Sunday, March 25, 2012

Navy Island CleanUp #3: bonfire by the "8-Mile" marker

Week #3 of the Clean-up series found us (myself and an initially small group that grew with time heading to the  beach at the western point of the island. The shallow water is laid with a dark bed of seagrass which makes it prime habitat for both sea urchins (sea eggs) and conger eels, but the crystalline shore is still nice for relaxing.

Relaxation of course, was not on our minds, and the thick growth of various trees and shrubs (many almond trees, but other varieties as well) meant there was much to occupy our time and energy. The presence of a chainsaw made the going considerably easier, but there was still a considerable amount of  "elbow grease" required, not only in clearing leaves, limbs and other detritus, but in hauling stuff back to the main entry point for  final transport.

Gratitude to local fisherman/caretaker, the industrious Elvis Thomas, his cohorts, and several of the ladies in the group, for putting together a tasty rib-sticking lunch of seasoned rice (with pumpkin and saltfish bits), to the boat pilots and all the Marina hands who have assisted in the process thus far.

Oh yes, the title of this blog. Well, the Clean-up experience has turned up some intriguing and unusual discoveries (including a cannon) but you can imagine my amazement at encountering, about 30 yards from our actual clean up spot, a concrete mile post, deposited from God-knows-where, laying on its side, with the number 8 visible at the top. Wherever that original 8-mile spot is (the photo here is not the actual article), it must be quite a memorable spot for the person to choose to comemorate it on an island.

We retun to "8Mile" and the rest of Navy Island next week.  

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