To pick up on yesterday's harbour adventure, I moved on the short last bit to the edge of the playground. I've been troubled over the ongoing debate about cleaning it up. But for me the view over the bay at the moment was gorgeous.
And there's another much bigger controversy going on, a proposal by the energy giant TCE (formerly Trans-Canada Pipelines) to build a pumped water storage plant over on the highest part of Cape Rich. A dedicated local group Save Georgian Bay is doing its best to get the proposal rejected.
The playground itself was still fenced off after the sorms of last November as Council and staff debate what to do. You can see the shallow curve of the water, extending much further in than it used to and here looking brown rather than blue. All the gravel around the playground equipment was washed up by the thundering waves, about a foot or more deep.
The debate is both over cost and whether to restore it as is or just remove the playground, recreate the former beach and leave it like that. Staff recommended the latter, at least until we see where water levels are going to be for a year or two (they're predicted to be even higher), but some on Council want it just the way it was. I think this is one time when Council has to use their common sense rather than just do what voters want.
There are numerous other spots down the shoreline where erosion damage was severe, waves carving spaces out behind the boulders that line the shore.
A gaggle of Canada Geese was following me along the shore.
A single 'lookout goose' was standing up on the rocks looking out for danger.
I turned around to get a picture and the whole group were put on the grass mowing down the grass! I guess the lookout goose said the coast is clear!
There a few really nice homes along the inner side of the road, although the water was washing right across the road here during last fall's storms, so I hope they're prepared. The one on the left is a recent total renovation of an old one-floor stone cottage, quite dramatic and quite a contrast with the grand century old stone home on the right.
A lone sailboat heading out for the day.
And I leave you with this lone canoeist heading along the shore. Wouldn't that be nice!
Unfortunately, common sense is anything but common. Leaders should lead, not follow -- in too many places the supposed leaders have failed and so we have COVID-19 running rampant and construction in floodplains and ...
ReplyDeleteI would love to on that sailboat or be going for a paddle.
ReplyDeleteFrom hot Nashville today (94 F – 34 C) your pictures look so cool. I don’t know if your weather is milder than ours but those photos are refreshing. The renovation of the small house near the old stone house is something that we see here in the US, where planning laws are lax. I did not know it was the same in Canada. In France they are very strict, that is why there are so many pretty old villages, castles, and so on. My mother wanted to add a room to her house near Paris, in the back, and it took her 3 years to get the OK for just one room. Luckily here in Nashville I live in a “historic district” and our 1920s and up bungalows cannot be altered without OK. A 1930 bungalow, 2 doors from mine, had the inside totally gutted and rebuilt but had to keep the same façade, windows, door, columns and so forth, to keep the integrity of the neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteThe view over the bay is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
YOur pictures are all wonderful. I just went for a walk and came back all hot and sweaty. After a quick change of clothes and some cold water, I feel great now and can enjoy looking at your fine pictures. Beautiful shots of the water. And geese galore! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe older stone home, sensibly sized smaller windows to keep in the warmth and not get bombarded by stormy seas. Love its design. Huge boulders, down here the Northland area had a massive storm, rain deluge beyond what anyone thought, a ONE in 500 years they said. Roads washed out, homes flooded, nature can be so fickle at times. Love those sea views.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid storms are only going to get worse in the future.
ReplyDeleteStorms and flood waters sure can do a lot of damage. I wouldn't want to be living so close but oh those views would be lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe water looks so nice with the sailboat and canoe. The geese are funny, aren't they? Dad is very protective of the flock, at all times.
You have a gorgeous area to visit, that’s for sure. The Geese always walk away I find. The lookout goose looks big!
ReplyDeleteThe pic with the canoe is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, we are so fortunate to live so close these large bodies of water called The Great Lakes. However, high water levels are sure creating havoc along our shorelines. Bayfield has already lost it's small beach and Goderich is fighting back. It's nice you have such ready access to the cool refreshing waters of Georgian Bay. I hope your council makes the right decisions and makes them promptly before more damage to the shoreline is done.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately common sense is often lacking in politicians, regardless of their affiliations or leanings.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you like to visit this area. There is a lot of things here to see. The whole harbor area is wonderful to see and the sailboat shot is great.
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