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Aug. 12th. - Sorry about the lack of captions and comments on the last pictures.Computer said NO!!(Three days later the Computer said YES and allowed us to add captions, so take another look).Just to add to yesterdays comments about the cod fishery, recently it has been opened a little bit to allow a "food fishery".This means only small open boats are allowed with a maximum daily quota of 5 fish per person and 15 fish total per boat.This is for a period of 2 weeks only in summer and again in fall.
As it was another misty morn, the library beckoned to update the blog and read emails from family and friends. Journeying south east, there was a homemade sign advertising Bakeapples for sale, so a small jar was purchased just to try them.In various parts of the island people with buckets have been picking them.They grow low to the ground, are orange and look something like a small blackberry.The advice was to put lots of sugar and cream on them!Stay tuned for updates and photo.
Driving around the Northern Avalon Peninsula today took us through villages with names such as Heart's Delight, Heart's Desire and Heart's Content.The latter housed the Cable Station Provincial Historic Sight.This is where the transatlantic communication cable came in from Ireland, and so a tour was taken of the museum.
Aug. 13th - The weather was quite good when we got up but very soon the fog made driving difficult and then the monsoon hit us! Thankfully this peninsula wasn't as interesting as others so not a lot was missed. It was pointless continuing so an early lunch down a quiet road enabled us to wait out the storm. Within the hour the sun came out but because of bad road signage St. John's greeted us earlier than anticipated.It's a small city and easy to explore.Many of the row houses (adjoining) are painted many different colours which adds to the interest.There was the Cabot Tower to see, Quidi Vidi Battery and village, the harbour with a Canadian warship in dock, and a walk around down town. Dining out at a recommended restaurant was a treat.
And now for Mr. Ted's culinary verdict on the bakeapples --------- eeeeeugh.Even cream and sugar couldn't help.Ten large seeds were counted in one berry.Perhaps buying them as a jelly would have been better.Anyway, the birds got a treat and Pat is still crying over the loss of$5.
Aug.14th. -Nfld always is windy, but today was especially so.The average person is quite short and stocky and needs to be so as not to be blown away!When garbage is put out the pile of bags are always covered with a heavy cloth or fish net to stop them being scattered about. As it was a fine day many people were out mowing their lawns. Whereas our lawns in B.C. go dry and often need little cutting during the summer, being a damper climate here means mowing is a constant job.
Left St. John's and headed south to do the "Irish Loop". Coming across the southern tip, called the Avalon Wilderness Reserve, which is a large plain of bog land with few trees, a Caribou stood and posed for photo's.Those two twits I travel with almost upset me from my perch today.Between Jenny looking for plants to photograph and Pat's momentary lack of judgment when reversing on the soft shoulder, Marigold ended up stuck in the gravel balancing on three wheels.Several people stopped to give assistance and one local chap in a truck went back for a rope, and towed us out.This demonstrated how helpful and friendly the Newfoundlanders are.We couldn't thank them enough.
Aug.15th - 'Twas the night of the big storm!!! Parking for the night on a gravel bar close to the ocean seemed ideal. Then the ruckus began. Fierce wind and rain buffeted the canvas roof, shaking the van while the waves crashed against the bar. Then the thunder and lightning started and carried on for several hours. At one point the lightning strikes were all around us. Pat got up and dropped the roof down while Jenny had visions of us floating away. Getting on the road the storm continued with us trying to drive one way and the wind pushing us another. As we had already decided to start heading west again and book the ferry for Tuesday to Nova Scotia, the weather was not able to spoil our day. After a while it seemed pointless to battle the head wind and so I voted for an early stop.I don't like to brag, but as it turned out the next day, we learned that the road ahead had been closed due to flooding. The forecast is for sun and cloud tomorrow.
Aug. 16th. -What a difference a day makes.Arose to fabulous weather.Pat wanted to visit Gander because that is where he first set foot in Canada with his good friend, Stuart, 32 years ago, and became a landed immigrant.He only intended to have a working holiday for one year before moving on to Australia!What happened?It's still a tiny airport and yet it is world renowned, especially in times of emergency.Lunch was eaten on the banks of the Gander river, but it took a long time because a lot of people were coming down to check how the river had risen after yesterdays rains.They told us it was up over 3 ft.
We are back in Deer Lake now. After leaving here last time there was a big regret that we had not visited the Driftwood Inn and Pub as it looked so inviting. So it was off to the pub. Can you believe it! There was only one draught beer available on tap, and it wasn't working. Undeterred, we tried the only other pub in town, which wouldn't have even registered on the star rating.Pat ordered a pint of Rickard's Red as it was advertised outside for $2.50. They said they didn't sell Rickard's. Pat was getting frustrated by this time and said 'but you have a sign outside' to which they replied 'it's just a sign, we've never sold Rickard's, all our beers are $2.50'! Taking the advice of the patrons, two local beers were ordered and taken to a quiet corner. Within seconds all the other patrons had joined us, like bees to a honey pot, to find out who we were and where we were from. One particularly tipsy man who staggered in and out of the group finally said he had been cut off from the bar because he was bothering people. You couldn't have found a friendlier bunch.
Aug. 17th.- The roads are pretty rough here, I know I have mentioned it before but it's worth repeating. One fellow camper we talked to described how his T.V. set flew though the air after one particularly bad pothole. Even though the Trans Canada hwy. is reasonably smoothas it cuts through the centre of the island, you do have to travel these side roads in order to reach the attractions on the coast. Needing groceries tonight we drove into Deer lake. As one supermarket lot was jam packed with cars we thought it must be a good one to try. Then we saw the stage and heard the minister's voice booming out and realized it was an outdoor church service. The congregation sat in their cars reminding us of a drive in theatre. Yet passing a real church down the roadwhich had no visible congregation, the windows were wide open with speakers broadcasting the sermon.
Aug.18th. - Made an early start so Pat could get to the clinic for a prescription renewal. Then it was off south, slowly making our way towards the ferry, which leaves at 5pm tomorrow. This gives ample opportunity to explore some little areas missed at the beginning. Guess what! We saw a herd of cows and a field - a very unusual sight here. This is the last night in Nfld. and we are camping on the beach with empty fishing huts close by. It seems to be a popular spot with locals who stop by and chat. Fantastic day - sunny with a stiff breeze - ideal for doing laundry.
Cap'n Ted says "All aboard - ferry's leaving".
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