Low Tide

Low tide is a good thing.  I have finally found a website that accurately posts what times the tide will be low each day.   We went back to Harris Smith Bay/Beach on Saturday when it was low tide.  This was such a good thing, because I was able to find many, many colorful sea shells!  I want to collect these shells in order to make gifts such as valentines or picture frames.  I have just gotten this bright idea - and we may be leaving in May, so I need to start collecting them!  The problem is - that there are only certain beaches where you can find the shells. I think it has to do with the reefs that are off the coastline.  But, Harris Smith has some great sea shells.  The picture above was taken at low tide - you can see all the brown coral in the foreground - that coral is not visible at high tide.

Most all of the shells that I was finding were small shells, but as I was returning from the beach - walking with my feet right at the edge of the cool splashing water - out of no where this shell just landed right in front of me - it was my gift from the sea.  It is the biggest one I have ever seen and it is perfect - no chips or broken parts.  It is my treasure and I just wanted to share it with you:

This is a small shell that Alisha and I find when we go to Port St. Charles on the west coast.  I am hoping to find enough of them to make her a bracelet (shh, don't tell her :-)).









Back to Harris Beach, anyway to my surprise, we also had some company at the beach this last Saturday.  This was the first time that Gary and I had visited this beach during a low tide, but there were four other Bajans there.  A husband and wife were collecting sea eggs and sand roaches.  Both of which are used as fishing bait.  They were very proud of what they had caught that morning and were very happy to show me their finds.  Two other older ladies were walking towards me with buckets as well - I thought maybe they had more sea eggs, but no - they had mussels and clams - one of them described to me what she was going to do with those mussels.  She was so happy with her catch - you could just see her eyes dancing - she was also toothless!  She was so pretty to me and she explained to me how she was going to boil them and then she made some special pickled relish to go with them.  Yes, I bet that was a fine meal indeed - no tourist will ever get that sampling of food on this island - can not be found in the hotels or markets.  I really enjoy anytime that I can get into the country side and talk with the real people of the island - they are very lovely, special people.

This is a rare shell that I have only found 3 of so far - but, it is purple!













This is the typical shells that I am finding at Harris Beach, but they should work very well on picture frames and some valentines.








Well, the tide started rising and the rain came down - so, we left Harris Beach and went next door to Bottom Bay to spend the rest of the afternoon.  Turned out to be a great day.

I will make a side note about one particular local Bajan that is always at Bottom Bay - Gary and I have nicknamed him Grouch.  He seems to always be in a bad mood.  But, he also seems to be the owner of the beach chairs that are down at the bottom of this bay.  He offers the use of these beach chairs for 20.00 BBD (10.00 USD) which we always gladly pay him.  It is his way of earning an income.  But, funny enough on Saturday, Grouch was at the top of the cliff overlooking Bottom Bay, and he was giving the what for to someone standing at the bottom.  And the tirade went on and on and on, I didn't think he was ever going to stop yelling.  Something really bothered him that was for sure.

Gary and I had a good laugh as well - watching some newbies to the island - trying to get into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  There is a specific way that a person can make it past the wake and into the ocean waters, but just walking in and bracing for the onslaught of waves - is not that way!  There were 6 of them - they looked like Southern Americans (you'll have to ask me offline - why I think that) and they marched down into the water.  Two of them crashed immediately and after being rolled over and over with the waves that are harsh and the sand going everywhere - they crept back up to the beach and didn't return.  The other four braved it a while longer, and I'm sorry to say that we laughed at them - but, it was quite funny - because we knew exactly what was going to happen to them before hand.

One last note for today.  I went this morning to my morning workout class and was hugged by one of the ladies - Sidi.  I can not tell you the feeling of gratitude that came over me for getting that hug.  So, if anyone is out there that is single and feels like you need affection from a spouse - let me tell you, having gull friends is quite nice as well!  Have a good day, my friends!  Love, Vickie