A walk in the sand at Cousins Shore

We hadn’t been to a beach recently and decided it was past time for a walk in the sand. We opted for Cousins Shore on the north central coast, about a half hour from home. It was a sunny day with a pleasant breeze keeping the mosquitos at bay, perfect for a walk. The sky had enough cloud to be moody.

Cousins Pond empties into the Gulf of St. Lawrence along this shore 

and a stream from the pond bisects the beach. 

We kept Georgie, the golden grand-dog on lead since several other dogs were off lead and Georgie is always anxious to run and make new friends. She was interested in the lone seagull which periodically waded in the stream. 

By late summer, small shorebirds love this place.

There is a sign warning of a strong undertow along this beach, so it’s not a place for swimming. The stream makes it a great area for kids to play however. Today the sea is rough with the advancing tide and its sound fills the air and the soul.

It looks wild and untamed as it crashes to the gentle shoreline.

The beach has small pieces of weathered driftwood and brown seaweed known as Fucus.

Huge sand dunes line this beach with Marram grass at their base and top.

The red sand beach stretches from deeper red sandstone cliffs east and west.

A few people walk the stretch of sand but this is not a beach frequented by many tourists. 

Soon the cottagers will be here for the summer though and more people will walk here, but not today. For now, the setting, sights, sounds and company make a perfect location for a walk and a picnic. 

Answers to question from a recent post: 

Elephant’s Child at https://myjustsostory.blogspot.com/ asked if it was normal for the basin area where the geese collect to dry up so quickly. The same thing happens every year in this basin. After spring run-off, it holds water. Before long it dries up or is absorbed into the earth below. This year, water lasted longer in the basin due to the amount of rain we’ve had. After a few sunny days though, the area is dry again.

After the surge

From this angle and distance it looks small.

This day it is the only familiar thing on this strand of beach which was ravaged by a recent storm surge. The gray sky and the muted January light of early afternoon add drama to the scene. A walk on the beach was not possible.

I have never been to this beach in winter. My husband and I usually visit spring to autumn.

However, the January thaw invited me outdoors after what has felt like months avoiding the bitter cold. It was good to be there in spite of my inability to walk along the strand.

An ice wall lines the shoreline now and salt water is trapped inside that wall. 

The combination of the water/ice and the pieces of ice from the bay thrown ashore by the storm, make walking treacherous. I wouldn’t walk on the Marram grass further in shore as it destroys the grass which helps prevent erosion.

This inlet is usually busy with fishing boats making their way to the fish plant and back to port. 

Boats are all ashore now as the bays, inlets and harbours are frozen. 

I will be eager to see the condition of the beach after the remainder of the winter. Meanwhile, the old lighthouse stands her ground, nestled behind the sand dunes. It is a comfort to see her in pristine condition, standing guard as usual.