St Andrews - To Bike or Not to Bike

Another early start to the day, but this time there are two conference groups staying and they don't let us have breakfast in the verandah room as 'that is closed for a private party'.  We have already collected the starter from the buffet but wonder where to sit. A lady tells us to go to the lounge bar and waves in a general direction. Ask the way from another and she says 'follow me' and then must forget we are behind her as she walks straight into the kitchens!  Perhaps there were so many guests today they needed a hand. We decide to find somewhere to sit ourselves, but no sunrise view across the gardens for us this morning.  Oh well, at least we can borrow the free bikes to cycle to the Nature Reserve, Huntsman Marine Centre and Minister's Island. The latter is only accessible when the tide is low because, like Holy Island and Lindisfarne, the causeway is covered with water at high tide. 

They have helmets to borrow and a bag on the back for putting your belongings in. We have to sign a waiver first to say it's not their fault if we have an accident.  This done we move to the bike rack. Mmm,  the saddles are a tad high. Adjustment is made to their lowest point but one us is still a long way off being able to touch the floor, even on tippytoes. Even the taller of us can only just reach.  I guess if your a very competent cyclist this wouldn't matter, but given the 'wobble factor' we know one of us is prone to, and it's the one who can't reach the floor (unless they 'fall' off the bike) we decide it's an accident waiting to happen. Besides, our insurance specifically excludes extreme sports. We opt for Shanks's  Pony instead. Second disappointment of the day, let's hope there are no more.  We walk to Indian Point, through the Pegan nature reserve and back into town. 

Lots of spiders' webs between the trees. In this situation it's only polite to let ladies go first. 

Towards Indian Point - it's very quiet and peaceful here, in fact we are the only ones on the beach.

We also see an immature Black Guillemot.

Not quite the same quiet story on the point itself, which has an RV campground behind it.  Still pretty good though. 

Weather very warm and sunny with that breeze again, although we understand that the UK is having the same sort of blistering temperatures, so we are not on our own in having good weather. 

We make enquires in the tourist office about walking to the Huntsman Marine Centre, but she informs us that there is not a good walking route there.  Back to the hotel for the car.  It's uphill each time we do this, so our exercise regime is in credit. The Centre gives us two senior citizens tickets even though the youngest is honest enough enough to say that they won't hit the required age until later in the year.  It's not a very big centre, but is part of the University of New Brunswick.  There are some students doing research on seal behaviour, and some giant lobster! Twenty-six pounds and flipping huge front claws.  Wouldn't want to get bitten by those. There are lots of Atlantic Salmon fish farms in Passamaquoddy Bay (accounts for 25% of the local employment) as well as Herring 'weirs'.  Apparently it is illegal to fish wild salmon here now as they have become so endangered through earlier over-fishing.

Lobster Eric outside the marine centre

Eric meets a giant fish.

Next it's off to Blockhouse Point as the tide is not quite low enough for venturing to Minister's Island yet. 

There are three cannon here, placed to protect the harbour at St. Andrews during the 1812-1814 war, when they were afraid that the Americans were going invade Canada .  That's the US coast in the distance.  

The Blockhouse was placed here to protect the cannons, because if they were captured they might be turned on the town. 

We are not sure why they would have needed cannons to protect the water route when the Americans could just walk around from the top of the peninsula, which would be much easier, but we're sure it made perfect sense at the time. 

We swat up on instructions on how to use the guns! Never know when you may need them as we hear that "Donald" is gaining in the polls. It takes eight men to operate so between Eric and us we need another five volunteers. The local militia provided the muskets but you had to bring your own uniform. 

Next stop Minister's Island, where Mr van Horne, who owned the Canadian Pacific Railroad, built a summer home (a mere 80 or so rooms).

The cartoon map has a'S' in the middle of the causeway and we wonder what this means.  Check the key and find that it indicates a good 'selfie' spot. A sign of the times.

Panorama of the Bar Road area between the mainland and the island.

Eric finds a suitable rock from which to admire the view.

Oh no! I don't want to be stranded.

A bit of walking before returning to the hotel pool for a cool down and relaxing swim...

An hour or so later it's a walk into town again for a late lunch/early dinner. Lobster had not been tried before by the non-vegetarian, and today was the day to give it a try. Rather than have to fight with it in the shell, lobster roll was the way to go.  Having enjoyed that the waiter recommended visiting YouTube and watching a demo of how to eat lobster before attempting the real thing. Food very good and delicious orange juice  plus iced water. Yum.

This is a welcome stop for Eric since it's a very hot day.

We find the patio garden at the hotel, which happens to be on the 2nd floor, giving great views out to Navy Island and the coast of Maine behind it. 

We have seen the US coastguard flying up and down in their patrol boat from here; 

and in fact, yesterday our whale watching boat nearly strayed into American waters, but the coastguard cutter was there to ensure that we didn't!

Could be a good place for a sunset view, although it's a cloudless sky.  They also have astronomical telescope that you can bring out to look at the stars.  Looks a bit complicated but might ask for a demonstration later.

A basic sunset shot.

An attempt at some artistry!

And a final silhouette shot.  Boringly we do like sunsets.