Port Shoreham: Squalls Across the Bay

Barn, Port Shoreham

The cliche about Nova Scotia weather which suggests change each time you blink was very nearly true yesterday. I left home under a brilliant blue sky with conditions looking ideal. My plan was to spend a few hours outside though I departed with no destination in mind. I had a vague intention to go somewhere I hadn’t visited recently, to sit still for a little while with a sup of tea. I considered the possibility of returning to Hadleyville to the little eroding headland to sit where the Bay and Strait divide. I had my camp chair and a Thermos of hot water.

Storm clouds, Port Shoreham

I drove about thirty kilometers and pulled off to check the Clam Harbour River thinking there might be some nice ice patterns. Nope, a disappointment. I continued on a little further and parked again to photograph a house and barn near the road. Dark clouds closed in.

House, Port Shoreham

The self

Clam Harbour, Port Shoreham

Soon snow began to spit down. The flakes melted instantly. It might as well have been rain. I drove another kilometer and pulled off when I came to the road leading to Port Shoreham Beach Park. The road was gated but provided an ample parking spot. Rather than drive further I decided to hike here before the weather worsened.

Port Shoreham Beach Park

The walk to the beach is about 800 meters mostly downhill. The wind was unexpectedly strong. When I emerged onto the beach gusts were lashing swirls of sand into the air and carrying it along at shin height. The air coming off the water was bitterly cold.

Port Shoreham Beach Park

Port Shoreham Beach

Adopting a meandering plod I advanced with the foamy waves breaking almost at my feet. I enjoyed the noisy tumble of surf above the din of wind screeching across the bay. I could see squalls coming. I anticipated getting wet if the snow amounted to much. By walking into the wind I calculated I could absorb a certain quantity of water then turn and not be terribly chilled with the wind at my back.

Port Shoreham Beach

The Bay at Ragged Head, Port Shoreham Beach

I probably walked a kilometer and a half before turning around. In that span of time several squalls drifted by. One, in particular, forced me to detach the camera from the tripod and store it in my pack to protect it. I was left a little on the soggy side but no water leeched in to my skin.

Port Shoreham Beach Park

At one point as I made my way back down the beach I looked behind me. Uh-oh, I thought, that does not look good. A solid gray mass was advancing. By the time I saw it most of the bay had already been obliterated from sight and I was due to be swallowed within minutes. A few advanced flakes reached me and then the snow came full force. The experience was actually rather fun and, surprisingly, very short-lived. It passed abruptly. For a few moments afterward I witnessed a lovely display of cloud formations. I was in a great location with lots of unobstructed water between me and the action. I could never have planned this in a million years.

Port Shoreham Beach Park

I did not get to sit anywhere, nor did I get to make any tea. Once again what little agenda I set before leaving was foiled. When I reached the car I was soggy but not chilled or uncomfortable. With the squalls and clouds the afternoon had been transformed into a unique experience. I crossed my fingers and hoped some of it had been captured in good form on my memory card.

Snow squall over Chedabucto Bay