Most Popular Post

Monday, 8 May 2017

Shifting sands

Sunny and 10 degrees C. Time for a picnic and a walk on the beach.  We don't need a reason just the weather. After all, it only takes a few minutes to steep some tea and make a sandwich. My husband always has homemade bread rolls ready. Brackley Beach in the national park on Prince Edward Island was our destination.


We took the back roads, though the main highways on the island aren't all that busy at  any time. Within the hour we arrived and quickly started for the beach. The sand dunes near the boardwalk had shifted over the past winter and sand covered a section of the boardwalk.


 


Park personnel are not out in full force yet.


It was one of those days; if you waited five minutes, the weather changed. The skies clouded over and it rained, cleared and repeated during our excursion. On occasion the skies looked ominous,


 


but the sun would break through and change the scene. 


 


Though it rained twice, both times were short lived and warm enough that we didn't mind.


The highest sand dunes we've seen thus far on the island are located here at Brackley. Some towered at least fifteen feet above the beach.


 


Waves and wind made for one of those days when the sound of the beach fills your senses and controls your thoughts. It wasn't cold but we zippered our jackets as we walked into the wind. 


During the winter,  the Gulf of St Lawrence cast ashore some buoys from traps set off-shore. 


 


They are on the upper part of the beach, far from the usual high tide mark. Stormy seas must have thrust them forth.


 


The waters around the island can be calm as to barely lap the shore. This day, the waves had crests and troughs, the crests breaking as they neared the shore. The white water sent a spray into the air, as the wind blew across the surface. 


 


Seaweed, a constant along the sandy beaches of the island, rested on the beach.


 


A huge log, at the base of the sand dunes, was partly covered by the shifting sand. 


 


It was a great place to sit and take in the scene on a beach which feels like it goes on forever. Several people in the distance are the only other humans.


 


Time for lunch.




28 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely setting for a picnic and walk. So glad it was warm enough that the rain did not bother you. I enjoyed the pictures very much. Have a nice new week.

Shammickite said...

Lucky you, to be by the sea. Regardless of the weather.

Anvilcloud said...

That's a lot of sand on the boardwalk in the first photo.

DJan said...

I could feel the wind and rain from your description, Marie. And I bet you had to wash off that salt spray later! Thanks for the great beach adventure and taking me along. :-)

Tabor said...

Lots of wave energy in that first photo! Amazing what that ocean can do.

Anonymous said...

Seashores are beautiful and the water mighty! Andrea

PerthDailyPhoto said...

The perfect way to spend the morning Marie, and all for free.. brilliant!

Bill said...

It's great to live near the water. Lots of sights, sounds and very peaceful. Wonderful images..

Debbie said...

ooooh it's just so pretty there. we have lot's of picnic's on the beach as well - it just seems like the perfect place!!

a pretty piece of drift wood, i wouldn't mind having that in my garden!! have a happy monday!!

Down by the sea said...

What a wonderful place for a picnic, it was lovely seeing how the scene changed with the weather. Sarah x

Elephant's Child said...

Oooh. And ahhh.
Thank you. It is too long since I have seen, smelt, heard, felt the sea.

Marie Smith said...

It was a great day at the beach, Mildred.

Marie Smith said...

We are never far from the sea on this little island, Shammickite.

Marie Smith said...

It wa surprising to see the sand there, AC.

Marie Smith said...

It was an interesting day weatherwise, Jan. You never let the weather stop you and it inspires me.

Marie Smith said...

It truly is, Tabor. The erosion alone is incredible to see every year. The dunes are so important!

The Happy Whisk said...

Whoa. Great pictures.

Marie Smith said...

My favourite place is a seashore, Andrea.

Marie Smith said...

All you have to do it go, PDP. It is brilliant!

Marie Smith said...

It was wonderful to get back to the sea again when we moved to this island. We had lived inland for so long, Bill.

Marie Smith said...

It was so big you'd need a crane to get that driftwood off the beach, Debbie.

Marie Smith said...

The light made all the difference to the scenery, Sarah.

Marie Smith said...

Time to get back to the sea, EC.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks, HW.

Mage said...

What a wonderful walk that was. Thanks so much for taking us along.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Delightful rugged landscape, perfect for a walk and to find things.

Marie Smith said...

It was invigorating, Mage.

Marie Smith said...

It is a great place for a walk, Judith.