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Monday 25 July 2016

Beyond the Dunes

In the last six years, I've grown accustomed to beaches in Prince Edward Island. 

 
 
They are different from the beaches of my youth 

 

but the essentials are the same.

Growing up in Newfoundland, I spent time with my grandparents every summer in Maddox Cove. Their house was set back and up from the ocean with Motion Bay spread out before it. The breeze through the trees and the sound of the surf were constants.

My grandparents and Uncle France enjoyed my summer visits as much as I did. However, Nan was nervous when I was around the water. She warned me to stay away from the ocean because a tidal wave would come and take me. When the other children went swimming on the beach, I was to stay out of the water.

I didn't; I wasn't going to be the only one sat on the beach. Aided by my Uncle France, I swam as much as the other kids. There was little sand on that beach, mainly beach rocks, rounded by the wave action. The North Atlantic was bitterly cold, but after a few minutes in the water, you felt warm or numb. We didn't mind it, the fun distracted us. Besides, who would admit it was too cold to swim?

Today on Prince Edward Island, the dunes are different from the shoreline of Maddox Cove. Red sand replaces beach rocks. 

 
 
The water is warmer too; the Gulf of St. Lawrence is not as cold as the North Atlantic. These days I don't venture into the water; the years have washed away the desire to swim. In spite of the changes, my spirit recognizes the essence of the scene, prompted by the wind and the surf. A feeling of freedom pours forth, in sync with the ebb and flow of the tide and the breeze. It is good to be home. 

Come join me for a few seconds.





30 comments:

ADRIAN said...

I miss the sea. I don't think I'd want to live here though as it looks as if the land is hanging on by a thread or a metre at the most.

DJan said...

I love the sea. We moved from the center of the continent to be near the Pacific Ocean when we retired. It's a very special place on either side, Pacific or Atlantic. Wonderful pictures, Marie. :-)

Joanne Noragon said...

I've always been fascinated by the difference between our two oceans, and then specifically by the changes along the Atlantic. It is cold and rocky in Maine, and I can imagine it being more so further north.

Mage said...

Just lovely...thank you.

photowannabe said...

There is something so therapeutic about the sounds of waves in their steady rhythm.
You have a wonderful way with words.

Tabor said...

The ocean always provides a peaceful noise, I think.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Such a soothing sound from the waves washing up on the beach.

Elephant's Child said...

You have reminded me that it has been tooooooo long since I have seen (or heard) the sea. Way too long.
Our beaches are a different colour, but the magic is the same.

Marie Smith said...

Living near the sea these days can be risky due to erosion?

Marie Smith said...

the sea speaks to something primitive in us!

Marie Smith said...

The water is cold and the beach is often rocky in Newfoundland. PEI is very sandy and the south shore is warm in summer. The north shore is warm too compared to Newfoundland.

Marie Smith said...

You are welcome, Mage.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you! The sea is therapeutic.

Marie Smith said...

The rhythm is so relaxing I find.

Marie Smith said...

Soothing is a good description.

Marie Smith said...

Maybe you need a trip to the ocean sometime in the near future.

Anvilcloud said...

The only time that I have swum in the ocean was in PEI at a campground. Just remember the name: Stanhope.

Anonymous said...

Roaring surf...I haven't heard it in years. We lived near the ocean for many years, CA, FL, GA, SC and HI. I didn't know what it was likw to live away from the coast until I was in my thirties. Sometimes I miss it very much.

Shammickite said...

Oh my, as I was born and lived my childhood years within sight of the sea, and spent all my summers swimming on the beach, I miss the sea so much! Lakes just don't do it for me. I try to see the ocean somewhere in the world at least once a year, but haven't managed it so far in 2016. I know Maddox Cove, have been there and to Petty Harbour many times, I like the area and the views of the ocean.

Marie Smith said...

It is lovely there but we have so many nice beaches.

Marie Smith said...

I didn't live near the ocean during my working career. It was wonderful to move near the ocean again.

Marie Smith said...

My grandmother was from Petty Harbour. That area is part of my genetics I believe.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Looks like a place of such amazing serenity...

Marie Smith said...

It truly is!

Ginnie Hart said...

What wonderful memories, Marie, from your youth. I wonder if the big waters call all of us in one way or another throughout our lives, even when we aren't near them. I LOVE the water and feel at one with its ebb and flow...as well as the SOUND of it. Maybe it's the SOUND that most touches my soul.

Marie Smith said...

I think the ocean/water touches our pre-natal memories in utero. We feel at one with it.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

You were lucky to grow up near a body of water and learn to swim, my experience was in a pool of chlorine with other kids who didn't want to stick their head in the water either.
Swimming is not my favourite thing to do as an adult but give me a good chair near the waves and my mind is off wandering.

Emma Springfield said...

There is something so soothing about sitting at the edge of any body of water. A large lake and an ocean are the best. The rolling waves and the sound of the water are the most relaxing thing I can think of at the moment.

Marie Smith said...

I loved the water as a child. Now I'm with you on the beach.

Marie Smith said...

The sounds of the ocean are like music for the soul..