June 14th: This island is new to me, and yet, it is a very familiar, place. Grand Manan is an island just off the coast of New Brunswick. It is 34 km (21 mi) long and 18 km (11 mi) wide and it is home to around 2500 residents.
Many years ago I moved to a similarly sized island, Bowen Island, near West Vancouver BC. So far, everyone has slotted right into the Bowen Island characteristics. Friendly. Helpful. Chatty. And willing to let the rules slide.
I arrived at the Black Harbour ferry terminal two hours early for my 11:30 reservation and told the ticket agent that I had a receipt, but it was in my travel binder, in the trunk. "Should I get it for you?" I asked.
Without batting an eyelash, she pointed to the boat and said, "If you hurry you can catch the 9:30. Just head over there."
It wasn't until I was on the ferry that I realized I never did show her my receipt.
Upstairs in the doggie lounge, a very nice woman (and her elderly dog) gave me an interesting geology and historical recap of the island as we journeyed for 90 minutes from Blacks Harbour through the dense fog to Grand Manan's ferry terminal.
When I arrived I phoned the owner of the cottage and explained that I had accidentally arrived two hours earlier than we had discussed. She said, "No problem. The house is clean. I'll text you the entry code and wifi info. Enjoy your stay."
Then the staff at the nearby store/restaurant were super helpful, explaining the difference between a clam platter and a clam strips platter. Whole clams as opposed to pieces of clams. I stifled a laugh when the young woman's expression clearly exhibited her disgust, "I don't eat either of those!" She said.
The weather is rainy, damp, and foggy. Waves ripple over the dark sand. I can taste the tang of seaweed in the air. And odors of clams, mussels, and crabs buried deep in the muddy shoreline waiting for the life-giving brine to wash over them at high tide. The shriek of seagulls. The moan of the fog horns.
It all soothes my soul.
A foggy 90-minute ferry ride
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| Our home for the next two days |
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| The southern head, steep cliffs, lots of birds |
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| The salty tang of low tide |
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| Near Fish Fluke on Grand Manan |
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| Tired pupper! |
3 comments:
So fun traveling through Canada with you and HRH Sparky.💕
Lynda, many fisherman will spend a season fishing on Grand Manan, love to hear your impressions.
Enjoying your adventure!🥰🥰
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