A Fish Story for a Beautiful morning..

 

 

.“Arn? Narn.” It is said to be the shortest conversation in Newfoundland. It’s also a prescient description of its culture’s future. Two fishing boats in a harbor are approaching one another, one departing, the other returning. The captain of the departing boat yells out to the captain of the returning boat, “Arn?” The other captain’s reply, “Narn.” Translated, “Any fish?” “No fish.” And that is the story.



Earlier this week on Surfside Beach, this was the scene from our deck as we enjoyed our coffee.  Life is simple here at the beach.  

 

 

 

A man, who just happens to be a fellow Newfoundlander, sitting on his bait bucket waiting for a fish to take his bait.  Then along comes a guy and the first fish tale just might be told.

One can only assume that this is a local fishing boat out for a morning's catch and not a fishing warden coming to see what is up.  (While watching from our deck, we can weave any story we wish.)

 

Then along comes a fellow with "the boys" who we know is a fellow Canadian neighbour.  Maybe, another tale be told.

 

Yet another joins the group.  

 

So as the story goes, “Arn? Sadly, Narn.”  But there is always another day.

Plantation River Tour

Wacca Wache Marina

Last week a small group of us went on the Plantation River Tour on the Waccamaw River, departing from the Wacca Wache Marina in Murrells Inlet.  The Pear Trees were all in bloom and quite beautiful.  

 

Here we are aboard the Waccamaw Lady (L:R):  Cal, Cathy, Paul, Me, John, Jackie, Judy and Gord, ready to head on down the river for a 2-hour tour.

Our Group (back row)

Along the ride we saw rice plantations, trunk gates, slave cabins, moss-laden oak trees, turtles, an alligator, a white egret and osprey nesting.

 

Interesting root formations along the banks of the Waccamaw River

Along the route we pass Sandy Island.  It The island is about 9,000 acres (36 km²) of a prehistoric sand dune.  It is bounded east and west by the rivers, on the north by Bull Creek, and on the south by Thoroughfare Creek.  The northern part of the island is higher and is mostly a longleaf pine forest, which provides a refuge for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and numerous other species of plants and animals.  On the southern, lower end of the island are the remnants of old rice plantations, with the watergates and earthwork canals, built by African slaves skilled in rice culture. Such development was used to manage the water supply for irrigating the rice fields.

A small community in the south is made up of a few families who are descendants of former salves. Some still work the rice fields. The island is only accessible by boat, and workers and school children commute to the mainland daily for work and school.

Boat used for daily transportation to and from Sandy Island

A General Store on Sandy Island

Osprey and nest

 

 

Alligator sunning

Some of the homes and plantations we saw along the tour. 

 

 

Chicora Woods

Great White Egret

 

Trunk Gates

Turtles sunning on a rock

It was a beautiful morning for the tour and the scenery was quite nice.

Here we are pulling into the dock after our tour and everyone has cool drinks and food on their minds.

So we treat ourselves to a great lunch on the deck at one of our favourite restaurant in the area, Hannah Banana's Sunshine Cabana.  What a great day with friends.

This Morning at Surfside Beach

Elaine will be proud of me as I was up early this morning to capture photos of the sunrise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is Almost Here....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Annual BBQ Bluegrass Festival

Last Saturday a few of us attended the 3rd Annual BBQ Bluegrass Festival here in Surfside Beach.  It was a great day for an outdoor concert.  We enjoyed two local bands. First we heard Sawgrass playing some more traditional bluegrass music and then the Josh Brannon Band playing a more country style.  There was a good turnout for the event of local area residents and snowbirds.  They were serving up hot dogs and BBQ sandwiches which are always a treat. All net BBQ proceeds benefit SAFER (Surfside Area Fire and Emergency Responders). 

 

Sawgrass

 

 

Snowbird Paul

Josh Brannon Band

 

 

Music under blue sky and palms - what a great way to spend an afternoon...