOL Thanks for providing the links. All so enjoyable!

Alison Dyer said...

Such sweet words Michael :)
These days, with only the smell of chlorine on the neoprene, I'm beginning to wonder whether I dreamt it all! Tell me it's not so. How I envy Douglas and those who can paddle all year. Alison

Douglas Wilcox said...

Alison, This morning was dreadful, cold and wet. I had a full goretex jacket and trousers to take the dog a walk to get papers and rolls. Then at 12 I thought it looked a bit brighter. Managed a fantastic afternoon paddle down at Culzean Castle on the Clyde. Sorry!

KathyD said...

Hi Alison, I absolutely love the photo of the anchored boat through the doorframe. Thanks for bringing a piece of the Rock to Oakville, Ontario, Cheers, Kathy

KathyD said...

Hi Alison, I absolutely love the anchored boat through the doorframe. Thanks for bringing a piece of the Rock to Oakville, Ontario. Cheers, Kathy

Alison Dyer said...

Hi Kath - nice to read you online. Well, maybe have to get you a copy for your red-roofed place in N.Sc. Better yet, you and Gord have to come to the Rock & the south coast! A