The road to the Beaches

So we will be soon leaving the rock, we have seen so much, and had such a wonderful time, we have 4 days to get back to Port aux Basques to catch the ferry so had a good look at the map to see what we might have missed.
Just above the Terra Nova Park, is a road called The road to the Beaches and there was a park run by the Shriners so we thought this would be a good place for two of our days.
Yesterday we made the uneventful move and had a very relaxing afternoon.

Today we went off to see the sights.

First community was St. Chad's, very small, very quaint, and very picturesque.

Just down the road is a short walk into the Long Chute Lookout which overlooks Burnside which is where the ferry departs for St Brendans Island.

Burnside was another small community with some interesting sights, a really lovely church, but instead we took a picture of a quaint outhouse



Back to Eastport and turn left to head toward Salvage and we come across Wild Cove.

Salvage is the end of the road for this peninsula and lots of hiking, a big fish plant and beautiful scenery.

They build houses anywhere they can

Some cormorants sitting on a big rock.

Back into Eastport for lunch at Vicki's

After lunch a drive to Happy Adventure, yes that is the name of the community.

Here is what you do in Happy Adventure, make houses and hang them on the clothsline.

Just around the corner was Sandy Cove, not many of these beaches in Newfoundland

Back to the beach at Eastport for a walk on the boardwalk.

Managed to get in this afternoon to a really nice hairdresser for a well needed hair cut, she was born in Eastport, married and moved to Happy Adventure (5 km) and has never left the rock.

Hair cut cost 12.00, gave her a good tip, the hair was pretty long.

Tomorrow we head west, not sure about internet so do not be surprised if there is no blog.

The Cape Shore

Today we are off to the Cape Shore and our first stop was Argentia, this is where the long ferry leaves to go back to Nova Scotia, it takes 14 hours and is now only a night run, we will be going back to Port aux Basques.

I did not realize how much of part Argentia played during the second world war, there was quite a US air and naval base here.

Just around the corner is Castle Hill, which is a National Heritge Park, this is a British fort that held off the French in the 1700's, very interesting.

This is a picture from the fort, looking into the harbour and out to sea.

Next stop, Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, I heard we could see the gannets here, it was a 1.5km walk in, going in was wonderful, the fog was playing games but by the time we came out the fog had taken over and you could not see anything.

First bird we saw was an eagle.

Oh but then came the gannets, it was so exciting. Ron kept holding on to my jeans, I think he thought he was going to lose me over the cliff.

The gannet have their babies anytime from March to October so that is why there were so many still with all their down.

Oh if the fog was not so thick, the pictures would be amazing.

Too cute

By the time we walked back you could hardly see the lighthouse, yet once we left the cape the fog was gone and it was nice and clear.

Moving day tomorrow, making our way back across the island with a stop in Eastport.

The Irish Loop

What a night, the wind blew hard and then the rain came, woke up this morning to fog, fog and more fog. However we thought we only have two more days here so better get out, decided on going around the Irish Loop.
Not a good day for walking as everytime we got out of the car, our glasses were wet.

First stop was Brigus South where we walked out to see the big waves splashing against the shore.

Down the coast we got to Ferryland and took the little road to the lighthouse, the road stopped about half a mile from the lighthouse but it was to wet to walk and to foggy to make out the lighthouse in the picture I took.

Ferryland is in the news for a new archeoligical dig going on.

Still down the coast and the fog is not lifting.



At the bottom of the loop you come to Portugal Cove South which is where the road into Cape Race goes into, however it is still ugly and the road is 22km of gravel, a decision was made that today it would not be a good idea. Cape Race is the first place that the distress call came into from the ill fated Titanic.

Heading west now and getting out of the fog, looking so carefully for caribou but are not going to be in luck.

St. Vincent is known for whales, as it is a very deep harbour but no, no whales either , we are not having good luck today.

It was beautiful anyway.

Did the loop and went home for supper. After supper we drove back down to Holyrood to just have a better look, found this very nice mural.

Tanya and Curtis leaving us

Well, very dissappointed in myself, forgot my camera this morning.....grrrr

Anyway, we spent the morning letting Tanya pack up her and Curtis so they were ready for their flight later this evening.

After lunch we drove to Conception Bay South as we were told to try the Bergs ice cream (homemade), it was very good, Curtis and Ron had sticky bun...they were in their glory.

Back tracked just a little to a small store that sold frozen fish and Tanya filled a cooler, but she did not buy any cod tongues or britches, I am no sure what is the matter with her.

On to Portugal Cove which is where the ferry goes to Bell Island, not a good day to go, the line up is a long ways back the highway as the ferry is broke down. Portugal Cove is a cute little community.

Off to the tip of the Eastern Avalon Peninsula and Pouch Cove, another quaint village. The fog is starting to come in and the temperature dropped from 25 to 17 in a matter of minutes.

After a quick stop at Walmart off to the airport to get them checked in and a spot of dinner.

So sad to see them go but so happy they came..... will see them in the spring.

Cape Spear and St. John's

Say, it almost hit 26 degrees today, that is pretty good for around here.

We spent our last full day with Tanya and Curtis by getting in some of the local attractions.

First off to Witless Bay, we or perhaps just I thought we could see Puffins on Bull Island but no way it was to far out.

Over to the big shipyard in Bay Bulls.

Around the corner to Petty Harbour and Maddox Cove

Finally we reach Cape Spear.

Was warm and quite calm for being out on the point, lovely

Then over to St. John's to spend the afternoon downtown.

After everyone got their shopping in and we walked down Geoge Street, we decided to go on out to Fort Amhearst, not really to much to do in downtown St. John's

Tanya wanted a feed of fish and chips so we tried to go back to Water Street to Nautical Nellies but it was so full, so we ended up at Jungle Jim's( a fun chain here in Nfld), she still got her fish and chips but the atmosphere was not quite the same. We did however have a great time and wished Tanya an early happy birthday.

Our campground is right on a pond and even though it is very lovely we have not had much time to play around here, when we got home last night, the moon was shining on the pond and made a good picture.