GRAND MANAN, N.B.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:44 AM GMT on February 27, 2009

Large red sun over Ross Island this morning, red sky in the east with a hint of haze in the harbour, temp already on the plus side at 2C, what little breeze we have is southerly . A damp windy weekend this way comes it is reported.

Rob not getting off to Poley till Sunday, the mild weather and moisture travelling inland, a postponment of a few hours a wee bit disappointing, however as long as it is on good enough.

Emily has a buddy in overnight, a good start to the March break. She is busy planning the days off between a couple of chances to babysit the week should be moving along for her in good time.

A number of clammers on the beach between here and Ingalls Head wharf this morning, same amount yesterday before supper.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:39 AM GMT on February 26, 2009

Partial cloud cover, wind WSW @ 10-15KPH, temp -1C rising on the plus side, tomorrow heading toward double digit temps with rain. Weekend nice temps in the offing, but what kind if any type of precip still being decided.

Rob anxious to avoid rain, the Poley trip in jeporday but can be rescheduled for the following weekend. He and his group looking forward to the experiance in a big way.

A few of the boats still scalloping, and hauling a few traps, haven't head what the price is doing in either fishery this past week or so.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:51 AM GMT on February 25, 2009

Great looking morning, bright sun over Ross Island, daylight seems coming much earliar these days, a good thing. A slight breeze from NW, temp -1C to rise on the plus side with sun all day, double digit temps and rain coming for the weekend.

Reports from St.John indicating if temp rises too fast or there is moisture a fear of flooding a real possibility. Anywhere in that country will be at risk for certain.

Completion date of the complex drawing nye, final inspection looking for 9 MAR 09. The main tenants should be moving in a little at a time prior to that, must say it is impressive.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:49 AM GMT on February 24, 2009

Attempting to clear, a slight breeze from the west,-5C to rise near 0 by this afternoon. Temps to moderate with rain by Thursday with a possibility of more by the weekend.

To say we got snow yesterday would be like a British understatement. Lots of snow with a 2 inch layer of slush at the bottom. Had to hire the yard ploughed the fourwheeler would never have moved it just added to the mess. The warmer temps should get the pavement out in the yard in a couple of days and get rid of the ice.

We had intermittent power outages before daylight, but across the channel in Maine 145K customers knocked off the grid, will be days before service restored. In our area only heard of St. Stephen being hit for prolonged outages.

Kids enjoyed another day off school, am told a total of eight days lost to weather so far this year.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:57 AM GMT on February 23, 2009

A bit of a breeze, appears more northerly than NE, temp right at 0C will climb on the plus side for a little as the day moves along. Sky attempting to clear to the east, a good sign things have passed storm wise.

Power out early AM our snow fall remained a rain/snow mix, not much snow survived that I can see. Just enough to further add to the mess in the dooryard, and on the roads. The road infront of the house is clear, still no school for the kids today.

The southern exodous will be gaining momentum as the week unfolds, some with no kids in tow will be getting underway this week, another sure sign of season change coming.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 12:07 PM GMT on February 22, 2009

Calm for the moment, harbour no sign of movement of any kind, oil like. Temp -6C,can look for southerly winds this afternoon, starting with a rain snow mix undecided if that is what we are getting for the duration or not. Quite severe wind and precip of some type over next 36 hours, a 'weather bomb'.

Emily remains on White Head, Rob home for a couple of hours then summonsed, if he took his guitar, to another friend overnight. A busy weekend for them, will be some drowsy teenagers around this evening.

Another sign of change of season coming, yesterday at least two large flocks of brant in air over Duck Island Sound, none in the harbour as yet.

Similar temps yesterday as enjoyed by CHUNKS, a great day in the bush, lots down and a few loads in the yard. The sunrise snap taken off our verandah, looking not too bad out there right now.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:50 AM GMT on February 21, 2009

Mostly overcast, -4C, WSW 25-30KPH. A nice looking day and part of tomorrow, more snow or rain headed our way. Moderation appears the weather pattern for next week.

Emily on White Head last night, and probably will attempt to make it another if all goes well for her. Rob overnighting with one of his guitar playing group. I dropped his stuff off, the house was full of I suppose music, electric guitars can get it out there.

A number of black ducks huddled together infront of the house this morning, staying close to shore in hopes of capturing a bit of lee from the wind.

Good morning to drift into the bush, at least get some trees down, ready for hauling home. Enough daylight now that can get a trip or two home after work, the easterly sun showing up noticeably earliar thesemornings.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:50 AM GMT on February 20, 2009

Calm, snow flurries coming to an end, near rain I would suggest. Temp -1C,expected to stay in this range for the weekend with another snow event on line for Sunday.

A lot of snow yesterday during the day, whiteout conditions on occasion, lots of wind to keep it on the move. Expected to be doing some ploughing after work, fortunate for me Mother Nature kept the snow on the move across the road into the bush. By the time I got home snow had changed to a pretty good saturating rain, too much to get on the ATV had it been nessecary.

Complex nearing time to turn over to the Village, final work on the floors underway this past few days. The big holdup still the geo thermal heating being turned on, along with the various alarm systems. A bit of co-ordination for the parties involved and should be in commence.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:48 AM GMT on February 19, 2009

No red sun this morning or impending storm. Snowing/blowing in fine style at the moment. Temp a bare
-1C, easterly 30-35KPH with much higher gusts. Wind to increase 35-45KT E to SE, appears temp will change our snowfall to rain this afternoon. Temp to be around 5C, wind to switch to a westerly influence.

Trip to the big smoke, hectic between two appointments, no great problems. All hands had a chance at assisting in salvaging the local economy, a little power shopping not a bad thing.

No school today visibility way down at the moment, if it carries on at this level for a couple of hours a major amount of the white stuff will in the yard.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 10:25 AM GMT on February 18, 2009

Can't tell what sun is doing over Ross Island as yet, be a another hour before it appears. Is calm, overcast, temp -2C. Expected to remain calm for till tonight then a hang on scenario this way comes. Gale force SE & E in the offing for a day or so. Lots of snow with a hint here in the bay will at least be mixed with rain. At least a couple of days of 'unsettled' weather in the offing.

Group shuffling about for ortho trip, Donna's dad getting a check up on his eyes. By the time I do the chauffering my CANADIAN TIRE walk thru might be in jepordy, not a pleasant thought.

The annual southerly migration starts next week, cruises and warm beaches beckon. Have no idea if the numbers that have made the trip in past years will be sustained in this economic climate, plus the CAD now below $.80USD puts quite a premium on cross border travel.

CHUNKS will have to remind her son and heir that glasses belongs on his head not on the other end. Works better and less expensive.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:48 AM GMT on February 17, 2009

Partial overcast, high tide, large red sun over Ross Island, total calm, temp at zero, anticipate on the plus side during the day. A couple of inches of snow overnight, shouldn't present a problem.

The complex nearing completion with the final clean up underway prior to being turned over to the community. The skating has been halted with the break in the weather, renforces the need for an artifical boost to enable proper use of the arena.

Ortho trip tomorrow, weather to co-operate a major disturbance on Thursday and Friday. Lots of wind snow/rain possible for the island.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:43 AM GMT on February 16, 2009

Overcast, slight draft from N, temp just at the freezing mark. Weatherman indicating little change in conditions for remainder of today, clearing with nice temps next couple of days.

Did manage to get some firewood out of the busy yesterday, with a load or two still on the ground ready to come home. Making progress ever so slightly.

Quiet on the home front, Rob hung around the property most of the time. Emily had a good day Saturday babysitting, then took in a couple of basketball games yesterday in the afternoon.

Ice finally giving it up, reluctantly, in the dooryard. This week should give it quite a rub.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 12:17 PM GMT on February 15, 2009

Brisk breeze from NW, appears to be letting up, temp a nice -2C to rise on the plus side as the day moves along. Decent looking weather and temps for the next few days, all pointing to a change in the weather on a regular basis.

Emily will be 15 early this afternoon, can't recall her mother reaching mid teens so quickly. Time just keeps slip sliding away as they say.

Rob did some skating between the house and seawall, quite a sheet of ice to work on. A little time in the bush with me in the afternoon makes for a relaxing weekend for him.

Fishery news remain quiet, lots of weather and market prices the now and what they will be in a few weeks great cause for concern.

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SATURDAY, VALENTINES DAY

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:55 AM GMT on February 14, 2009

Brisk this morning, temp -6C westerly winds 35-40KPH, coming on a little more as the sun climbs up from behind Ross Island. So far only partial cloud, giving a POP in the form of snow today and tomorrow. Long range looks good for temps and sun.

Valentines Day, for some reason did remember in plenty of time, should be covered this time around. Must be getting mellow in my old age.

Emily in demand for babysitting two jobs today, starts at 12:30PM till 7:00PM then off to another for the evening. This combined with her 15th birthday tomorrow will give her some cash to shop on her next ortho visit, next week.

The lifeboat drill CHUNKS mentioned unerves some of the local travellers when the drill takes place. There is no announcement that it is a drill to after the excercise is complete.

Good day to be in the bush, getting my last coffee to get my stuff together to do just that. The ability to get around in there, if history is correct, will be over by 21 MAR.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:49 AM GMT on February 13, 2009

Mostly overcast, strong breeze NW gusting to 55KPH, -4C temp. Temp to stay in this range today drop overnight and rise near freezing mark for daytime temps over the weekend.

Basketball tournament again this weekend, hope the weather doesn't deter or have an impact on our visiting teams. A regular test of davits to lower life boat resulted in one of the hydraulic cylinders blowing apart. Resulting in only 130 passengers allowed per trip. Teams have staggered thier arrival times to accomodate the hitch in travellig across the bay.

Few clammers on the beach last evening, none this morning would be a chilly excercise with this amount of wind.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12,09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:37 AM GMT on February 12, 2009

Fog, drizzle, a very slight draft from SE, temp 3C, to remain on the plus till evening. Temp to drop below freezing for next few days, not as dramatic as we have endured this past few weeks.

Quite a number of clammers on the beach from infront of the house to Ingalls Head wharf, no idea of price. A few people picking winkles with the full tides lots of area exposed for harvesting.

The warmer weather will certainly get the ice out of the yard, and knock down the snow in the bush. If it freezes good should be alot easiar to get around on the wood trails.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:51 AM GMT on February 11, 2009

Dreary morning, just a slight draft from SE, looks as if we could have some rain or fog before too long. Temp on the plus side to rise 6C for next couple of days. Weekend looks good with clear and cooler but not fridgid temps in the forecast.

The interior of the complex nearing completion with cleaning now underway on the Boys & Girls Club side of things. Impressive is an understatement, when we are able to get the arena completed a building worthy of community pride. However until the money is found to get the rink up and going will be lacking big time.

Still quiet in the fishery, fellows looking for an indication of what the spring lobster price may look like. Reports are the price is dropping back with no lobsters being landed, certainly a negative sign for the future.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:54 AM GMT on February 10, 2009

A big red sun over the light on Ross Island,calm, cool temp -8C, expected to rise as the day moves along. On the plus side tomorrow with a little rain to help get rid of the ice that still remains in the driveway.

A little ice formed in the harbour overnight, as the tide comes and goes will get rid of that with no problem. No waterfowel pretty dead infront of the house this morning.

Trucks hauling rock to Ingalls Head after 0700 once again. Hard to imagine, but they must stockpile for use on site, in another few weeks road restrictions will be in place. Bring it on winter getting long enough this time around.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:45 AM GMT on February 09, 2009

Clear, very breezy, temp -11C checked windchill coming in at -25C. Next coupple of days like this with a warm spell for the remainder of the week.

Mild weather yesterday relieved quite a bit of the ice out the dooryard. However what remains froze witha a vengenance by dark, a new coating of slippery ice on top of the old treacherous to say the least.

CHUNKS asking about Ross Island Light, looking across the harbour she remains as in poor shape as ever. There have been no southelry wave action to get at her so far. How the remains of the structure stay upright seems to defy the laws of physics.

Quiet in the most aspects of the fishery, very few traps off for lobster. A very few boats scalloping some locally with a few going 'up the bay' hard weather, no place close to hide when a storms show up - a hard time of year to earn a paycheque.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:47 AM GMT on February 08, 2009

Overcast, windy 40-50KPH, 5C temp, looks as if we may get some of the promised rain. Temp to plummet by mid afternoon to well below the freezing mark, then brighten up by mid week.

The mild temps takinga toll on the ice in the yard, a good thing, treacherous for all concerned at the moment.

Rob out overnight, Emily babysitting, haven't laid eyes on her since yesterday morning. She attended the tournament all day then direct to the babysitting commitment. Bathurst defeated our team to move on to the Provincial Tournament.

Took CHUNKS advice had Rob in the bush skidding logs with the ATV. We had a grand time, only from his eyes not at it long enough, plenty for this frame as I had the heavy liftig he was the mule skinner.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 12:39 PM GMT on February 07, 2009

Very cold -12C, calm, beautiful sun well up by this time, temp to rise above freezing with a chance of rain tomorrow, mild for most of next week.

Getting going into the bush this morning, have been there to insure can get around, deep in some places but with a little coaxing was able to get where I needed to be.

Brother and his other half overnight, back this afternoon, one of thier grandchildren playing in Provincial Tournament, quite a crowd here from the mainland. The weather is co-operating for thier time here, not often the case this winter.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:48 AM GMT on February 06, 2009

She's a cold one this morning, -11C combined with a slight breeze from west giving a windchill of -21C as the sun rises over Ross Island. A few fingers of ice from the shoreline and sea smoke making up in the harbour. At least is showing daylight earliar in the morning, and hanging on after supper to a noticeable degree.

Social event this evening middle school dance at 7:00PM which Rob is attending, high school @9:00PM Emily attending. These functions well attended and supervised by the teaching staff, provides a fundrasising opportunity for the Student Council.

Work underway for improvements at Ingalls Head wharf, trucks start going by here at 0700HRS hauling rock, till at least dark so far this week.

Hopefully some weather relief on the weekend, and am able to get fourwheeler around in the bush, could be a challenge with the amount of snow to contend with.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:46 AM GMT on February 05, 2009

High tide looking acaross the harbour, overcast, slight draft from north, cool -8C. The grey sky with the white shoreline on Ross Island quite a contrast. Anticipate clearing with milder temps by the weekend.

Ploughed for an hour after supper, alot of snow accumulated in the yard. Donna suggested might be a good thing if some of the stuff moved around, I had to agree once I got at it. Plough quite a thing, however it is like mowing the lawn - do it enough times - and it becomes a chore not pleasure. Rob would love to do it, am afraid he would see how high a gear he could get it in and stil move snow, speed.

Attempting to find a solution to the arena having to be closed. All parties goal is an attempt to get it moving once again, with the limited time it had been going the ice was used more days/hours than the outside rink was able to go in the past two years.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:46 AM GMT on February 04, 2009

Snow coming down fairyly heavy, no wind to speak of, from NNW @10KPH. Flurries to remain till afternoon no signifigant amount expected. Clear and cold till weekend with above freezing with rain on Sunday.

Kids get another day off school due to the weather, have no idea of what fell overnight. Was blowing around pretty good when we got off the boat.

Trip to St. John and return to Blacks no problem, just a bit of snow on the way down. Donna checked in a couple of times to see where we were, here quite wild by mid afternoon. The snow and heavy wind just getting underway in Blacks when we left for home. By the time we got off the ferry nearly whiteout conditions here. Trip over no problem, imagine the last trip would be a little more eventful.

Did notice summer clothes and seeds on sale in the various stores we visited yesterday. Obviously somebody is optimistic that spring is enroute.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 10:12 AM GMT on February 03, 2009

Overcast, breeze beginning to take shape from the north, temp 1C. A sloppy day in store, gale force from NE, snow later on today, amount of snow yet to be determined the front pushing off to the east as it comes up the seaboard. Lots of weather warnings out for tonight and into tomorrow.

Travelling to St. John with Donna's dad for an eye appointment. Original plan was to spend the afternoon in the city, however weather will dictate what transpires, can get back on the 1:30 if need be.

The rink placed on hold, Fire Marshall, advises closed to the public until the sprinkler system has been certified. A disappointment for sure, exploring ways to appease the Fire Marshall to allow the arena to reopen, with natural ice everyday lost at this time of year can't be made up.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:54 AM GMT on February 02, 2009

A different looking morning, calm, -4C, partial red sky, hazy giving the Ross Island shoreline partially obscured by ground fog with the red sky showing through,impressive. Could be some rain today and tomorrow, looking for wind from north tomorrow.

The volunteer effort for the ice arena continues to marvel with more recruits moving up. Yesterday a Family Fun Day had at least 250 people of ages in attendance, 10 percent of our population. Volunteers had hot dogs and hot chocolate on sale a great effort and kudos to those making it happen.

Good weekend in the woods, several trees down, and a few loads in the yard. This week, after the southerly, looks good for the weekend once again, the window is closing when one gets at it only on weekly appointments.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1/09

Posted by: GRANDMANAN, 11:46 AM GMT on February 01, 2009

Red sky behind Ross Island, total calm, -7C, wind expected to increase west then to SW. Temp to rise with a possibility of rain over next 24 hours. Seasonable after for most of the week.

Started getting some wood home, one trip. Spent the mroning skidding some logs across the beaver pond, to manufacture at a later time. A bit more snow in the yard than I figured to allow Mother Nature to look after it, ploughed that off, surprised at the amount we did accumulate.

Rob skating last evening till his ankles give out, Emily out overnight once again.

Weathee does not deter mom from her weekly tour of the island, she will be 91 next month. I was little behind schedule yesterday she thought the roads must have been bad, but not bad enough not to have a look around, all went well.

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