May 30, 2010. Western Head, N.S. Landin Day.

The two cases of beer being carried from the boat to the fishing shack were to be the landing day bribe. A fisherman told us, laughing as he explained the purpose of the beer. "No beer on the boat until all the lobster pots are stacked ashore and the boat is tied to the dock. When Landing Day is complete, the cases of beer are opened for all hands to enjoy," said the boss man.

'Landin' Day is a new term to me, but tomorrow, the last day of lobster season here, is Landing Day, the day when all traps must be on dry land. Rules are strict in the lobster man's life. You never pull up another man's pots to check for lobsters. The size of the lobsters allowed to keep are precise and certainly the time of the year. Yesterday is the last chance to make money from lobsters in 2010 and unfortunately the price is low. under four dollars a pound to the fishermen.

Today we drove slowly along the shore and walked on Beach Meadows. These small fishing wharves are picturesque, from an older era, but they still function today. Each fisherman owns a shack on the shore for the use by the owner of the boat tied up to the dock. The harbors have been protected for hundreds of years with huge pile of rocks. The scenes are endless and beautiful. We drove down every wharf road, big or small and we were not disappointed. Still used today, but all from long ago when fishing was key and the only way out was by sea. It was a valuable lovely day.