Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Bakeapple Picking in Lamaline, NL

Hey there:
      For all you folks from the Lamaline area who may have memories of picking bakeapples over the years these photos may bring back a few memories. I recently took an excursion to Lamaline to pick a few of the delicious berries and did manage to get a couple of gallons. Normally my trip would take me to the Middle Ridge area but these days I don't think I would have much trouble walking the hour hike into the ridge but after picking for several hours I'm not so sure about the hike back out. So this year I spent my time in the area of the Table Rock near Broad Pond as well as behind Piercey Woods.
      While there I took some photos which you may recognize but I must tell you things have changed in my memory at least.
       Enjoy.
Cheers
Barry



As you can see I did manage to get a few. I actually filled the bucket and got about 2 gallons.


The Table Rock near Broad Pond.


Piercey Woods


Piercey Bridge


Closer view of Piercey Bridge


Piercey Brook below the bridge


Here the pit at Piercey Brook.


See Piercey Pond in the distance.


Looking in over the Middle Ridge from Piercey Brook. Too far to walk.


Broad Pond


Big Rocky Pond


Rocky Pond Brook to the left heading to Lamaline.


Rocky Pond Brook to the right heading to Lamaline.


Lamaline Road Sign


Old dump area at Pennie's Hill


Morgan's Island and Green Island


Green Island


The Meadow - Freeman's House


Another view of the Meadow.


Lamaline East from Pennie's Hill


Island Bridge


Back Cove Lamaline


Barasway in Lamaline


Barasway from Meadow Bridge


Remnants of Stacey House in Lamaline


Cousins House in Lamaline East


St. Mary's Church, Lamaline

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Centre Hill Hike in Sunnyside, NL


Hey there:
     After our tour of the GBS at Bull Arm Site Gladys and I went on a 4 hour hike to Centre Hill in Sunnyside, NL which is near the Bull Arm Site.

     Centre Hill is the highest point of land in eastern Newfoundland with an elevation of 384 metres of 1150 feet. The last 400 metres of the climb are the most strenuous. The hike itself takes 2 hours to reach Centre Hill and then 2 hours to come back out. For us it took us a little over 2 hours to get there but it was much easier coming back as it was down hill most of the way.

     There is quite a bit of board walk across some of the marshes but is quite a nice hike. We did see one moose and if you look closely at the photo below you can see the moose on the left edge.

    If you would like to see some more information on the Centre Hill Hike you can check out the website address below.

     http://www.trucesoundfestival.ca/ckfinder/userfiles/files/centerhill.pdf

    Enjoy.
Cheers.
Barry


We are off on the hike.


On the bridge about 15 minutes in.


Here's some of the board walk across a marsh.


You can see the water of Trinity Bay in the background.


Still a long ways to go.


See the moose - little dot on the left middle of the photo. He is there. :-)


Break time.


Centre Hill is in the background - about an hour away.


Across another marsh.


Into the boreal forest - sure is warm.


Another hill to climb.


Time for another break.


Near the top where you can see ponds as well as the bay.


Taking a break before the final ascent.


A place to rest and have a lunch before heading up on the final ascent.


Heading back down.


Gladys bringing a rock to help shore up a tight spot to cross on the marsh.


Resting for some refreshment before we make our final descent.


Gladys racing towards the finish.


Back on the bridge at the bottom again.

Hebron Off Shore Project at Bull Arm Site

Hi there:
     Here are a few photos taken during a tour of the Hebron Offshore project at the Bull Arm Site Gladys and I did August 13.  NALCOR offers free tours of the site where the offshore GBS is being prepared. It is scheduled to go offshore to the Grand Banks in 2016 with first oil being produced in 2017.
     At present there are approximately 2500 workers on the site where they are preparing both the GBS (Gravity Based Structure) and the top side module which includes all the living quarters as well as production equipment.
     Boyd is presently working on the GBS while Therese's boyfriend, Neil is working there too. It is a very impressive site to see. We are hoping to get back in the spring to take another tour to see how it is going. By that time there should be some big changes.
     Once the GBS is finished it will be towed out into a deep water channel and the top sides will be brought out by barge. The GBS will be sunk and the top sides will be mated to the GBS. Very impressive. The photo below of the water shows where the mating will take place.
    Enjoy the photos.
Barry


Here we are on the lookout over the Gravity Based Structure.


Shows the Hebron Project


GBS - you can see the dam built to the left. The water was drained so the GBS could be built. Once finished the dam will be taken away and water let back in.


GBS with the fabrication shop to the right.


GBS again.


Fabrication shops.


Collage of the Top side modules.


Deep water channel where the mating will occur. The water is 170 metres deep.


Mockup of part of the GBS to check out the concrete and to help train workers. This one was actually done for Hibernia but there is one done for the Hebron project which we couldn't see.


Living quarters on site for 800 workers. The flags represent the nationalities with the most people. Notice the Norwegian and American flags along with the NL flag. The Maple Leaf is to the left.