O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!

Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!

Thy mists that roll and rise!

Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag

And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag

To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!

World, World, I cannot get thee close enough! Edna St. Vincent Millay

…….actually it came a little too close in the above photo.:)

It was an early morning filled with brilliant sunshine in the Cove (the first in eight days), so we decided to go to Twillingate and hike in the rain:):).

Of course there is a story.

We went to the Women’s Institute Sale first and they were serving ‘light refreshments’……a non-alcoholic punch and homemade treats that included fruit cake and an assortment of Christmas cookies. I just had to have a piece of fruit cake…….well two actually…….and then we went twacking (Dictionary of Newfoundland English defines it as ‘window shopping’, walking about).

Most all the craft shops are closed for the season but the drugstore in Twillingate is a must because they carry sooo many little home decor and seasonal items, plus beautiful scarves, socks, jewelry,etc. The Dollar Store (very little costs just a dollar) sometimes has different items too and by this time it was time for lunch.

The Canvas Cove Bistro (check out their Facebook Page) served a delicious buffet lunch….what a spread……..and so I was so full, I had to walk.

Cousin Debbie introduced me to this trail, Lower Little Harbour, earlier this year but I hadn’t done the extra 3.6 km over the headland to Jonas Cove.

This shrub caught my attention because of its lovely colour, it really stood out in the grey of the day. I find the Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and Todd Boland’s Field Guide, Trees & Shrubs Newfoundland and Labrador very helpful when I am not sure of a plant’s identity.

All photos by L. Fudge

We usually take our hiking footwear and clothes on our travels, but this time I forgot my gloves…..

….but I did have an extra pair of socks which worked very well!

At first it was only overcast, then misty and then it rained, but the cool air and barren, rugged scenery were a joy.

Jonas or Jones?

There are a couple of signs, one says Jonas, the other Jones….but they are referring to the same Cove………maybe Jonas Jones lived there once upon a time?:):)

The complete Lower Little Harbour Trail is about 5km.

A unique rock.

Juniper Berries

They are used in the making of gin, lovely added to a drink with gin, and are also used when cooking wild game.

If you Google Lower Little Harbour Trail Twillingate, you will get mixed reviews on the difficulty of this trail, all however state that there are a couple of “challenging” areas. Tripadvisor is a good place to check for reviews and photos.

The wet, detailed forest.

Uphill and …..

…….down, the trail continues.

This had me laughing aloud with glee… the ocean rose at the entrance, came back down and rushed into the little ‘channel’, hitting the rocks with fury. Delightful!

We reached Jonas Cove after a lovely hike and walked back out on a much shorter path to the community of Little Harbour, not to be confused with Lower Little Harbour.:)

img_7966-800x533 — Old church in Little Harbour, Twillingate.

If you would like more on this trail, please check my blog post of April 16,2016.

I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. Nathaniel Hawthorne

“I am grateful for curiosity, ….

which keeps my brain elastic and my spirit young.” fr. a book entitled simply, Gratitude

I recently attended my second Unscripted Twillingate festival and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My first event was presented by TA Loeffler at the Beothuk Interpretion Centre in Boyd’s Cove, NL. I think everyone must know who TA is but, if not, just click her link above and have an adventure! This event, Miksang Photography Adventure was joyful, contemplative and stirring to the senses. Miksang was a new word for me, it is Tibetan and basically means ‘good eye’.

First a mediation with TA and then we had a drumming demonstration by staff member Desmond Canning of the Beothuk Interpretation Centre Provincial Historic Sites .

Desmond made this drum from spruce, steamed the wood and molded it around an old bicycle wheel. A ridge in the wood and sinew holds the oxford cloth (no, he doesn’t buy it at The Mall in Stoneville:)) but gets it from a store in Labrador. The sound is amazing and it is so interesting to listen and to watch. Check out the Interpretation Centre’s website and listen to Desmond tell the stories of drumming.

Interior of Interpretation Centre

After a snack, we hit the trail for a unique photography experience. TA divided our photo journey into colour, form, texture and space and we were encouraged to take photos using each component. I found ‘space’ the most challenging.

A most interesting exercise occurred when we were divided into pairs, one person closed their eyes and became ‘the camera’ with their ‘lens’ (eyes) opening and taking a picture when their partner gently pulled their ear. One workshop member described it as “a flash of vividness.”

Vibrant

Grounded.

In the Spirit Garden

Peek a Boo.

I love it when you go to an event and almost instantaneously, you bond with like-minded individuals. I believe we were all “in the moment.”

“ there is a crack, a crack in everything

that’s how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen

Smooth

rough

prickly

As I rubbed my hand over the trunk of this tree, I experienced three different textures…..forgot to tell TA that….bet she would have been impressed…I was using two senses simultaneously:):)