Helen's Home World: Summer by the Sea

Monday, September 1, 2014

Summer by the Sea

After Nationals, we headed off to Shediac for two weeks holiday by the sea. I had rented one cottage for a week and once my sister decided to come with me, we extended our time and rented another cottage for the second week.

The first cottage I have rented now for three summers. It is walking distance from the marina where there is a gift shop, an ice cream shop and two restaurants. It is also not far from the beach that is just outside of Parlee Beach Provincial Park and because it is outside of the park you can take dogs there. The first week was pretty busy with various comings and goings of my sisters, nieces, nephew and brother-in-law. Annette and I did go on a cruise of Shediac Bay.

Point du Chene wharf

Cruising

Returning to the Point Du Chene wharf

We also went to Hopewell Rocks. It's a dog friendly attraction in New Brunswick. It is located in the Bay of Fundy where you have some of the world's highest tides so that at low tide you can walk on the ocean floor.

My nieces

The Flower Pots

Me with Beckett and Keltic

Sisters and nieces

We also had some time to walk on the beach and enjoy dinners out. And, in between activities, we also visited with my Mum.

Seafood casserole

Mandarin Salad

Beckett visits with Grandma

Annette and Mum

Amber and Annette

Keltic - the water isn't too bad

Beckett - Frisbeeholic

The next week after changing cottages, Annette and I had some time to do some other tourist-type things. We went to Le Pays de la Sagouine (Roughly translated as "country of the wise woman"), the Bouctouche Dunes, the Irving Plantation and Memorial Chapel.

La Sagouine is a character created by author Antoinne Maillet. La Sagouine and other characters created by the author embody the spirit of the Acadian culture. The books and the plays are world famous in francophone regions. Le Pays de la Sagouine is a tourist attraction in Bouctouche where the characters from the books come to life. Daily from June to September, there is music and theatrical skits on the little island called Ile de Puces (Flea island), except for an English presentation everything is in French. I understood about 60% of what was said but had to translate for my sister still the music is fun and the characters are funny.

Le Pays de la Sagouine

Dorys in the water of Bouctouche Bay

Acadian Flag vests

The Acadian Flag

Just a taste of the music

We also went to the Bouctouche Dunes and the Irving Plantation. The Irvings are a very wealthy family in New Brunswick, the patriarch Kenneth C Irving (known as KC) was born in Bouctouche. The family still has connections there and KC and his wife are buried in the cemetery by the chapel on the grounds of the plantation. The Bouctouche Dunes is a nature center funded by the Irving family. The dunes are 12 km long and you are welcome to use the beach; there are changing rooms and washrooms at the information center but most people just do the boardwalk. The boardwalk was nearly twice as long a few years ago but in 2010, winter storms destroyed over a kilometre of the boardwalk.

KC Irving Memorial Chapel

Interior of the Chapel

Gardens in the Irving Plantation

Boardwalk at the Bouctouche Dunes

Bouctouche Dunes

Boardwalk

Annette and I also had another evening on the beach with the dogs. It was at low tide so you could walk out and play on the sand bars. Beckett enjoyed playing Frisbee and Keltic enjoying chasing birds and a large motorized kite.

On one of our visits to see Mum, we stopped and walked the Riverfront Park trail. It's a trail that runs on both sides of the Petitcodiac river, we did the Riverview side but it also runs along the river on the Moncton side too.

The second last night of our holiday after visiting with Mum we stayed in town and had dinner so we could see the Twilight Teaser, a small taste of the air show that was on that weekend which was being staged along the water front. Part of the Twilight Teaser included some fireworks dropped by a hang glider and then by two acrobatic planes.

Twilight Teaser Fireworks

Our last day was a visit to Mum and to the cemetery where my Dad is buried. It always seems that the time goes by so quickly, you just arrive and it's time to go home.

We didn't get a good day for us to have a beach day so after getting back to my place and taking a day to relax, Annette and I went to the local water park Calypso.

I'm still on vacation but I go back to work next Monday. It will certainly be hard to get up on Monday morning.

2 comments:

SaraSeptember 1, 2014 at 7:12 PM
I'm going back to work tomorrow....the dogs have no idea how drastically their life is about to change!

Looks like a fantastic vacation. I really hope to get up that way sometime soon (wish it weren't such a logn drive). My parents head up to NB and NS next week. I wonder if they will visit any of the places you did....They should! They would love that boardwalk and Le Pays de la Sagouine.
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UnknownSeptember 2, 2014 at 3:51 AM
Looks like a lovely place to visit and glad you had a great vacation. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother