LOUISBOURG EVENT

There's a storm called Irene coming up the eastern coast but this did not deter the CB Island Hoppers from completing our scheduled 10k walk event at the Louisbourg lighthouse, Sunday 28 August.

As seen in this photo the ocean along Havenside Drive was calm while the clouds drifted by. Only a light breeze made for a a very relaxing walk along the coastline and we were delighted not to be rained on for the duration of the walk.
The walk leaders Shirley Pettigrew and Carol Hiscock lead us from the picnic area at Kennelly Point then along Havenside Drive for a return trip to Kennelly Point, a distance of 5k.
After a short break we headed towards the Louisbourg light and then along the fairly new and much improved Coastal Trail for the additional 5k. to makeup for our 10k event. The coastal trail continues to Gun Cove, where General Wolf disembark large cannons that eventually were dragged along this same area to the lighthouse to be used against the fortress.
Normally, there are great views along the coast but the infamous fog banks at Louisbourg soon rolled in to take over and hide the small islands, and small outcrops of rocks that are numerous in this harbour. Unfortunately Fortress Louisbourg, that can normally be seen from different points along the trail was shrouded in the fog as well.

Elsie Buck & Lucy Nardini emerging from the forest and through the fog!

You Can See More At  Photo Gallery!
located at upper right side of this page!

HIKING/WALKING UP AND DOWN HILLS

HIKING/WALKING UP AND DOWN HILLS

Here are some helpful hints found on the website:

http://footmatters.posterous.com/hiking-up-and-down-hills

Up Steep Hills: The biggest mistake climbing the hills is to get up on their toes. Keep your heels down; this will stretch out your calf muscles and Achilles tendons and reduce cramping and strains and keep your soles on the ground where they belong for more traction.  Slow down by shortening your steps, don’t try to race up the hill, slow down and enjoy the view.

Down Steep Hills: Like going uphill, shorten your stride and slow your pace. Bend your knees slightly to lower your center of gravity downward but not back. Too much leaning back and your feet will slide out from under you.  Be careful not to turn your feet at an angle to the trail; it will increase your chances of rolling over on your ankle.  Keep your toes pointed down for the best grip and stability.

WHALE WATCHING TOUR IN CHETICAMP

7th - 10 OCTOBER, 2011 WEEKEND ADVENTURE: GROUP WALK EVENTS, THANKSGIVING DINNER AND NOW A WHALE WATCHING TOUR http://www.loveboatwhalecruises.ca/

CB Island Hoppers and friends!

Please help by distributing to our members who do not have email or access to the web as quickly as possible.

As the Thanksgiving long weekend (7-10 October) in Cheticamp Cape Breton, walking events will soon be upon us the CBIH (Cal Thistle) has been following up on an additional adventure for the weekend activities.

If you are interested in a Whale Watching Tour we have negotiated a 2 - 2.5 hour tour with a discount price of $16 per person, however we need/must have 30 or more (55 max) committed persons to ensure we have the discount!!

Our discount Whale Watching Tour will be (depending on weather conditions) Sunday 9th Oct @ 2pm with a possible alternate date Monday 10 Oct @1pm.

Please contact CBIH for reservations ASAP on or before this Sunday 28 August at:

bretonhoppers@hotmail.com or rajcoombes@ns.sympatico.ca

After this date we cannot guarantee a suitable discount price!

More details of the tour are available at:

http://www.loveboatwhalecruises.ca/

A brochure for the weekend activities in October is available at all walk events or may be sent as an attachment upon request.

Rollie Coombes, email website coordinator for

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Walking for Fun,Fitness & Friendship
www.capebretonislandhoppers.com

www.walks.ca

HIKING AT DUNDEE

Sunday 21 August, 2011 Dundee Resort and Golf Course

Kathi at Dundee!


More photos are found on "Trail Photos" http://cbislandtrailphotos.blogspot.com/

The adventure for this event began when driving from Sydney to St Peter's with road construction and then turning off HWY 4 in St Peters. The road to Dundee when not traveled very often seems quite long and has many SSSS turns! However there are excellent views along the way and once at Dundee there is a very nice beach area.

Today's walk was our first event at Dundee and was attended by 21 adventurous walkers who enjoyed the excellent weather conditions for hiking along the nature trail that borders on the Dundee Golf Course. The first part of the trail is a natural path through the woods with small bridges across two streams and continues uphill to the very edge of the golf course.

Where did they go?
After departing the forest the trail meanders along a gravel road with views of the Bras d" Or Lakes and the greens of the course ending near the club house.
This is a great walk for everyone of all ages and could be modified for all abilities.
Immediately after the event most of our members and guest enjoyed dinner on the patio deck at the club house and a surprise birthday cake was served in honoring  our long time friend Shirley Pettigrew.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY!

Congratulations to your club for this accomplishment!

The Island Hoppers on the trail at Albert Bridge, Mira Provincial Park during the annual National Walking Weekend.

The following message has arrived from BenoÎt Pinsonneault, President of the Canadian Volkssport Federation

Joe MacKinnon,

I finally made my choice concerning the 2011 President's Challenge winner.  My choice was the Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club.  Your club's name will be added on the trophy.  This recognition will be published in the next Volkssport Canada issue.

Congratulations to your club for this accomplishment!

Benoît

 

BenoÎt Pinsonneault, President CVF, National Convention, Whistler BC

After the walk!

After the walk event in Glace Bay on Sunday 14 August some the  Island Hoppers enjoyed a dinner at "Dock Y'ur Dory" in Port Morien about a 15 minute drive from downtown Glace Bay.

The sign above says it all and everyone is happy after the meal!

 

Elsie Buck, Lloyd Bailey,Norma Skinner and Elsie and Ann on the patio deck overlooking Morien Bay.

Johnny Miles Volksmarch, Sydney Mines 07 August

A small but enthusiastic group of club supporters ventured out to Sydney Mines for the Annual Johnny Miles Walk Event on Sunday,07 August 2011.

The event was completed in two stages of 5ks each along the streets of Sydney Mines and out to the beaches at Lloyd Cove and then onto the area known as Cranberry

Above: the beach at Lloyd Cove

Above: we take a short break at the beach, in the area known as Cranberry!

GLACE BAY SEASONAL EVENT CVF -192

Notice TO VOLKSSPORTERS:

You may have seen on the news that NS is having gas shortages, Gas Bars, service station are running out of fuel due to an accident at our largest refinery.

Therefore as of Yesterday 01 August, the CO-OP Gas Bar that houses CBIH SEAS Event - CVF -192 is closed until more fuel arrives.

The hours of operation for this business will be sporadic over the next few weeks or month!

Volkssporters, local and from outside of the area should call before heading to Glace Bay.

Call me at 902-849-0747 and I will do my best to get you signed in and provide copies of our walk directions.

I will make arrangements to have your IVV books or insert stamped, once this little crisis is over!

I have tried to recover the walk box to no avail, however it would not be of much advantage anyway.

Rollie Coombes, Glace Bay, CVF - 192 Seasonal Walk Contact Person

bretonhoppers@hotmail.com

AUGUST WALK EVENTS

August is a great month for Walking for fun, fitness and friendship with the Island Hoppers. 


First Event:
Annual Johnny Miles Volksmarch
Sunday 7 August
Registration begins @ 1:30pm
Start Time: 2:00pm
Location: Sydney Mines, Recreation Field on Pitt Street
Distance: 5k & 10k
Trail Rating: 2B
This is a figure "8" Walk Event within the streets of Sydney Mines, through a park, a beach area and past the Johnny Miles statue. "This is not a parade event!" All club members and local enthusiastic walkers are invited to join the community of Sydney Mines and the local Johnny Miles Association on this leisurely walk for Fun, Fitness and Friendship!

Second Event:
Annual Seasonal Group Walk Event in Glace Bay
Sunday 14 August
Registration begins @ 1:30pm
Start Time: 2:00pm
Location: 99 Reserve Street, Glace Bay, parking lot adjacent to COOP Gas Bar
Distance: 5k & 10k
Trail Rating: 2B
Our walk will take us through a series of parks, Renwick Brook/Queen Elizabeth and The Cameron Coal Bowl, a quick stopover at the Miners Museum, and along a portion of the coastline of Glace Bay, plus a view of the GB Harbour and the fishing fleet located here!

Third Event
This event will get us back out on the trails in the beautiful setting of the ....
Dundee Golf Course Trails
Sunday 21August
Registration begins @ 1:30pm
Start Time: 2:00pm
Location/Directions to Start Point: From Sydney take Hwy 4 to the village of St Peters. Continue over the canal bridge and then turn right at the signs for Sampsonville/West Bay and Dundee.
Distance: 5k & 10k
Trail Rating: 3C

Fourth Event

The walk will begin at Kennelly Point picnic area on Havenside Road, Louisbourg - B1C 1P5

Louisbourg Lighthouse Trails

Sunday 28 August

Registration begins @ 1:30pm

Start Time: 2:00pm

Trail Rating 2C

A fabulous coastal walk including the site of the oldest Lighthouse in Canada and the second oldest in North America 

For further information on all of the above walk events you may contact the club President Joe MacKinnon: joeandelsie@ns.sympatico.ca or the club e-mail address: bretonhoppers@hotmail.com