Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers...

Family Additions…

Yup, they did it again… in 2023 we welcomed Tillie May 8th. She was a lively pup and must have been related to the Energizer Bunny. Tillie found the best forever home in Halifax last July and we still visit her when we get to the city.

This year the date of arrival was May 6th when Ash delivered a healthy boy and girl in the early hours of the morning.

This week we named the pups. We are continuing in the “wood name tradition”. Rimu is our boy, named after a New Zealand coniferous tree, formerly known as red pine.

Our girl is Willow. We live on Willow Street and are naturally partial to that name.

Juggling everyday chores and puppy cuddle time are becoming more routine now. We have also had numerous visitors drop by to cuddle the tiny ShihTzus. There is nothing more exciting than puppies at springtime. 😊

Evergreen Content

“Evergreen Content” is a term we have all heard before, especially bloggers who have been at it for a while. I began blogging as part of the various websites I have created and maintained since 2008.

I began FundyContemplations as a daily blog site on June 1st, 2021, long before I entertained the idea of starting a custom tour company. I have been diligent and with well over 1,000 posts covering mostly local hike destinations one of the recommendations from the team who designed my new ParrsborShoreTours site was to scale back on the number of blogs I am publishing, create more evergreen content and perhaps look at other ways to promote.

This topic kept dancing around my mind during last month’s solo hike around the Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail and the idea of publishing a monthly newsletter along with two or three blog posts per week began to crystallize.

I just spent the better part of my afternoon updating the Free Hike Destination Index. It took longer than planned… partially because I have been putting it off since last fall, the other reason: I accidentally deleted a huge chunk of the index with one wrong keystroke 😩.

All is well: the index has been restored, augmented and updated and remains a free reference for anyone interested.

What are your thoughts on a newsletter? What topics would be of interest? Your input matters, so feel free to leave a comment below.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone. Cheers, Anna

Patterns Created by Wind and Waves

Anyone who has followed my blog for a while knows how much I love the ever-changing landscape. The tides present new surprises every time the beach emerges. Enjoy the offerings today!

Phinney Green on Victoria Day…

…with friends. A perfect day for a beach hike. Tranquility, sunshine, like-minded people, clouds reflecting in the Bay of Fundy and nothing but time!

Merchandise, anyone?

My sewing machine has been working overtime lately.

I am finishing up a small run of limited edition string backpacks in four colour ways. These are designed specifically for family tours with children. Everyone has to have a bag to keep their treasure map and special treasures for safe keeping.

What thrills me the most is that my heat press is finally put to good use. I had purchased it two years ago… The heat transfer logos were ordered from Ninja and I am very pleased with the crisp design and ease of application.

Back to work… deadlines are looming! Happy long weekend, everybody!

Red Rocks in West Advocate

Enjoy!

Wild Roses…

Among the first green buds bursting open are the wild rose bushes lining the beaches. I am anticipating the blooms permeating the air with their sweet scent in just a few more weeks.

Five Islands Provincial Park Official Tour Operator

After dotting every “I”and crossing all ”Ts”, signing the contract and submitting the annual licensing fee I am finally able to share the exciting news: Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers is the official tour company to conduct guided hikes, interpretive walks and custom tours within Five Islands Provincial Park.

The lengthy and in-depth application process was definitely worth the effort. Receiving the license for the next four years enables me to broaden the area I operate in.

Spread the word! Book a tour! Reach out with special requests! Custom tours for small groups are our speciality!

The Pebble Hunter

Pebbles from the sea

Deposited by the tides –

Colours, stripes and hearts!

Different Angles from Phinney Green Beach

Hard to believe these are the same sea stack formations! See them with your own eyes, book a tour!

Monday Morning at Rocky Lake

Light mist was rising as I made my way to the Halifax Search & Rescue training centre for one more day of learning this morning.

When the sun emerged this visual haiku caught my attention. A visual haiku is a capture of two seasons… here we have autumn and spring, soft green tips unfurling and crisp brown leaves still hanging on after last winter.

Happy Monday!

Weekend to remember…

From tenting in the forest, S.O.A.P. note taking, evacuating injured individuals, immobilizing suspected spinal injuries, night time and early morning drills with multiple casualties, to splinting: this weekend did not disappoint! One more day to get advanced certification and it’s a wrap!

Heading to my sleeping bag in the woods for one final night with planes overhead, trains barrelling alongside and highway traffic nearby! What we don’t do to keep our skills up-to-date! 😊

Chasing Northern Lights

The world has Aurora fever and I slept through it ast night! After a long day of training outdoors culminating in a night maneuver I only have the energy to look up before I slip into my tent.

It’s overcast and there is light pollution… wishing everyone a restful night!

Night in the Forest

I am back in Lower Sackville this weekend for my Advanced Wilderness First Aid Module. What better way to spend Mother’s Day weekend than learning first aid skills, swatting black flies and tenting in the forest?🤪

I scouted my preferred spot last night and staked my tent after class today. Here is to sleeping soundly in the forest while the train rambles past and the airplanes take off from the Halifax airport.

I miss Cape Chignecto…

Emerging…

…ferns unfurling! Unmistakably spring!

NS Walks Day 2024

Parrsboro had a great turnout for their walk this morning. We wrapped it up with a nice lunch at the Harbour View Restaurant.

For the afternoon we headed down shore to West Advocate for a lively group of of adults and children!

My heart is full! Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a huge success!

West Advocate: Red Rocks

One of the major landmarks along the beach near the starting point of the Cape Chignecto Trail is the Red Rocks Formation. A little driving tour this afternoon had us climb these sandstone rocks, admire the patterns and striations and enjoy the stunning views from the top!

Clark Head in Flat Light…

Sharing my favourite local beach at the end of the day. We stopped under the arch and enjoyed a freshly made cup of coffee. The perfect way to end a slightly gloomy day!

New Season = New Tour Clients!

There is no better way to spend Sunday afternoon than with a fresh tour booking to officially kick off the 2024 season. Soley Cove beckoned and it was glorious! My happy client was glad she didn’t have to worry about the tides and when she should turn back to avoid being cut off. She welcomed the countless photo ops along the way. Thank you, Leeanna for letting me show you around the Jurassic Coast Cliffs of Soley Cove!