Table Mountains

2012-01-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Moose cull ends in Newfoundland national parks


Moose Gros Morne Park

CBC News::::This is the last day hunters can legally shoot moose in two national parks in Newfoundland.
Permits were issued for more than 400 moose in Gros Morne and Terra Nova.
Parks Canada says it hopes letting hunters into the parks will help prevent hungry moose from turning forests into fields.
"We're losing forests progressively, year by year," Tom Knight of Parks Canada said.
"As insects or fire disturb the forests, when the forests start to regrow underneath that, moose browsing is preventing it from regenerating." Click here for the rest of the Article.

2011-12-31T10:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year.

A few photos from a little walk today in the Wreckhouse. It's the calm before the Storm again. Within hours from now the winds wil be gusting over 100 KPH there.

2011-12-25T12:03:00.001-08:00

I got out around for a walk today and captured a few shots around the Community. I decided to make a small Video for those who couldn't make it back to Cape Ray for Christmas.

2011-12-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

Another step in the right direction....

Environment Canada redraws weather map for southwest coast

Brodie Thomas: The Gulf News

Almost two years after The Port aux Basques town council called for it, Environment Canada is re-drawing the lines on its weather forecast map to group Wreckhouse in the same region as Port aux Basques.

Previously, Port aux Basques was grouped in with Burgeo, while Wreckhouse and the Codroy Valley fell under Bay St. George’s coverage area.
For a time, this meant people checking the forecast for Port aux Basques would not necessarily receive notice of high winds in the Wreckhouse area.
Port aux Basques town council found this misleading and wrote to Environment Canada, asking them to redraw the lines in December of 2009. At the time, a spokesperson said council’s request was timely because the divisions were up for review.
Under the new rezoning, a forecast area known as Port aux Basques and Vicinity will take in the entire Codroy Valley and the Granite Coast as far as Harbour Le Cou.
Another area called Burgeo-Ramea, will take in the south coast from La Poile to Francois and stretch north to cover the Burgeo Highway.
The Connaigre Peninsula now has it’s own forecast region. It was once grouped in with Ramea, Francois and Grey River.
According to a press release from Environment Canada, the rezoning adds eight unique zones to the entire province. Other changes include the addition of more forecast zones on the Avalon Peninsula, along the Labrador coast, and along the entire Labrador highway.
Dale Foote, program supervisor at the Newfoundland and Labrador Weather Office in Gander, said these changes were made to address concerns form the general public on the past model.
“People were concerned about not having Wreckhouse and Port aux Basques in the same region,” he said.
He said they also changed the name of the St. George’s forecast region to Bay St. George based on feedback from people in that area.

2011-11-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

For those wondering why I have not Blogged in a while. I had a Heart Attack on November 6-2011 and spent 20 days in the Hospital at Port Aux Basques and The Health Science Center in St. Johns.Feeling great now! They let our Puppy drop by and visit me in the Hospital. (photo above)

2011-10-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

Moose Fencing nearing completion in the Gallants area.
Shot a few pics of the Moose Fencing in that area yesterday.
News Article: Georgian.

A provincial pilot program testing the effectiveness of wildlife fencing and warning systems in reducing the number of moose-vehicle collisions on provincial highways will place the fencing along the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) in western Newfoundland.

A total of 15 kilometres of fencing is expected to go up. According to a provincial government tender, it will be installed on the TCH in the area adjacent to Gallants and Black Duck Siding.

At the same time, a wildlife detection and warning system will be installed on the TCH east of the Salmonier Line interchange More,click here>>>>>

My Granddaughter posing by the Fence to show the height of it.

2011-10-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

My Moose this Season.

I wonder if this is just a waste of money to please a certain Group rather then explore other options?

Moose detection system up and running.

The province's first moose detector system is up and running along a short section of the Trans-Canada Highway west of St. John’s.
The pilot project, including flashing lights that warn drivers if a moose is in the area, covers 1.5 kilometres east of the Salmonier Line interchange. More,Click here >>>>

2011-10-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

A Webcam.

Thought I would share this today.
A new webcam installed on top of Kala Patthar, at the height of 5,600 meters (3.480 miles), will now allow anyone with a PC of high resolution to watch live images of the world's tallest peak Mount Everest. This is the first webcam installed at the vicinity. The image is updated every few minutes, and one can also see the movements of clouds around the mountain.

The camera has been installed by Italian and Nepalese technicians coordinated by Cabbage Giampietro. The Mount Everest webcam was installed under the 2011 Share Everest expedition to restore the world's highest weather station.

2011-09-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Our Sunset last Night.

2011-09-02T08:53:00.001-07:00

Just another small Video of a hike we had.

2011-08-30T16:42:00.003-07:00

Another Hike,another Video.

A long Tme ago

2011-08-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

A recent ATV Trip up a small Stream to look back at the Past.

2011-08-13T19:59:00.001-07:00

Short Video of a Canoe Trip on August 13-2011.

2011-07-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

A short Video of a little excursion around Port au Port this past weekend.

2011-07-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Late this afternoon my Wife and I went for a walk near our community. We ran across a Coyote and I witnessed it killing a Squirrel. The Coyote showed no fear and I snapped a series of photos. A few of the photos here.

2011-07-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

Jenny,Phillip and some Honey Bees

Been wondering a few times how hard it would be for me to have a Honey Bee Hive in my Garden. Ran across this from a couple in St. Johns and they show the start up costs of a Bee operation.I think I'll continue to buy my Newfoundland Honey each time I drive through Deer Lake.

Interesting Blog about Newfoundland Honey Bees called "Mud Songs." CLICK HERE.

2011-07-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

Dust in the Wind. A walk along the Seashore and a visit to the old Light Keepers final resting place.

2011-07-05T14:14:00.001-07:00

Some Thunder Showers today and I try out a soundtrack in a video I shot outside.

2011-07-03T15:54:00.001-07:00

We got out early this morning to catch a few Brookies. Enjoyable day.

2011-07-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Finally some Sun and up the Table Mountain we did run !

2011-06-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

The tragic battlefield loss on July 1, 1916 that ended the dreams of a nation.

"In many ways Newfoundland paid three times for the war. It paid in loss of life, it paid in war debts and it paid in loss of democracy. I don't think you'd find any other part of the British empire or I suppose any other part of the world that would have had to pay such a heavy price for its participation in the war."
(historian John Fitzgerald)

A link here to some interesting reading. Click>

2011-06-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

If Darrin King,NL Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister gets his way some of our Provinces best kept secrets will continue to remain secret. From The Gulf News today.

The Gulf News has learned four tourist attractions on the southwest coast have been denied Job Creation Fund dollars to operate this season. At least three will remain closed for the season.

"The Rose Blanche Lighthouse, Burnt Islands Hook and Line Interpretation Centre, Misery Point Fish Livyer’s Station and the Cape Ray Lighthouse were all shut out of funding. Both lighthouses have confirmed they will stay closed, as will the Hook and Line Interpretation Centre"

Years of work and in some cases,decades of work by volunteers,volunteer organizations and investments from the Province seem to be ignored for reasons only the Minister seems to know.

I will be looking forward to how the Minister will spin this story to the public.

2011-06-08T10:17:00.001-07:00

Sure wish the weather would change so we could get out and do more of this.

2011-05-22T14:43:00.001-07:00

A short walk along the Seashore today,

2011-05-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

A little Boating trip today. I love the ladies voice in the song. Lisa Lavie.

2011-05-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

500 Hunting Permits for Gros Morne and Terra Nova.

For a few years now a moose cull in Gros Morne was talked about. The last survey n 2008 put the Moose population around 5,000 animals. In 2011 a hunt will be allowed there. My friend has tried for a permit there and yesterday we drove through the area. There may be plenty of Moose to hunt there but getting access to the area he's trying might be difficult considering no ATV is allowed to transport the Moose out. I doubt if the number of permits will have much effect in curbing the numbers there. The Photos below are are from yesterday.

2011-04-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

Winds gusting to 120 KPH again today and still someone does not hear the warnings or worst,Ignores it.
Few pics of Todays mishap.

2011-04-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Randell optimistic she'll get wheelchair accessible van

I have never met the lady in person but have communicated with her on Internet Forums over the years. Hopefully Penny will get her wish.

CORNER BROOK — Pennie Randell spends most of her days inside her home working on her computer.
The Corner Brook woman would love to get out, but can’t.
Randell, who is originally from Bide Arm on the Northern Peninsula, has muscular dystrophy.
She’s lived in the city with her sister Marsha Gillingham and her family for 15 years.
Randell’s confined to a wheelchair and that, combined with a permanent ventilator, makes getting out of the house difficult.
In the summer she’ll spend some time outside with her two nieces, but going out in the yard or on the sidewalk are about as far as she can go.
That’s because Randell has no other means of transportation. Trips to the doctor or hospital for appointments have to be arranged by ambulance.
Randell will soon be 48 and last year Marlene Burton, a high school friend, started a campaign to raise money to buy Randell a wheelchair accessible van. More of the story,click here >>>

A quiet Morning

2011-04-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

Spent a quiet morning out in the Wreckhouse with my oldest Granddaughter. No winds and the temperature was about 6 degrees.

2011-04-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

A bit of fun this past weekend.

2011-04-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Another night out recently enjoying the outdoors. I'll be spending some time Salmon Fishing this summer and hope to do a bit of hunting in the Fall. More Hiking coming soon and today my wife gave me a gift,a new Backpack,

2011-04-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

I have made many Springtime trips to Gros Morne Park just to capture a few Moose photos such as the one above. Some mornings I have counted as high as 80 Moose along the roadside from the park entrance to Rock Harbor.I do hope when the Cull starts there that only residents of that area get to benefit from extra permits.

Moose cull set for national parks in N.L.

Moose will soon be killed in two national parks in Newfoundland, with officials saying the population of the animals is destroying forests and habitat for other species.
Parks Canada is expected to outline more details on Wednesday of the cull that will be allowed later this year at Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland, and Terra Nova National Park in eastern Newfoundland. News Article,click here. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2011/04/05/moose-cull-parks-canada-406.html

2011-04-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

Increased moose licences would threaten industry: outfitters

Newfoundland and Labrador outfitters say an increase in moose-hunting licences would be a major setback for the industry.

Ron Hicks, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association, said he’s heard rumours that the provincial government may increase the number of moose licences available for the 2011 season by 5,000 permits over its current level of 28,220, a move that would threaten provincial outfitters, he said.
“It takes away our most competitive advantage, that is a high success rate, the highest in the world, actually,” he said, adding that residents’ success rate is about 70 per cent and non-residents’ success rate is 85 per cent. “That’s pretty much what draws the non-resident hunter to Newfoundland. Newfoundland is not the easiest place to get to; it’s costly to get here. It’s cumbersome to get here, and that’s the one drawing card that we do have.”
More on the Story, Click here >>>>

2011-03-31T17:59:00.001-07:00

Out enjoying the outdoors for several days.

2011-03-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday evening after my work day was finished I decided to take a walk along the shoreline here to see if I could spot a few Seals. Came across a young Whitecoat pup and it looked pretty healthy.I suspect there were a few more along the rocks because I could see older Seals surfacing off shore checking things out. I suspect if I had more time I would of discovered more pups but I had to return home because of the fading daylight. Again this year we see no ice around our shoreline and not much ice cover in the whole Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Associated Press reported that American biologists are currently trying to determine why harp seals from Canada have been showing up in U.S. waters in greater numbers this year and farther south than usual. While it’s unclear what drove about 100 seals south, experts say it’s possible that climatic conditions and food supply are playing a role.

2011-03-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

A sign of spring in our area. The temperature actually reached double digits in the Wreckhouse area Saturday past.

2011-03-12T14:38:00.000-08:00

We spent a night out in the woods and ate enough to feed a Third World Country for a day.

2011-02-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

Now the photo in the post has nothing to do with the below story.Just to draw ya in. You can thank me later.

Outstanding Traffic Fines in the Province Total $28 Million

According to the RNC, the province has more than $28 million in uncollected traffic fines on the books and police say they're having trouble tracking down the offenders. RNC officials say they're stopping motorists almost daily who have unpaid fines and, as of November, there were at least five motorists in the province who owed more than $40,000 each. During the last quarter, police in St. John's nabbed thirty-seven drivers who collectively owed $330,000 in outstanding fines.

The Department of Justice has indicated that payments for outstanding fines are difficult to collect because the people who owe them may have unpublished cell phone numbers, no fixed address, are in jail or have no job or credit history.

The outstanding fines may be difficult to collect but once you have a person pulled over and he/she owes a certain amount of dollars,SEIZE THE BLOODY VEHICLE! As for the rest of the money,hire someone and give them a percentage to track those people down and make them pay.

2011-02-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

East end of the Wreckhouse

A few shots from Today's Excursions

This Truck has a full load of freight aboard

Hayley with Charlie & Annie

The Collins showing Hayley their Pets.

Charlie & Hayley

A Photoshop effect

Note the Canada Geese above the Dogs

Thousands of Geese here

2011-02-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Here's where a lot of Residents in Cape Ray get their clean source of drinking water. It's 2011 and I'm wondering if there are any more places in NL where so many have to do this. I do think Black Tickle in Labraor has a similar problem. My own source has become so bad now that we have to go to another community with our laundry and my next door neighbors also go elsewhere. This coming Spring we will have to invest up to $10,000 for an Artesian Well. We can expect no help from the Government but yet years ago they made an offer for helping communities.We will soon see large Transmission lines and Infrastructure near our community running Hydro Lines across the Cabot Strait to Nova Scotia. I doubt if anyone who comes to the area to work will build a home in Cape Ray but go elsewhere because of the fact we have no water source available. With the upcoming election in October hopefully those still without a clean drinking water supply will elect someone who thinks in this day and age it's a right to have it.

2011-01-30T17:37:00.000-08:00

Took a little stroll around the Beach here today. Thought of the people from my community living up there in Canada who must miss this place. So I made a small Video for them.

2011-01-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

With a light snow falling we decided to go outside today to try and capture a few Photos.

2011-01-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

Out chasing Rabbits this Weekend with a friend of mine. Made this Video so he could pass it on to his sons who live up there in Canada. When we receive a bit more snow,we'll be going back to catch a few more.

2011-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

They say December was the warmest December on record for the Island.

January is also staring out pretty darn well. Recently walked the Seashore around Cape Ray and here's a small Video showing what little snow we have. The Temperature was +5 and a strong Northerly wind.

2010-12-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

Got out for a short walk this afternoon. By the look of things,I might not get the opportunity to do so tomorrow. Once again the Southeast winds are suppose to gust up to 150 KPH in our area and maybe a snowfall to top it off. Here are a few shots i took today around an area here the locals call the gut.

The old Light Keepers Graves from the 1800's tucked out of sight in a small wooded area.

Some years the kids are skating on this Lagoon by now.

Charlie a Landseer swims across the Gut to say hi to me.

A family from Isle Aux Morts walk their Newfoundland and Landseer Dogs on the Cape Ray Beach today.

2010-12-21T08:27:00.000-08:00

Yeah I know,same old story. I guess you can call it the 'Neverending Story," Winds gusting up over 100 KPH have disrupted the Marine Atlantic Ferry service and once again the Wreckhouse takes on those who attempt to run the Gauntlet. Went out and captured the following scenes early this morning.

2010-12-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

Truckers who ignored wind warnings 'irresponsible': minister

Transportation Minister Tom Hedderson says several truckers who ignored warnings not to pass through the Wreckhouse area in southwestern Newfoundland Wednesday were "dangerously irresponsible."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/12/17/nl-wreckhouse-hedderson-transports-wind.html#ixzz18TijZDkO

2010-12-15T17:02:00.000-08:00

A Wreckhouse warning is still in effect here and for days now the winds may not of diminished below 100 KPH. No Ferries crossing the Gulf because of the high winds and still Truckers try and run the Wreckhouse gauntlet. Latest two casualties Pictured below. The new Digital signage is either being ignored or displaying the wrong info. I have noticed it's not giving wind speeds in real time but posting that the winds are either 60 or 80 KPH and asking people to pull over.

Here in the above photo you can see how the Wreckhouse Winds are formed. The wind funnels down through the Table Mountain Valleys picking up speed as it travels. Winds on the mountain may be only 30 - 40 KPH but below in the Wreckhouse it may of accelerated to 150 plus KPH. The water in the Pond here is funneled up several hundred feet by the force of the winds.

2010-12-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

A new NFLD Folk Hero ?

Come gather all around me and I'll tell to you a tale,

About Poor old Leo that almost went to jail.

It happened on a December night when the Mounties were asleep,

Leo walked out his back door and wandered down the street.

The mounties got the message and they started in to cry ,

This is from Petty Harbour, I think they got our boy.

Last night when we were sleeping and dreaming about our moose,

Leo walked out the door and now he's on the loose!

LINK HERE TO STORY

If this happened anywhere else the outcome may of been different. He may of slipped away from the Police but they didn't do nothing drastic to him. Hopefully Leo will get the treatment he needs.

2010-12-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

Winds gusting to 136 KPH and winds forecasted up to 120 KPH on Monday. The new Digital Signs for the Wreckhouse are not putting out the info for those who travel through the area. I shot the above photo around 3 PM this afternoon when returning home from Corner Brook.The Trucker attempted to face into the S.E. Winds and ride out the storm on the Wreckhouse parking lot. Just couldn't succeed,the winds got him. A dozen or so Tractor Trailers are sitting it out in Doyles waiting for the winds to stop.

The Sign at the eastern end of the Wreckhouse yesterday..

Satellite link from the Wreckhouse weather station.

It won't be using much electricity. After two weeks just 32 KW's used.

2010-11-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

A Story today from our local Newspaper the Gulf News about the new Digital Signage warning of the Wreckhouse Winds.

Wreckhouse conditions go digital

Drivers heading towards dangerous Wreckhouse winds will now be given fair warning, regardless of the time of day. Mayor Brian Button and Tom Hedderson, minister of transportation and works, unveiled digital warning signs on the Trans-Canada Highway on Nov. 12. One of the signs is just east of town, not far from the Visitor Information Centre. The second is approximately 47 kilometres from Port aux Basques near Mollichignick River Bridge in the Codroy Valley. The total cost was approximately $100,000.

More on the Story CLICK HERE.

2010-11-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Today the new Digital Signage for the Wreckhouse will be unveiled. Finally a warning to Truckers and unsuspecting Tourist who have ran this gauntlet and came out the looser. Hopefully this may save a few lives and keep our Police and Ambulance drivers from having to go out to that area and help when an accident occurs there. I doubt if this will stop some from attempting to run it when the winds are high but at least now there will be a warning to those who might not know what to expect.

2010-10-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Next Years Nobel Prize winner

2010-10-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

Some Images of our Autumn.

2010-09-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

I wonder if the Quebec Premier did something similar,how would we react? ,,,but I did find it amusing.

2010-09-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

On Saturday evening my Granddaughter and I made it to the Town of Badger to see Judy Ricketts launch her sequel to "The Badger Riot." Her second Book "The Badger Confession," has been described by Canada's Globe & Mail as,,,,,,,

“J. A. Ricketts’s The Badger Riot is a rare combination for a historical novel: It is gripping and accurate. It is historical fiction done right.”

2010-09-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

I did not intend to post anything of yesterdays latest accidents in the Wreckhouse but after seeing how the CBC reported the story using their Map,I decided to take a jab at it. The Map shows the Wreckhouse 50 - 60 Kilometers East of where it should be. Just more dis - information.

Few Pics here again and once again I have to add,still no changes, Apparently someone has to die first.


This Trucker is in a bad situation. Stuck in the Wreckhouse but knows that pointing his Truck in the Wind and waiting it out is a darn good idea!

The Truck that was attached to this Trailer received damage but was later hauled back on the road.

Not a good idea to haul trailers such as this at anytime with the winds here.

I doubt if he was lovin' it when the winds hit him.

2010-08-31T09:16:00.000-07:00

We traveled to the Great Northern Peninsula this past weekend and captured a bit of it on Video.

2010-08-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

An evening battling the Black Flies and picking Blueberries at The Wreckhouse.

Wild Flowers,Wreckhouse

Last Rays of the sun in the Wreckhouse on an August Evening.

Sun settting over Big Pond,Cape Ray.

2010-08-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Some Photos from the Food Fishery last weekend. We got our Quota quickly but the Fish were not that big. I did enjoy the evening on the water!

Launching the boat south of Cape Ray

As we approached the Cape Ray light a low fog greeted us

Terry hooks into one quickly

We caught our quota of 15 but no big ones.

A few Boats out from the community

2010-08-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

A visit to the Newfoundland Insectarium recently and here's a little Video with the music of The Sharecroppers who are great ambassadors of the Humber Valley in NL.

2010-08-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

A Monday Morning on the Island of Newfoundland

Checking CBC News, NL this morning I came across this Article: "Six Moose accidents across Newfoundland."

Six moose-vehicle collisions on a Monday morning and the days not over with yet. No reports of injuries, but I wonder what if that article had said six fatalities or more? Guys like Eugene Nippard (Grand Falls,NL) and Stuart Pearce from my region have been trying to address this issue for quite sometime now. After this mornings News I think quite a few more will start to take them serious.

Recently,Rex Murphy wrote a column in the Nation Post entitled " Newfoundland on the Horns of a Moose Dilemma."

One of Rex's comments must send chills up the back of our Tourism Department staff here.Visitors get killed here in accidents involving moose. I wonder how many have had Moose-vehicle collisions while visiting the Island. I doubt if that's one statistic the Government wants known. Maybe someone can dig and find out. So I wonder what Tuesday morning on the Island will bring?

2010-08-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

Newfoundland Chipmunks

The only info I can seem to gather on the Chipmunks in Newfoundland. (Chipmunks were introduced in 1962 to the Island) Either then that,nothing! Makes me wonder why bring them and who bought them here.

Will, recently they introduced themselves to my Garden and have gotten quite comfortable. They (3) have taken up refuge under a Rock pile on which I have Flowers and I also noticed an escape Den under an old Tree that I had to saw down after a wind storm last fall. I first noticed them near a Bird Feeder I have gathering Sunflower Seeds dropped by the Birds. Granddaughter feeds them and they become quite tame within minutes. Hopefully they won't cause me no problems by trying to get in the house or I may have to capture them and relocate them a few miles away. Few pics of Alvin,Theodore and Simon in my Garden here. Anyone finding any more info on them,please post.

Newfoundland Chipmunk

2010-08-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Government Working on Solution to Windy Problem

VOCM News. Aug 4-2010
Government appears to be working on a better way to inform drivers about high winds on the Trans Canada in the Wreckhouse area. A woman from central Newfoundland complained to government after being in a nasty accident. Fran told VOCM BackTalk with Bill Rowe, she and her husband had stopped because of the wind. When it died down slightly, they resumed their journey, but soon after, their four-by-four truck and 21-foot camper tipped over on the road. She says they went straight across the road, and were trapped in the vehicle. She says it took three men to hold up the door so that they could get out. She says her complaint to the government was that they have a big green sign warning drivers, but unless you stop to read it all or drive by slowly enough, you're not going to get all the information.

Fran says Transportation Minister Tom Hedderson sent her an email stating that government had received a report from a consultant who was working on developing alternative solutions to inform drivers of the Wreckhouse area's windy conditions. A solution is expected to be in place by the fall.

I doubt if Minister Hedderson knows where the Wreckhouse is. I listened to him on a Radio interview last year and his solution to Truckers at that time was to turn around on the Wreckhouse parking lot and turn back. That of all places is where no one should be when the winds are high there. As for the solution to be in place by fall? I doubt it! The only solution is a Digital Sign warning on both ends.

2010-08-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Route 470 or the Granite Trail
What ever you want to call it makes no difference. A name simply cannot do justice to the beauty of that area. Yesterday we made the excursion to the Living Outport of Rose Blanche and I grabbed a few shots along the way. To tell the truth,my main reason was to get a great meal of Fish & Chips again at the Friendly Fishermans Cafe. Yeah,that's the actual photo of it on top. Like the names we associate with the area,the photo cannot do justice to the taste of it. Here are a few shots of the area from yesterday in no particular order.

Salmon Cove, Rose Blanche

Rose Blanche Harbour

Rose Blanche

Harbour Le Cou

My Niece & Granddaughter

Optical Zoom shot,taken from Rose Blanche

2010-07-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

A few Photos from the last Day in July.

The Bailey Bridge Codroy Valley.

Four Quarts of Strawberries at the U Pik.

We have fed this Horse many times in the past


Cape Anguille Lighthouse.

Wildflowers at the Bailey Bridge.

Anglican Church,Codroy.

2010-07-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

An interesting article in the Telegram today entitled "Last Ferry to Big Noise." by Liam Dougherty.

I have been following the demise of this tiny community for a while. The only comments I can make is that I'm glad I didn't live there. I just don't know how I would react if it was my community.

2010-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

A few from yesterday's ATV Ride on the Table Mountains.

The Partridge remains still and has 4-5 young near by.

My Brother enjoying the view of the Valley below. My Granddaughter and I went fishing down their this past Saturday.

A minor problem. In a few places we had to use the Wrench.

A Fog Bank rolls up the Little Codroy River.

My Brother taking a few pics. Note the Pyramid shape Mountains a few miles in the distance.

Great looking Valley and the little Stream has many Brook Trout.

2010-07-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Another Morning of Fishing.

I sat and watched her catch a dozen Trout yesterday and each one she hauled in gave her the same excitement as the first one she landed a few weeks back. It was quite an enjoyable morning and next year I'll teach her to Fly Fish.
A few pics and small Video here of yesterdays little excursion.

2010-07-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

A great Hike yesterday to a place I call Big Meadows in the Wreckhouse area. Granddaughter has been asking to go Fishing for sometime, so we purchased her a Fishing Rod of her own. The Hike must of took us close to two hours to reach the stream in the big valley. After a quick lesson on how to use the Spincast Rod she soon started landing her first Trout. Her squeals of delight echoed all through that valley. We kept a dozen of the Trout to fry up later on today and she must of caught and released Dozens more. Big Meadows is a Glacier carved valley with tall grass and a meandering stream blocked in one place by a Beaver dam. The sides of the mountains have Peridotite Rocks that have fallen all the way to the Valley floor and into the stream in places. The winds can blow down through this valley in excess of 200 KPH at times. Yesterday just a gentle breeze,just enough to keep the Flies away. Perfect!

2010-06-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

Today the Wreckhouse winds peaked at 114 KPH and as expected someone tried their luck once again. Same story and almost the same photos. A few decided to hold up and wait for the winds to calm and around 6:30 PM Traffic was flowing through. Still no Signage there!

The Photos are all starting to look alike to me and
I suspect the Stories are also the same.

Several Tractors with escorts pass through when the winds calmed out with sections of a new Home.They stayed at the Cape Ray turnoff all day until it was clear.

2010-06-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

With the longer days we have been getting out and about a bit more and it's always great to capture Video and a few Pics when we do. Here's our latest from last evenings ATV ride. We discovered 8 - 10 Arctic Tern Nests near the community and I suspect there are quite a few more. We had to be careful walking in places because the Eggs are camouflaged pretty well in places.

She kept her Helmet on in case the Terns decided to Dive Bomb us. They usually do when the chicks are hatched and can inflict a few cuts on your head.

A Video from last evenings ATV Ride.

2010-06-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my Eight year old Granddaughter and I made a hike to the top of a mountain in South Branch. We hiked the Mark Rock Trail to pay respects to a fallen Soldier,Sgt. Craig Gillam who died Oct. 6-2006 in Afghanistan.

A video and some photos of our Hike here.

Paying respect to a fallen Soldier.

Craig Gillams Memorial at Mark Rock.

South Branch Mountain

2010-06-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

June 11th was Jacques Cousteau's 100th. Birthday. I remember the Reels of film we watched in school on his explorations and the TV Documentaries. Quite a man!

2010-06-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

... and they say there are no Hero's left?

So click on the link and look at an inspiration to all men out there. Stuart Ashby, I salute you.

He said: "When there is no public transport I hitch-hike. I don't think anything of it. Enough people stop to get me from A to B and people are interested when they find out where I am going."

What a Guy!

2010-05-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

"Stupid is as stupid does."

A few shots from the old Radar Site,Table Mountains.

2010-05-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

We made an ATV ride to the top of the Table Mountains Monday and i captured a bit of Video on the way over to the Radar. Still playing around with the Software and i really do need a Tripod because of the winds. Also need to play more with the fonts,colors and yeah,check/double check my Spelling.

So if anyone is interested here's some Video of the Table Mountain with a bit of World War Two History thrown in.

2010-05-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

St. John's Named A Smart City

From VOCM News:
According to Maclean's Magazine, the City of St. John's has been named one of Canada's smartest cities by the Canadian Council on Learning. With the discovery of more than two billion barrels of accessible oil off our coast, the fate of St. John's -- once a hard-luck port town -- changed dramatically. Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose oil fields have provided about 14,000 jobs in spin-off industries. Technip, a local subsea engineering firm, is using its "Engineer here, live here" campaign to lure Newfoundlanders back from Houston and Calgary. St. John's has also managed to focus on investments in the arts, sports and recreation, and formal education, making the capital city a bustling Atlantic centre.

Our Composite Learning Index score has shot up from 65 in 2006 to 80 this year, helping us to jump 10 spots in the ranking to 14. Although Victoria has been named Canada's smartest city, the CCL has appointed St. John's as the city which has shown the greatest improvement.

A few weeks back Bay Roberts,NL was voted by another Magazine as one of the worst places in Canada to live. So it looks like the Townies are one up on the Bay Guys.

2010-05-12T06:51:00.001-07:00

Recently drove through Gros Morne and shot a bit of Video.

2010-04-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

A few Photos and Video from a recent early morning run into Gros Morne.

First time trying a Video using Digital editing.I should of improved the quality before I uploaded to Youtube. I'm sure things will improve as I experiment more.

2010-04-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

I have a new High Definition Video Camera coming by mail sometime later in the week. It's a JVC GZ-HM400U and will record in 1920 x 1080 Resolution that would be similar to Digital Cinema Technology. I purchased my first so called Movie Camera in the 70's, a Super 8 camera that i took on Fishing and Hiking trips that allowed me to capture maybe five minutes of Film. Later in 1989 I purchased my first VHS model that allowed unbelievable filming on a two hour VHS Tape. I purchased several others when the size of the things got smaller and lighter. With todays Tech I would now be able to editing picture sequences digitally and more easily then i did with the VHS.

I hope to be able to give this new Playtoy a test in Grose Morne next week capturing the Moose that roam the area there.

2010-04-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

An amusing one for today.

2010-03-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Lest we Forget ?

Tim Hortons staff eligible for Afghan war medals

Changes to military policy spur controversy. Click here for the story and latest winner of the Canadian Double Double Medal.

2010-03-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

CBC NL Article:

Moose strategy not enough: quadriplegic

Newfoundland and Labrador's strategy to curb moose-vehicle collisions will fall short of its goal, says a man left severely disabled by such a crash.
The government announced this week it will issue 2,154 new moose licences for the next hunting season, on top of more than 27,000 existing licences, in a bid to bring down the number of collisions on the province's highways.
As well, it will spend more money to cut brush along the roadways.
But Corner Brook resident Ben Bellows, who was paralyzed from the neck down after his car struck a moose in broad daylight on the Trans-Canada Highway near Clarenville, said many lives will still be destroyed or severely changed.
"It's not just me," said Bellows. "It's my wife, my family, my children."
Bellows supports a campaign to put high fences along the highway in areas where moose are well known to be found.
"It's a no-brainer," he said.
"The moose is the problem. The moose is on the road. It's not supposed to be there."
Bellows challenges those who argue that a fencing system would be too expensive to construct.
"What about the cost to me?" he said. "My bill ranked up to $500,000 — what about that cost? What about the cost of my pain?"
Earlier this week, Environment Minister Charlene Johnson said new measures, including an extended season and early promotion of Sunday hunting, would allow hunters to reach more remote areas.
In turn, she said, a wider hunt would mean fewer animals later heading towards highways for food and space.

Recently an announcement was made to cull Moose from our Two National Parks on the Island. It made me wonder does that cull help make up the 2,154 Charlene Johnson announced?

2010-03-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's Daffodil Days from March 27 - April 3,2010. This morning Volunteer members of our local Fire Department delivered them door to door in our community. I suspect in our small community every family has had a relative touched by Cancer. The Fire Chief told me he had 55 more homes to deliver to when he dropped our Daffodils off this morning.

HOPE BLOOMS.

2010-03-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

Click to open Photos.

Apparently someone tried to run the Gauntlet again today. The plates say Minnesota and the results are the same. The winds which peaked at 156 KPH today turned the Rig over which was going West. Like most accidents it appears the Driver may of had to break the Windshield out to escape. The winds gusted around 100 KPH when i was shooting this and I was quite happy when my Nephew decided to accompany me on my latest little excursion out there to shoot a few photos. Met several RCMP Officers out there checking the area. It's probably going to be a RCMP Member,an Ambulance Operator or Works Services individual who becomes the first casualty out there while trying to help someone in trouble.

2010-03-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Today in the Wreckhouse winds have exceeded 150 KPH and I'm wondering if anyone has attempted to run it? Hopefully not! A few days back my Granddaughter and i made a short walk to the little pond in the area on a calm morning. That place has such beauty when the winds are calm and hopefully our short walks will soon turn to longer hikes there.

A few shots from our little walk.

She had to test the light ice that formed on the pond throughout the night.

2010-03-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Seeking Canada's best bathroom

From CBC News::::

Had a bathroom experience lately that left you speechless — in a good way?
Nominations are being accepted for Canada's Best Restroom Award, which honours public washrooms across Canada that are "immaculate," "inviting" and "memorable," according to the award's website.
The contest follows a U.S. competition. Past winners south of the border have not only boasted spotless facilities — they have also included spectacular views and impressive fixtures.
The contest, appropriately sponsored by Cintas Canada Ltd., a company that sells bathroom-management supplies among other things, is accepting entries online until May 10, 2010.
"There is no question that restroom hygiene plays a big role in determining customer satisfaction and repeat business," said Cintas Canada marketing manager Leslie Molin in a release. According to Cintas' website, 95 per cent of people surveyed "say they avoid establishments with dirty restrooms."
Ten finalists will be announced in July, whereupon the best bathroom will be decided through internet voting. While the only prize is bragging rights, and attention for victorious washroom, the winner will be announced in September at an awards gala.

I sometimes dread the thought of using Public Restrooms but i will give credit where credit is due. When shopping out of town I avoid certain places and one of the Stores that I have no qualms about using the Restroom is Kents Building Supplies in Corner Brook. I shop there about once a month and have always found the Bathroom there immaculate. On the other end of the scale is the Restroom in a Service Station near St. Georges on the TCH. I have never went there yet and found it tidy no matter what time of Day i dropped in. I wonder how anyone can actually eat at the Restaurant there if they use the Bathroom when they enter?

2010-03-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

From VOCM News.

O'Rielly Family Holds News Conference

It will be two weeks tomorrow since Donna O'Rielly left her job at a New Brunswick shopping mall, and disappeared from her closest family and friends. Her family believes she was abducted in the parking lot. They have offered a $25-thousand reward as a final effort in asking the public, or even the person responsible to come forward with information. RCMP continue to treat her disappearance as a missing persons file. O'Rielly's daughter, Karen Streek, says it's hard for the family to remain optimistic.The 54-year old O'Rielly lived in this province before moving to New Brunswick.

Meanwhile RCMP in Moncton have released two still images from mall surveillance video the night she vanished. Police say the two images show a man and a woman separately at the rear entrance to the mall near the food court at different times. They believe the individuals could have been in the parking lot at the same time O'Rielly was leaving work from the south entrance on February 26th. RCMP hope releasing the images will identify these people who may offer more information that could help the case. They continue to treat O'Rielly's disappearance as a missing persons file, but her family insists she was abducted. O'Rielly lived in Isle aux Morts and Gander before moving to New Brunswick. The last time O'Rielly was seen was on surveillance video released by police showing her leaving the mall that night.

2010-02-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

Farewell and thanks for the memories. Years ago when the news in this Province was pretty dismal you always gave us a little smile when you came on the airwaves. I blogged about Billy back in 2006.

Well-Known Open Line Caller Passes Away

A long-time caller to VOCM's open line shows, and a well-known local character has died. Bill "The Moon Man" Sweeney passed away suddenly at St. Clare's hospital on Saturday. He was 72. Bill was a frequent caller to VOCM Nite Line in particular, and former host, the late George MacLaren, was the man who gave him his famous moniker for Sweeney's contention that man never landed on the moon. Bill endeared himself to many, and alienated just as many people with his sometimes argumentative style, all inflected with a devilish sense of humour and a skewed look at life. Bill Sweeney is resting at Barrett's Funeral Home from where the funeral will take place on Wednesday at 12 noon.

2010-02-04T06:09:00.000-08:00

Our Miss Newfoundland and Labrador. Great story and great Lady.

2010-02-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Yeah i know,more sarcasm.

VOCM NEWS:::::::: Premier to Undergo Surgery

Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week, and he's expected to be out of office anywhere from three weeks to three months. Acting Premier Kathy Dunderdale says Williams is the US for the surgery. Dunderdale says the prognosis is good. She says he went to the States following the advice of his physician, and the option to stay here in the province was not given. Dunderdale says the day to day operations of the province will continue as usual, and she is asking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to keep the Premier in their thoughts and prayers. She declined to get into specifics of the surgery or exactly where it will take place. She says there will be a period of recovery, and then the Premier will address the situation. Dunderdale says there will be no quick action taken on any issues including any byelections. The resignation of MHA Elizabeth Marshall to go to the Senate, has left the Topsail riding vacant. Dunderdale says the business of government will go on. They do have legislative deadlines to meet but they will wait until they have a better idea of what the Premier's recovery time will be. Dunderdale says they will not get ahead of themselves. Dunderdale says those who are criticizing the Premier's decision to seek treatment in the United States, rather than here in the province, need to reserve their judgement until all the details of his condition are revealed. She says the Premier has full confidence in the province's medical system and he was very grateful to the health professionals who have treated him so far. Dunderdale says the procedure he has to undergo is not offered here. She says people need to have patience until the details are out.

The Opposition Parties are wishing Williams a speedy recovery. Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones says her thoughts and prayers are with the Premier and his family. NDP Leader Lorraine Michael says at this point she doesn't have any concerns about the operations of government.

Hopefully our Premier will come out of this ok and be back to work soon. A Facebook site has already been put up for those who wish to comment. Click on the link to go there.

2010-01-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

Getting our first real taste of Winter here on the Southwest Coast of the Island. A few shots i took earlier today.

2010-01-29T13:16:00.000-08:00

VOCM NEWS:

Seal Protest Foiled

A planned protest by PETA against the seal hunt was sabotaged by Cousin Jason of K-ROCK in St. John's this afternoon. A PETA protester, a young woman from Vancouver, was standing outside the Delta Hotel protesting the seal hunt holding a sign saying "Stop the Seal Slaughter" and was joined by someone dressed in a seal suit. The person dressed up turned out to be a Newfoundlander who took off the outfit saying "Down with PETA". She was visibly embarrassed but stayed in her location. Later someone from The Downhome magazine dressed as its mascot 'Salty Dog' came up and put a pie in her face. It caused quite a stir on New Gower Street and the RNC arrived to talk to the protestor.

Story from the Telegram.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals got a taste of its own tactics as one of its seal hunt supporters was pied in St. John’s, N.L., today.
A woman wearing a seal suit was waiting for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to arrive for a speech when a man in a yellow salty dog suit approached.
The seal hunt supporter shoved a cream pie into the woman’s face after knocking off the head of her seal costume.
The man then took off down the street.
Twenty-one-year-old Emily Lavender said she was happy to take a pie in the face for her cause.
PETA took credit earlier this week for hitting federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea in the face with a pie to protest her support for sealing.
Lavender held a sign that said: “Harper Stop the Seal Slaughter” as a handful of seal hunt supporters counter protested.
Lavender doesn’t think it was over the line to pie Shea.
“It was a little tofu on her face,” she said. “It’s not nearly as embarrassing as the blood on her hands. And it’s time she stop supporting the largest massacre of marine mammals on the planet.”
Wallace Ryan of St. John’s told Lavender to leave, that she was embarrassing herself.
He wore a T-shirt that said: “If seals were ugly, nobody would give a damn.”
“We’re here to point out that PETA has incited violence and hate against Newfoundland and Labrador for years,” he said.
Sealers rely on the spring hunt economically, Ryan said, and PETA has no right to interfere

I do hope if we get a PETA protest in our area it'll be the chick in the above photo. I would wipe the Pie off her if ol Salty Dog slapped her with one.

2010-01-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

It's not to often i Blog about the weather but this Winter it's almost ideal from my perspective. I shot the above Pic this morning and it shows that even the Table Mountains have very little Snow so far this year. I also noticed this morning that the Trail to the top near Cape Ray seems bare so i might even attempt to take an ATV Ride up there this Weekend.

2010-01-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

Looks like I'll be taking that Giant leap. I will be starting a Facebook account. Just a note to those who might want to be my friend,* If i don't accept you it's not because i dislike you, It goes way beyond that!

January 16-2010

2010-01-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

A January Walk.

Hardly any snow and the Temperature around minus one so we did a bit of Beach Coming and later walked around the small stream at Cheesemans Park. Hopefully the Weather will continue to cooperate so we can take a stroll in the Wreckhouse tomorrow.

2010-01-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

With an estimated 700 Moose/Vehicle accidents a year in the Province you would expect the Government to seriously look at a Cull along side of our Highways in the Province. Apparently we will be getting one soon and not because of the Moose Vehicle Accidents but simply because the Moose are eating the the trees that grow in our National Parks.

I shot the above photo in Gros Morne National Park last May. It's a good example of what the Moose are doing there and no doubt the population is high in that area. It's possible to see 80 along the roadside from Wiltondale to Rocky Harbor.

Hopefully the Government will take into consideration the people who live within the boundaries of the two Parks and only allow the additional licenses to be issued to those residents.

CBC Story on the Moose Cull here. ( Video )

2010-01-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

A few Photos of the Seashore around Cape Ray today. Temperature + 3 and no snow on the lower elevations. The exception rather than the norm for this time of season.

2010-01-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

This past Christmas i was lucky enough to be given a copy of "The Badger Riot" by the Author herself, JA Ricketts as a Christmas Gift. Judy was good enough to autograph it to me using a bit of humor and for that i really appreciate. So it loks like my first Book to read in 2010 will be the Badger Riot. ( Thanks Mugga )