Port Burwell, Port Bruce, BLT 1.

Two For One.

[Photo: Cloudy day view, Port Burwell pier]

Two BLTs for one low price? No.

After visiting Port Burwell before noon on Wednesday I headed west toward Copenhagen, south of Aylmer. When I stopped at the heart of the hamlet, the intersection of Nova Scotia Line and Highway 73, I noticed Dad and Daughters chip wagon (specializing in fish 'n' chips) was open for business.... and I was hungry.

But I was one left-hand-turn and a quick three-kilometre-long motorcycle ride away from world class BLTs at The Corner View in Port Bruce.

Three seconds ticked by while I stopped for passing traffic. Go with the flow, I thought. See two ports in one day, enjoy your favourite lunch.

I turned left and laughed. I'm so spoiled! (See last photo).

From along the way:

 Two Purple Martin houses are very active in Burwell.

 Pleasant day, watched boats enter and exit Big Otter Creek.

 Port Bruce boat channel was site of Fire Dept. tests.

 Port Burwell is in the distance, 10 km. east.

 Burwell is a blip on the screen.

Bike is parked, BLT is being prepared at The Corner View.

Please link to Back to the Beach 5.

Photos GH

Back to the Beach 5.

Favourite roads and sights are part of the journey to Port Bruce nine out of ten trips. And once in a while I discover a new side road that hooks me because of what I think I see off in the distance. That's how I found my favourite barn, in above photograph. 

"What a great workshop it would make!" I said, first time I saw it. I still think so. Lots of room over the door for appropriate signage:

Gord's Birdhouses. Cheep!

Favourite Photos from along the way:

 Turbines all the way to Port Burwell.

 Hazy Day.

 Kilometres click by, from 49,999.9 to 50,000.0

 Fresh nest. Mud is still wet.

 Cheep Condos.

Swallows line up to feed their young.

Please link to Back to the Beach 4.

Photos GH

Gord's Hop Farm 8.

Though the vines might not travel much farther until harvest, they will grow thick with flowers, and the flowers will grow to become aromatic hop cones - coveted by some local, productive brewers.

Hop flowers, early days (as of this a.m.):

Why, I can smell crafted beer already!

Please link to Gord's Hop Farm 7.

Photos GH

The Lure of Port Bruce.

Long List.

Just checked the Weather Channel. 

Could be AOK for another ride to Lake Erie's north shore.

Thoughts are forming....

BLT. Five bucks. Got it.

Quiet beach.

Exceptional views.

Humble surroundings.

Jump in the lake.

Gentle breeze, soothing cup of coffee, rumble of the motorcycle, conversations with Purple Martins, search for elderberries, jot notes in a journal.

Port Bruce, centre of the known universe, serves as a giant magnet to some old travellers.

Please link to more from Port Bruce.

Photos GH

Back to the Beach 4.

King of the Castle with a solid haircut.

Yesterday the Weather Network predicted some rain so I turned my thoughts to projects that needed attention inside my workshop.

Skies later cleared, and I had a window of opportunity to motorcycle to Port Bruce for a BLT lunch and a swim.

But, once I my hands and head are occupied inside the shop - and good tunes get playin' on the radio - I ride to the centre of the universe (end of the pier in Pt. Bruce) by way of my photo files.

Photos from along the way:

Waneeta Beach, w WW2 torpedo : ) rare Yamaha and vintage duck.

Storm brewing over Erie

Round, round, get around. I get around.

Looks like another good riding day on Tuesday.

Note to self: Save up five bucks for the best BLT this side of Jupiter.

Please link to Back to the Beach 3.

Photos GH

Gord's Hop Farm 7.

The First Hop Flowers.

[Photo: Gord's Hop Farm, July 22]

I visit a Mount Salem hop farm occasionally while motorcycling toward Port Bruce, and on July 16 hop flowers could be seen. Earlier than mine.

Photos from Hayhoe's hop farm, 2 miles south of Mt. Salem:

June 11 -

July 16 -

I believe my hops are healthy as well, not as tall as Hayhoe's due to my short and wide lattice, but my vines are longer than last year, I believe. I did not notice flowers on my vines until yesterday, and in a week or two we will have quite the show on the back deck.

Photos from Gord's Hop Farm, one-quarter mile southwest of downtown Wortley Village : )

June 9 - 

July 17 - 

My neighbours' shared fence, last fence over, is covered too.

Yesterday, July 22 - 

Flowers to follow.

Please link to Gord's Hop Farm 6.

Photos GH

Birds, Pt. Bruce and Berries 4.

A Few Surprises!

[Photo: Old-timer on tractor waved to old-timer on motorcycle]

Crossley-Hunter bridge was dead silent until a small tractor rolled by. Few swallows were in the air, and - I was quite surprised - none were under the bridge as in past weeks. I asked myself, have they flown the coop while thinking about brood number two?

I tasted a few small purple berries before returning to my motorcycle. They were indeed elderberries, but the bush did not appear very healthy. Other healthier bushes nearby, which I reckoned were elderberries too, tasted bitter. Not elderberries, for certain.  (My earlier forecasts of a bumper crop do not now include these Crossley-Hunter bushes!) Maybe currants?

I stopped at a couple of other elderberry sites on my way to Pt. Bruce, and my prediction of a "great season for elderberry pies" still stands.

Photos from along the way:

Elderberries, asparagus are between Menno Mex and Luton : )

Lone songster at Crossley-Hunter bridge.

In spite of a few surprises and one regret (I did not take a swimsuit and the water looked and felt lovely), I'll be back on the bike next week, when good weather allows.

Please link to Birds, Pt. Bruce and Berries 3.

Photos GH