May
3
By Doreen Marion Gee
At great risk of being blacklisted from entering James Bay, I must declare that I love the new handrails on the breakwater at Ogden Point. Certainly I will be hated by the breakwater purists who cling on to the idea of an unimpeded view even as the wind pushes them towards a blue demise on a blustery day. The same people who think destroying "Big Blue" is sacrilege pure and simple. Despite the inevitable pile of hate-mail, let me state the reasons for my unpopular stand.
Years ago, I bought a hilarious notepad with the quote, "You know it is a bad day when you look out the window and your neighbours are shaking their fists at you." Well, that joke may become a reality when I state my belief that the breakwater looks better with the handrails. Trust me, I am a hard-core James Bay purist myself after growing up in this Eden beside the ocean. If any bulldozer threatened to disturb the aesthetics of our world-class sunny beaches and windswept grassy hills, I would stand in front of it. But I still think that the handrails add a beautifully classy touch to the black and grey stark stone pathway. I was expecting an ugly metal beast but was pleasantly surprised by a glossy avant-garde rail that shines all the way to the horizon. It is chic, elegant and understated - a shiny winding path through the ocean. Most importantly, the hand rail is a 'minimalist' design. I could see right through it; the handrail does not obstruct or take away from the view at all. In my opinion, our new addition to Ogden Point does not compromise the breakwater ambiance whatsoever.
After decades of perilously walking on egg-shells down that stony path preparing to meet my Maker at any hint of wind, I can now breathe and relax again as I enjoy the safety of the handrails. Now I just meander down that stony pathway without a care, laughing at the gods as I bathe in the glory of sun, sea and mountains. The previous lack of safety kept me from enjoying the breakwater on those days when the sky is exploding with angry windy storms. And what better time to relish the breakwater as a wonderful outdoor adventure. Now, I can put on my rain boots and face the elements on a thrilling windy walk to the old lighthouse. The handrails have definitely ramped up the safety factor at the breakwater, making it a more comfortable and risk-free experience.
As I (not so gracefully) age, arthritis has attacked my knee joints with a vengeance. For those long jaunts down to the lighthouse, I may soon need a walker or a scooter. Since they thankfully got rid of that horrible cage at the start of the walk and put up the handrails for safety, I now have total access to the breakwater that I Iove with all my heart. Which brings me to the most important reason why I feel that the breakwater handrails are a very welcome addition to our seaside paradise: the new improvements make one of the most beautiful walks on the Island accessible to everyone! Older people and fragile seniors can now enjoy the breakwater because of the safety of the handrails. For too many years, people who were disabled could not enjoy the rapture of the breakwater because their wheelchairs were not allowed on the stony path for safety reasons. But now with the safeguards in place, they too can feel the sun on their back, smell the salty air and savour a breathtaking ocean view that is second to none.
On one of my recent walks along the breakwater with my friend, Peppermint Patty, a woman in a wheelchair rolled towards us with a smile from ear to ear. As we talked, she said "I love this walkway. For my whole life, I have always wanted to go on the breakwater but never could. Now I finally can enjoy it and it is so beautiful out here!" That says it all folks.
Well Doreen, no more invitations to James Bay 'soirees' after this article comes out. And my mug-shot will be plastered on all the milk cartons at Thrifty's as an outcast, a heretic. But it was worth it. I love the breakwater, maker of childhood dreams. Red sunsets, blissful walks through a cool blue ocean. The laughter and joy on sunny beaches.
But I also love the new handrail.