This past weekend we spent 24 hours camping in La Manche Provincial Park - hiking during the day, cooking over a campfire in the evening, making up drinking games, hiking again during the night, and just enjoying ourselves in general!
Camping Buddies!
After saying farewell to Elizabeth's sister, who was setting off to Nova Scotia to start a new job, we made the hour long drive to La Manche camping site in the early afternoon on Saturday. Luckily, all of the supplies that we forgot to bring with us (tp, ice) we were able to pick up en route. Good thing we didn't forget our (10 man) tent!
The weather was perfect for a day of hiking - sunny but not too warm - and the coastal scenery on our way down to La Manche was looking beautiful.
The weather was perfect for a day of hiking - sunny but not too warm - and the coastal scenery on our way down to La Manche was looking beautiful.
Once we reached the campsite and met up with the others we headed straight out for a hike up to Doctor's Cove, via La Manche village and the suspension bridge. After a short walk up a dirt road from the campsite we reach the trail proper.
Making our way past "fairy arches" and sunbathing frogs we quickly arrived at the deserted La Manche village. Settled in 1840, the village used to be a fishing harbour and was known as one of the best fishing coves on the Southern Shore. However, due to the landscape the village remained tiny, with a population ranging from 7 to 55. A severe storm hit the settlement in 1966, washing away the village's fishing supplies and infrastructure, as well as most of the homes.
All that remains of the small village now are the crumbling concrete foundations of the houses and the odd set of steps leading nowhere. Here we took in the view and stopped for a snack before pressing on across the suspension bridge and on to Doctor's Cove.
Making our way past "fairy arches" and sunbathing frogs we quickly arrived at the deserted La Manche village. Settled in 1840, the village used to be a fishing harbour and was known as one of the best fishing coves on the Southern Shore. However, due to the landscape the village remained tiny, with a population ranging from 7 to 55. A severe storm hit the settlement in 1966, washing away the village's fishing supplies and infrastructure, as well as most of the homes.
All that remains of the small village now are the crumbling concrete foundations of the houses and the odd set of steps leading nowhere. Here we took in the view and stopped for a snack before pressing on across the suspension bridge and on to Doctor's Cove.
With the sun shining it was a really nice day to sit around and watch the waves crash on the strange rock formations at Doctor's Cove. All told the hike took us between 2 and 3 hours, giving us plenty of time to set up our tents and start a fire before dark.
In the evening we enjoyed a barbecue with beers, rakia, and a brand new (and very enjoyable) card/drinking game we created called Buddies.
In the evening we enjoyed a barbecue with beers, rakia, and a brand new (and very enjoyable) card/drinking game we created called Buddies.
When the food was finished and sun was set we decided to head out for a second hike from the campsite up to a waterfall. It was a fairly easy going hike, which was ideal as we were lighting our way with lanterns and head torches as we made our way among the trees and over boardwalks. A couple of times we had to stop to take in the breathtaking view of a red moon hanging over misty lakes. We tried to take some photos, but the pictures just don't do it justice. When we finally reached the falls we couldn't see them, but at least we could hear them! We did manage to get a photo of the moon reflecting on the stream.
After a very cold night sleeping in our gigantic ten man tent, we had a great campfire breakfast of eggs and bacon before packing up and heading home. It was a really fun weekend hanging out with friends on hikes, and around the fire, and we can't wait to go camping again!
As a general update, our next blog post will be delayed because we're going to San Francisco this week! We have a bunch of things planned and we're looking forward to sharing our trip on the blog.
To clue up the post, here are some more pictures from our Camping Saturday:
As a general update, our next blog post will be delayed because we're going to San Francisco this week! We have a bunch of things planned and we're looking forward to sharing our trip on the blog.
To clue up the post, here are some more pictures from our Camping Saturday:
