Another Day, Another Turtle File.

From Snapping Turtle to Snapping Sails in One Hour

Same bridge, same turtle, different attitude.

I think the turtle caught wind of me as I stopped my motorcycle beside the bridge and creek south of Belmont. He suffered my intrusion for only two minutes before backing up and drifting away. 

During future visits he was almost always harder to find. I call him a Nervous Nellie.

He gives me a good look-over before drifting under the bridge.

I motored next to Port Bruce, my home away from home. I go for the BLTs and Key Lime ice cream at the Corner View Restaurant and stay for a walk with one camera always at the ready.

On this particular day in September, 2017, it was a good day for sailing and walking along the beach.

Photos From Along the Way:

I eventually decided it was time for a dip. Photos to follow from a different angle.

Please link to Mr. Snapper and a Pit Stop.

Photos GH

Mr. Snapper and a Pit Stop.

Port Bruce Retrospective September 2017.

I stop at a bridge to look for a large snapping turtle. Yup, he was home!

A nice piece of the countryside SE of London.

One mile north of New Sarum Diner and No. 3 Highway (south of Belmont), there is an east-west side road that soon crosses a wee bridge if one travels east on it. I think it is Edgeware Rd.

Curiosity caused me to stop on the first couple of occasions, as I wanted to look under the bridge to see if there were any mud swallow nests. And there were a few, but one day I spotted something even more interesting.

I was surprised and delighted. I had not seen a snapping turtle of such a size in many, many years!

Okay, this spot just became my favourite little pit stop!!

I had a second camera in my pocket. Not bad. He's not moving!

I am just east of the highway that goes south one mile to No. 3 Highway

I have returned to that spot several times and never again got such good photos of the mysterious and elusive Mr. Snapper.

Photos of my main pit stop over the last ten years of motorcycling follow:

Port Bruce 2017

 My 1994 Yamaha is third from left.

1994 Yamaha Virago 1100cc, first on left.

I will not be travelling as frequently to my two favourite pit stops in the future. I am on the verge of selling my bike and getting off the busy highways and side roads in order to provide time for further adventures in some other form.

I will miss the bike to be sure, but I will revisit favourite destinations - w cameras in hand - and post photos here.

Stay tuned.

Please link to Paul and Ollie at Port Bruce. Go For the BLTs, Stay for a Swim.

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles 2019 (4).

Port Bruce Under Sunny Skies

Jonathan Livingstone has one of the best seats in the house.

In spite of the fact I had not been on the Yamaha Virago in three weeks, it started right up. I had a two-pronged ride in mind initially, first to Port Stanley, then onwards to Port Bruce.

Somehow, with my mind wandering - the steady rhythm of the motor and 180-degrees-worth of sharp scenery does that to me - while heading south from London, I made a left turn at the Glanworth curve and found my nose was pointing toward only one target.

They must have seen me coming. The chef at The Corner View handed me the largest BLT I have seen in a long time - if ever - after my first short walkabout for photographs.

Beside the channel, I focus on where the sea meets the sky.

While I checked out the horizon the gulls looked me over. So did the OPP. I think one of the constables said, "Whatch you lookin' at!?", as he passed me by.

 Original size from the GoPro. Beautiful day!

The bike plays lovely tunes while on the road and I admire its reliable, adventurous nature. This 1994 model owes me nothing. 

Another original size photo from the GoPro. 

After lovely rides I park my bike near the back of the house. I let it cool off for an hour or so before I place two bike covers over it. I'm not the type of person who wants it in the living room or who can fix any engine or other mechanical problems that might occur. But I do occasionally stand back and admire its practical nature and think of it in artistic terms.

It's just a machine.

And it's just a whole lot more.  

And so was that BLT!

Please link to Motorcycle Miles 2019 (3).

Photos GH