The View From Our Back Deck, Port Maitland, Nova Scotia
Gales
It’s November in Nova Scotia, and that means the gales have begun! Being at just about half-way between the equator and the North pole, Nova Scotia is subject to some very strong winds. These occur as the cooler air from the North mixes with the relatively warmer air from the south and creates an unstable weather pattern – and some very strong winds. The timing is interesting, because it’s also just before the lobster fisherfolk head out for the first pf the season here, in boats loaded with lobster traps in an event called “Dumping Day” – the day the traps are first dropped over the side to fish for the crustaceans we’re famous for.
Our home is situated so that the windows on one side of our house face due west and so look out over the Bay of Fundy, and often in the pre-dawn, we seem to have had a small city spring up overnight, as we look out and see the myriads of lights from dozens of fishing boats as the lobster traps are routinely hauled very early in the morning. We also witness the full force of the wind on the sea, and the awesome power and beauty that are evident at the same time.
As climate change cause the oceans to rise, I do sometimes fear for our marshland, as only a small rise in sea level would be needed to have a November storm breach the outer beach wall of rock and sand, and cause the entire pond to simply become a new coastline! When we built our home here 15 years ago, we thought about putting it near the pond, but now we are very glad we didn’t as the site down low near the pond at some point may become a new marsh, if the current rate of change keep up.
As we sit here and watch the gales blowing the sea into a froth, we think of the efforts of those who work to provide us with food, and give thanks for their efforts, but also pray for their safety. Here’s to a safe and successful lobster season, and cheers to those who brave the late fall Nova Scotia weather to make their living at sea!
