Today our plan was to visit "The Rooms" which is new,magnificent Museum which depicts the Newfoundland heritage back to the time of the Beothuk natives and generally starts around the mid 1700's.
One of the areas in the Museum, that was impressive was about Nfld's input into WW1 and WW11. During both wars, Nfld was still a colony of Britain so fighting for their Mother country was in their blood. We spent about 3 hours in " The Rooms " digesting their Heritage and Military accomplish during WW1and WW11.
The Rooms also has an exceptional restaurant, located on the 3 rd level which overlooked the city of St. John's and just as impressive is a view of the Harbour. By lunch hour the wait time was 45 minutes and in lieu of standing in line they would take your name and advise you to return in 40 minutes. That is exactly what we and most others do.
One interesting incident which I like was when an Oriental gentleman ( I use the word loosely ) ask the Hostess if he could have a table by the window. She told him that he would get whatever table was empty when it was his turn. He then said he would pay for the privilege for a window table. She was quit stern and said ; we have many nice restaurants downtown, maybe you should try one of them. He eventually got a table but not at the window.
After leaving St. John's we drove to our B and B which would be home for the next two days. Our B and B friends ( Keith and Marilyn ) who we met in MX about 8 years ago invited us to stay with them. We follow their travels on their blog as they are World Travelers. However, we have lunch every summer when they visit there daughter and family in Calgary. They live in a beautiful home about 45 minutes out of St. John's on Conception Bay in an unincorporated village area near Bay Roberts.
I had mention in email to Marilyn that we had a Jigg's dinner for one of our suppers. She then gave us a choice of Cod Fish or Jigg's dinner for supper when we arrived. Three out of 4 voted for Jigg's dinner ( I voted for cod fish ) so Jigg's dinner it was. It was a great meal. We spent the evening swapping stories as Vince and Lynda ( our traveling partners ) had never met K and M but they we made very welcome.
Yes we had a few drinks but NO it was not " Newfie Screech" . cheers
Monday, 10 October 2016
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Nfld Travel Day 8 Sat 24 Sept 16
Today we toured the area around St. John. Our neighbor's in Med Hat are from Belle Island which is an Island off of mainland Nfld and is accessible by a short ferry ride. Apparently, it is not very populated and did not hold enough interest for us so we just verify that it was still there. There are many populated islands in the Maritmes that are accessibly only by ferry, much like the islands off of BC.
We also stopped at Portugal Cove, Paradise and Hollyrood. It is amazing how much time one can spend taking in the coastal scenery , the fishing boats and sail boats in all the little harbours. I think that everyone who lives along the coast must own a boat.
We, us folks who don't live in Nfld also assumed and accepted that Nfld is a "Have Not " province. All the older homes and there are many, were newly painted or upgraded. These houses look great with new siding, window, and gutters. These upgrades are apparent in cities, towns and villages. All this to say: don't believe that Nfld is a" Have Not" province. It is just a well off as the rest of Canada. We spent the whole day traveling around the small coastal towns. Cheers
We also stopped at Portugal Cove, Paradise and Hollyrood. It is amazing how much time one can spend taking in the coastal scenery , the fishing boats and sail boats in all the little harbours. I think that everyone who lives along the coast must own a boat.
We, us folks who don't live in Nfld also assumed and accepted that Nfld is a "Have Not " province. All the older homes and there are many, were newly painted or upgraded. These houses look great with new siding, window, and gutters. These upgrades are apparent in cities, towns and villages. All this to say: don't believe that Nfld is a" Have Not" province. It is just a well off as the rest of Canada. We spent the whole day traveling around the small coastal towns. Cheers
Nfld Travel Day 7 23 Sept 16
As mentioned yesterday , we were stayed at a 12 room B and B which means there were 24 people for breakfast. However, most B and B will allow you to chose one of two set timing such as 8 AM or 9 AM. Although, Elise, were we stayed twice , just said to come to breakfast anytime after 7:30 and I'll make you breakfast. This particular B and B could only seat 12 people at a setting so their timings were 7:30 and 8:30.
Since we did not arrive until late afternoon, we did not have a choose so we had to settle for 8:30 setting which very much suited Carroll, Vince and Lynda since they are not early risers like Yours Truly. However, we, along with the rest of the late shift where in the living room by 8:15 and the early shift where in no hurry as they were swapping travel stories and gathering info on each others adventures besides gulping down there 2nd , 3nd and possible 4 th cup of java. So we all helped ourselves to coffee and swapped our adventure until the early group left.
Many travelers, who work for a living often use a B and B in lieu of a hotel. I noticed a note on the entrance door of this B and B which read: Harry, you are in room 7 tonight, signed Lucy. I'm sure if they are on first name bases, it was not his first time here. Also there were a couple of "younger" residence who just grabbed a cup of coffee and where gone.
Yesterday I mentioned that I spoke to a couple who had been to Botwood, about 20 KM from our B and B and toured the Aircraft Museum and it sounded most interesting. After breakfast, we headed for Botwood . They have an Aircraft Museum and a Museum of the area. The cost was 4.00 for one Museum or 6.00 for both. What a deal, we rolled the dice and when for both Museum. However, Carroll's idea of visiting a Museum is a quick walk through. The aircraft Museum was excellent and our guide was very informative and interesting.
The 1st building was about the Botwood Aviation History. I won't bore you with the details except for a brief exposé but I think you will find it very interesting if you look it up on goggle.
Aviation began in Botwood as early as 1919. The passenger aircraft began flying in and out of Botwood in 1937 and were actually called Flying Boats. Pan America Airways and British Imperial Airways used Botwood as their Base on this side of the Atlantic. I will mention that both Roosevelt and Churchill have visited Botwood Air base. At the beginning of WW11 the RCAF took over the Botwood Air Base and enlarge it for Military purpose. They gave it back to Botwood in 1945. If you go to Nfld it is well worth you visit to stop at Botwood.
The morning was now shot; so we headed to St. John's, first to find a B and B and to travel around the area, which we saved for the end of our journey. We could not find a B and B so we opted for an Inn which we thought come with breakfast but it did not. It was an Old, Old Hotel/Inn ( I'm not sure of the difference ) but the rooms where great.
Some of the NATO fleet where in port as they had just finished an exercise on the East coast and the sailors where on "R and R" or as they call it "I and I". If you need an explanation send me an email. The biggest ship , of course was from the USA and it dwarfed our so called ships. We tried to get close to the US ship and accidentally drove down the wrong road. We were met by a Cdn Military Policeman, a female US Military Police and a Cdn civilian guard. The guard came to the car and I guess we looked like tourist and we surely did not speak "Newfinees" so he ask where we were from an once Vince said , Sask, and then the stories were flowing. This gentleman was a retired teacher like Vince and Lynda and he had a daughter in Sask, bah bah bah. The cops paid no attention to us and after 20 minute we left as we were heading for a brewery in Quidy Vidi ( pro.. Kitty Vidi ) for a tour and free beer.
When we did got to the Brewery it was 4 PM and the last tour was at 3 PM. However, were invited to return tomorrow morning at 11 AM for a tour and beer. I said , tomorrow is Sunday is it not; and the lady said "you point being". I said ( with tongue in cheek ) we would come right after church. I then got the lecture from Carroll for being a smart ass.
We called it a day and returned to our " room at the Inn " and watched hockey. cheers
Since we did not arrive until late afternoon, we did not have a choose so we had to settle for 8:30 setting which very much suited Carroll, Vince and Lynda since they are not early risers like Yours Truly. However, we, along with the rest of the late shift where in the living room by 8:15 and the early shift where in no hurry as they were swapping travel stories and gathering info on each others adventures besides gulping down there 2nd , 3nd and possible 4 th cup of java. So we all helped ourselves to coffee and swapped our adventure until the early group left.
Many travelers, who work for a living often use a B and B in lieu of a hotel. I noticed a note on the entrance door of this B and B which read: Harry, you are in room 7 tonight, signed Lucy. I'm sure if they are on first name bases, it was not his first time here. Also there were a couple of "younger" residence who just grabbed a cup of coffee and where gone.
Yesterday I mentioned that I spoke to a couple who had been to Botwood, about 20 KM from our B and B and toured the Aircraft Museum and it sounded most interesting. After breakfast, we headed for Botwood . They have an Aircraft Museum and a Museum of the area. The cost was 4.00 for one Museum or 6.00 for both. What a deal, we rolled the dice and when for both Museum. However, Carroll's idea of visiting a Museum is a quick walk through. The aircraft Museum was excellent and our guide was very informative and interesting.
The 1st building was about the Botwood Aviation History. I won't bore you with the details except for a brief exposé but I think you will find it very interesting if you look it up on goggle.
Aviation began in Botwood as early as 1919. The passenger aircraft began flying in and out of Botwood in 1937 and were actually called Flying Boats. Pan America Airways and British Imperial Airways used Botwood as their Base on this side of the Atlantic. I will mention that both Roosevelt and Churchill have visited Botwood Air base. At the beginning of WW11 the RCAF took over the Botwood Air Base and enlarge it for Military purpose. They gave it back to Botwood in 1945. If you go to Nfld it is well worth you visit to stop at Botwood.
The morning was now shot; so we headed to St. John's, first to find a B and B and to travel around the area, which we saved for the end of our journey. We could not find a B and B so we opted for an Inn which we thought come with breakfast but it did not. It was an Old, Old Hotel/Inn ( I'm not sure of the difference ) but the rooms where great.
Some of the NATO fleet where in port as they had just finished an exercise on the East coast and the sailors where on "R and R" or as they call it "I and I". If you need an explanation send me an email. The biggest ship , of course was from the USA and it dwarfed our so called ships. We tried to get close to the US ship and accidentally drove down the wrong road. We were met by a Cdn Military Policeman, a female US Military Police and a Cdn civilian guard. The guard came to the car and I guess we looked like tourist and we surely did not speak "Newfinees" so he ask where we were from an once Vince said , Sask, and then the stories were flowing. This gentleman was a retired teacher like Vince and Lynda and he had a daughter in Sask, bah bah bah. The cops paid no attention to us and after 20 minute we left as we were heading for a brewery in Quidy Vidi ( pro.. Kitty Vidi ) for a tour and free beer.
When we did got to the Brewery it was 4 PM and the last tour was at 3 PM. However, were invited to return tomorrow morning at 11 AM for a tour and beer. I said , tomorrow is Sunday is it not; and the lady said "you point being". I said ( with tongue in cheek ) we would come right after church. I then got the lecture from Carroll for being a smart ass.
We called it a day and returned to our " room at the Inn " and watched hockey. cheers
Friday, 7 October 2016
Nfld Travel Day 6 22 Sept 16
We left Cornerbrook and headed for Rocky Harbour with a plan to visit Gros Morne National Park. We spent too much time in Rocky Harbour so we cancelled Gros Morne. We never know how many stops we have to make along the way so we don't like to book a Band B too early in the day. Our first stop is a service station for fuel and we hope to get one that sells fuel for 1. 25per L . This the lowest price we have seen in Nfld. In Alberta this would be reason to start WW111. However the best we could do was 1.33, so like it or not that's want we had to pay.
We then headed for Rocky Harbour which is a "Tourist Trap" haven. It has many curio stores and just as many restaurants.We did a driving tour of the area and found a restaurant that "Tickled our Fancy " so we checked their menu which seemed acceptable. They also had a sovereign store attached to the restaurant so they get you coming and going.
The restaurant food was excellent and we again drummed up a conversation with a Newfie couple which was not only interesting but also informative about the area. We realized that we had whiled away most of the day so we started to for a B and B. We found one in Grand Falls- Windsor so headed for that city and to find our home for the evening. We were surprised on our arrival because it was a huge house with 12 rooms but it was still a B and B, which means we get a breakfast. We were lucky as we got the last two rooms.
After settling into our room and polishing off a beer, we then did a driving tour of the city. We ask the host about a restaurant and she suggested Sara's which serve family style food. The Chief Cook and Bottle washer , who also doubled as the cook ask if we came in for his specialty which was Jigg's Dinner. We said that we would give it some thought and he said, well you need to decide quickly as those two gentlemen who just walked in will likely order Jigg's Dinner and I only have 4 left. So we ordered the Jigg"s Dinner. The vegetables were great but the corn beef tough as shoe leather.
For those who are not informed ; Jigg"s Dinner consist of salted Corn beef soaked in the fridge overnight and placed in a Dutch oven for 2 hours and then the
vegetables are added. They consisted of cabbage , carrots. potatoes, turnip, a spilt pea pudding ( not my favorite ). You can also use turkey in lieu of Corn beef which I prefer.
Later in the evening at the B and B, I went to the kitchen ( of the B and B ) to make a cup of tea. I drummed up a conversation with a "younger " couple who were sorting thru their picture. During our conversation they mention about an Air Force museum with a very strategic Air Force base at Botwood, Nfld during WW11. Botwood is located about 20 KM from Grand Falls. I spend 30 years in the Air Force and I never heard of the place or the word of Botwood. Therefore I ( we ) will put this on our list for tomorrow. cheers
We then headed for Rocky Harbour which is a "Tourist Trap" haven. It has many curio stores and just as many restaurants.We did a driving tour of the area and found a restaurant that "Tickled our Fancy " so we checked their menu which seemed acceptable. They also had a sovereign store attached to the restaurant so they get you coming and going.
The restaurant food was excellent and we again drummed up a conversation with a Newfie couple which was not only interesting but also informative about the area. We realized that we had whiled away most of the day so we started to for a B and B. We found one in Grand Falls- Windsor so headed for that city and to find our home for the evening. We were surprised on our arrival because it was a huge house with 12 rooms but it was still a B and B, which means we get a breakfast. We were lucky as we got the last two rooms.
After settling into our room and polishing off a beer, we then did a driving tour of the city. We ask the host about a restaurant and she suggested Sara's which serve family style food. The Chief Cook and Bottle washer , who also doubled as the cook ask if we came in for his specialty which was Jigg's Dinner. We said that we would give it some thought and he said, well you need to decide quickly as those two gentlemen who just walked in will likely order Jigg's Dinner and I only have 4 left. So we ordered the Jigg"s Dinner. The vegetables were great but the corn beef tough as shoe leather.
For those who are not informed ; Jigg"s Dinner consist of salted Corn beef soaked in the fridge overnight and placed in a Dutch oven for 2 hours and then the
vegetables are added. They consisted of cabbage , carrots. potatoes, turnip, a spilt pea pudding ( not my favorite ). You can also use turkey in lieu of Corn beef which I prefer.
Later in the evening at the B and B, I went to the kitchen ( of the B and B ) to make a cup of tea. I drummed up a conversation with a "younger " couple who were sorting thru their picture. During our conversation they mention about an Air Force museum with a very strategic Air Force base at Botwood, Nfld during WW11. Botwood is located about 20 KM from Grand Falls. I spend 30 years in the Air Force and I never heard of the place or the word of Botwood. Therefore I ( we ) will put this on our list for tomorrow. cheers
Thursday, 6 October 2016
Travel Nfld Day 5 21 sept 16
While having breakfast in Gander and pondering the days travel , we drummed up a conversation with the young male waiter. He had the real Newfie ascent and was quite informative. He convinced us that we should go to Cornerbrook, some 3 hours away because, for one thing the scenery was much different than the coastal scenery which is Water and Rocks.
The drive was the TransCanada Hwy (TCH ) all the way and it went thru the city of Bishop Falls which has a population of 14,000. It's claim to fame is that it has a Power Dam that supplies power to that part of the Island.
We stopped for lunch in Deer Lake but finding a restaurant wasn't easy. First of all , Cities and Towns in Nfld grew up around business that supplied the work for the people , so from what I see there was no "town Planning " hence it appears to be a hodge-podge layout so street wind around the housing as opposed to straight lines like we are use to. We could have stopped on the TCP but they only had the preverbal fast food outlets and that was not our "cup of Tea ". We finally settled on a restaurant called Jungle Jim's which is a chain throughout Nfld. It is a Pub but with a descent menu Varity.
A couple at our next table where from Ont and we swapped stories about our travels. I ask what he did for a living and he said he work in the Funeral business. I said I kind of picture that as a Dead End business and as he swilled his beer he said not really but he does handle a lot of dead people.
We got to Cornerbrook in the early afternoon and found our B and B. As expected it was a large home with 4 rooms "all upstairs" and again the owner lived next door. After dropping off our luggage we drove around the city checking the downtown area and the harbor.
Conerbrook as mentioned is a harbor city and is build on a Rock. You can travel in 2 directions up or down and they are steep. We as a resident about driving in the winter time and he said if you don't have studded tires you don't go anywhere. And I believe him.
Cornerbrook has a huge pulp plant which is the cornerstone of the economy. They also have a big harbor but we only seen one ship. I met a worker from the oil rigs that drill out in the Ocean and he said that supply ships work out of Cornerbrook. I guess they were all at sea the day we were there.
We found a restaurant for supper which said Pub and Fine dinning. They got the Pub part right but the fine Dining needs some Fine Tuning. We waited too long for our food so I got a knot in my face and complained to the waitress. Final our food came and she knocked 20 % off the bill, which didn't make the food taste any better but it did help the pocket book.
After supper we returned to the B and B where we met another couple. They where teachers much like Lynda and Vince so they swapped stories. They were from Edm and I noticed they had a layout of a house plan on the table. I ask if they were building a home in NFld and they said no; it was a plan to renovate their Condo in Ottawa. Apparently they have a son and a daughter in Ottawa complete with G/Kids whom they visit often. I said ( tongue in cheek ) can't you just stay with them for a few days and they lady said no way; daily visit for a few hours is sufficient.
I returned to my room to watch while the other three swapped stories with their new found friends. cheers
The drive was the TransCanada Hwy (TCH ) all the way and it went thru the city of Bishop Falls which has a population of 14,000. It's claim to fame is that it has a Power Dam that supplies power to that part of the Island.
We stopped for lunch in Deer Lake but finding a restaurant wasn't easy. First of all , Cities and Towns in Nfld grew up around business that supplied the work for the people , so from what I see there was no "town Planning " hence it appears to be a hodge-podge layout so street wind around the housing as opposed to straight lines like we are use to. We could have stopped on the TCP but they only had the preverbal fast food outlets and that was not our "cup of Tea ". We finally settled on a restaurant called Jungle Jim's which is a chain throughout Nfld. It is a Pub but with a descent menu Varity.
A couple at our next table where from Ont and we swapped stories about our travels. I ask what he did for a living and he said he work in the Funeral business. I said I kind of picture that as a Dead End business and as he swilled his beer he said not really but he does handle a lot of dead people.
We got to Cornerbrook in the early afternoon and found our B and B. As expected it was a large home with 4 rooms "all upstairs" and again the owner lived next door. After dropping off our luggage we drove around the city checking the downtown area and the harbor.
Conerbrook as mentioned is a harbor city and is build on a Rock. You can travel in 2 directions up or down and they are steep. We as a resident about driving in the winter time and he said if you don't have studded tires you don't go anywhere. And I believe him.
Cornerbrook has a huge pulp plant which is the cornerstone of the economy. They also have a big harbor but we only seen one ship. I met a worker from the oil rigs that drill out in the Ocean and he said that supply ships work out of Cornerbrook. I guess they were all at sea the day we were there.
We found a restaurant for supper which said Pub and Fine dinning. They got the Pub part right but the fine Dining needs some Fine Tuning. We waited too long for our food so I got a knot in my face and complained to the waitress. Final our food came and she knocked 20 % off the bill, which didn't make the food taste any better but it did help the pocket book.
After supper we returned to the B and B where we met another couple. They where teachers much like Lynda and Vince so they swapped stories. They were from Edm and I noticed they had a layout of a house plan on the table. I ask if they were building a home in NFld and they said no; it was a plan to renovate their Condo in Ottawa. Apparently they have a son and a daughter in Ottawa complete with G/Kids whom they visit often. I said ( tongue in cheek ) can't you just stay with them for a few days and they lady said no way; daily visit for a few hours is sufficient.
I returned to my room to watch while the other three swapped stories with their new found friends. cheers
Nfld Travel day 4 20 Sept 16
After leaving our B and B in Carmanville we headed for Twillingate which many people think is a must see: I have a different opinion. We stopped at several small town mainly for the scenery and or a picture or two. While driving along, near lunch time we spotted an sign ( actually a shingle ) advertising a Seafood Restaurant on the Ocean. Being the adventurist type we took the " bait " so to speak and went to the restaurant . It was a great experience.
The restaurant was built hanging over the wharf. They had an underwater camera connected to a TV so you could see the fish under the restaurant . This place was definitely not built to code but I'm sure many of the small building and home are not to code in Nfld. However, we had the best Seafood chowder so far. This place is also a Harbour for fishing boats and there were a few tied up. The restaurant owner was a husband and wife team. We talked to the husband about the fishing business and he does some Lobster fishing "in Season " and he has a tank that hold 6000 lobster just for this small restaurants. He said they had already gone thru the 6000 Lobster so they now had to buy from a supplier which is more costly.
After lunch we continued on to Twillingate in Notre Dame Bay and did a driving tour around this harbor town of 2300 population. It is known for it Fruity Wine and of course we stopped for a taste. It is the first winery that I have been told there is a limit of 6 tasters. They don't want anyone driving under the influence. I did not like their wine but I bought a bottle for our B and B host.
When we left Twilligate we had to look for a B and B which was not easy. We finally located an Inn at Lewisporte which means no breakfast provided. The next morning I went for a walk along the harbor and I counted 75 sail boats tied up. There were no fishing boats that noticed. cheers
The restaurant was built hanging over the wharf. They had an underwater camera connected to a TV so you could see the fish under the restaurant . This place was definitely not built to code but I'm sure many of the small building and home are not to code in Nfld. However, we had the best Seafood chowder so far. This place is also a Harbour for fishing boats and there were a few tied up. The restaurant owner was a husband and wife team. We talked to the husband about the fishing business and he does some Lobster fishing "in Season " and he has a tank that hold 6000 lobster just for this small restaurants. He said they had already gone thru the 6000 Lobster so they now had to buy from a supplier which is more costly.
After lunch we continued on to Twillingate in Notre Dame Bay and did a driving tour around this harbor town of 2300 population. It is known for it Fruity Wine and of course we stopped for a taste. It is the first winery that I have been told there is a limit of 6 tasters. They don't want anyone driving under the influence. I did not like their wine but I bought a bottle for our B and B host.
When we left Twilligate we had to look for a B and B which was not easy. We finally located an Inn at Lewisporte which means no breakfast provided. The next morning I went for a walk along the harbor and I counted 75 sail boats tied up. There were no fishing boats that noticed. cheers
Thursday, 29 September 2016
Travel Nfld Day 3... 19 Sep 16
Last night's B and B was great. Elise is a single lady and has 5 rooms in this house. She lives down stairs in a suite. She also has a 3 bedroom house and two cabins that she rents like an Inn, meaning no breakfast. She was very accommodating and said we could have Tea, coffee and some cookies she baked for us.
After leaving Port Blandford we travelled up the Bonavista Peninsula right to the Light House at Cape Bonavista. This light house is open for tourist ( at a price ) and it was very interest to see how a Light House keeper and his family functioned. I can not see this as an enviable job. Also located in the area was a statue of John Cabot and his achievements and a museum which feature the life of other "Famous" people from the area. I could stay and read about them all day but I only had 1 out of 4 votes.
We left Cape Bonavista heading for Carmanville which is were our B and B is for tonight. Our plan was and always is, to stop at any small harbor town that looks interesting. We stumbled over the town of Musgravetown and while driving around to look for something of interested we ended up on the pier where a fishing boat was tied up. The crew from the boat was off loading nets and straightening them out on the pier. As we found out later this fishing vessel was contracted to do a Crab survey for the Federal fisheries. Anyway , I suggested we "get the hell" off the wharf because they are normally out of bounds to triflers like us. Lynda insisted on asking to take a picture and of course they wanted to know where we were from. Once they found out we were Prairie folks, the first mate insisted that we get on the boat and have a look at it. The first mate was the father of the Captain and he own the boat before passing to his son. The father said he was too old to be a Captain anymore.
The Captain came to the wheel house and showed us all the latest Technology that is required to run a vessel like this, It can hold 125, 000 lbs of fish. There is two of everything such a radar, latop, GPS etc and if he is in trouble the Coast Guard can track him to within a foot. Also his wife can see him on his boat with the push of a button. It was an amazing tour of a fishing boat.
We have now whiled away the entire morning so we need to head towards our next B and B. This will take us thru Gander. We stopped in Gander for lunch and then high tailed it for Carmanville because we do not want to be looking for a B and B in the dark.
We arrived at our B and B about 6 PM. Again the lady live in the house next door with her family, however is welcomed us and was very friendly. There was one other occupant ( Harold from Ontario ) who was traveling alone since his wife died 2 years ago. He has traveled throughout Nfld and was a wealth of knowledge for us. He and I stayed up way past our bedtime as he had the Rye and I as many stories as he did.
After leaving Port Blandford we travelled up the Bonavista Peninsula right to the Light House at Cape Bonavista. This light house is open for tourist ( at a price ) and it was very interest to see how a Light House keeper and his family functioned. I can not see this as an enviable job. Also located in the area was a statue of John Cabot and his achievements and a museum which feature the life of other "Famous" people from the area. I could stay and read about them all day but I only had 1 out of 4 votes.
We left Cape Bonavista heading for Carmanville which is were our B and B is for tonight. Our plan was and always is, to stop at any small harbor town that looks interesting. We stumbled over the town of Musgravetown and while driving around to look for something of interested we ended up on the pier where a fishing boat was tied up. The crew from the boat was off loading nets and straightening them out on the pier. As we found out later this fishing vessel was contracted to do a Crab survey for the Federal fisheries. Anyway , I suggested we "get the hell" off the wharf because they are normally out of bounds to triflers like us. Lynda insisted on asking to take a picture and of course they wanted to know where we were from. Once they found out we were Prairie folks, the first mate insisted that we get on the boat and have a look at it. The first mate was the father of the Captain and he own the boat before passing to his son. The father said he was too old to be a Captain anymore.
The Captain came to the wheel house and showed us all the latest Technology that is required to run a vessel like this, It can hold 125, 000 lbs of fish. There is two of everything such a radar, latop, GPS etc and if he is in trouble the Coast Guard can track him to within a foot. Also his wife can see him on his boat with the push of a button. It was an amazing tour of a fishing boat.
We have now whiled away the entire morning so we need to head towards our next B and B. This will take us thru Gander. We stopped in Gander for lunch and then high tailed it for Carmanville because we do not want to be looking for a B and B in the dark.
We arrived at our B and B about 6 PM. Again the lady live in the house next door with her family, however is welcomed us and was very friendly. There was one other occupant ( Harold from Ontario ) who was traveling alone since his wife died 2 years ago. He has traveled throughout Nfld and was a wealth of knowledge for us. He and I stayed up way past our bedtime as he had the Rye and I as many stories as he did.
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