Corner Brook, Newfoundland - Day 1 of our trip

Here are a few of my fav pics from Day 1 on our Newfoundland trip.  

This beautiful walking path was beside our hotel.  The trails were perfect for a nice walk or run.  Hannes really enjoyed his run on this trail.  Everyone you passed on the trail said hello, how are you. There were beautiful flowers and birds, as well as a great forested area.  

Here is just a small sampling of flowers and great weeds!  

 A cute seagull enjoying his or her post.

All in a row, resting.

There was a pair of beautiful mute swans.  They swam into the perfect spot while I was shooting photos.  So happy! 

Around the hotel, I found some good fence posts.

We loved the Glynmill Inn.  It was an older building and nicely updated on the inside.  We were on the third floor and chose to take the stairs up and down. They were faster than the elevator!  Good exercise for us.  We had our dinner in the restaurant and enjoyed it!   

Winding it down

Tonight is our farewell dinner for the tour!  It is being held at "The Hotel" (Sheraton).  I put this in quotes because everyone in St. John's knows that "the hotel" is the Sheraton.  It used to be called the Newfoundland Hotel.

We had a very interesting city tour this morning and had the afternoon off to do whatever we wanted.  Another traveller, Joyce, joined Hannes and I as we went off on a photo/shopping/eating adventure.  The first stop was to find the house that is used in the tv show "Republic of Doyle".  It was not too far from the hotel, just down the street from our tour guide's favourite coffee shop.  So I snapped a few photos and Hannes took a video.

I also snapped a lot of photos of the colourful houses/doors/windows and will work on editing them later.  We had lunch at Nautical Nellie's.  Delicious food there.  It was recommended to us by a couple who were out walking their dogs last night.  I commented about the dogs as our neighbours across the street have the same kind.  We got to talking about lots of stuff...apparently they know a "McLeod" family in Thunder Bay, however, it was not the same McLeod family that I know.  Anyway, they said you have to try this restaurant and really who better to ask than a local! 

The predicted high today was 26, however, it was way, way hotter.  By the time we returned to the hotel, we were dripping!  Everyone was feeling the effects of the  heat.  I never thought St. John's would be this hot.  And the locals tell us that it is unusual to be like this.  The average temperature is closer to 20.

It is just about time to go to our dinner.  The owner of McCarthy's Party apparently will be there at some point.  Yesterday we met the son, who came to Bay Bulls to meet the group.  This has been quite the adventure!!

I will continue with updates to the blog as there is still so much more to report on!

More photos...this province is stunningly beautiful!

I am behind in providing reports on all our activities for the last couple of days, mainly due to poor internet connections.  Here are a few photos covering some of the sites we have taken in.

Drying cod...when Newfoundlanders talk about "fish", they are talking about cod.  If they are talking about another kind of fish, they will say exactly what they are talking about, i.e., salmon, lobster, etc.

In Trinity, my favourite place on the trip.  It is just how I pictured Newfoundland...colourful Saltbox houses along a cove with a few cliffs thrown in for good measure.  We had a bit of fog on the drive in, however, it did clear up pretty well.  

About 30 seconds after I shot this, the kayak instructor came over and started tuning them over to take out a few people for a paddle on the lake.  This might just be my favourite photo on the trip so far.

Whale watching in Bay Bulls Friday afternoon.  This friendly humpback whale put on quite a show for us.  There was also another one nearby.  It was amazing!

A view from the Sheraton in St. John's, Newfoundland.  The buildings are so colourful and have such great architectural details. 

More to follow.  Our holiday is just about over. :-( 

Update to Newfoundland Lingo

Newfoundlanders have a lot of sayings.  The hard part is trying to interpret what they mean.  Here are some that were on a recycle shopping bag that Hannes bought for me:

I'll let you all ponder their meanings:

• birch broom in the fits
• good day on clothes
• too big for your britches
• crooked as sin
• long may your big jib draw
• awful nice day
• she's gone b'y she's gone
• a fine mug up
• how ya gettin' on
• rain,drizzle and fog
• any mummers allowed in?
• a fine kettle of fish
• cookin' up a scoff
• saucy as a crackie
• ya foolish gommel

Some are these are fairly easy, others need some thought.

I have more from Linda, our tour director.  I'll save them for another post.  

We are in Gander tonight and then off to see Twillingate and Terra Nova National Park tomorrow.

Cheers and good night!

Beautiful Newfoundland

Hi all,

Finally back on line and have a few things to report...

Yesterday was the best day of the trip so far.  We took a boat tour across beautiful Bonne Bay to Woody Point where we spent time in Gros Morne National Park.  The boat trip was so fun.  The day was beautiful weather wise and there just seemed to be a different energy on the bus as we drove to the boat.  Here is the boat we were on:

For the most part the trip was calm.  We hit an area where it was a tad wavy. I wanted to get a photo of Hannes and me...we did but we had to wait until it calmed down a bit.  Ron took this for us on my camera.

The guides on the boat were very knowledgeable and funny!!  Who would have thought that Parks Canada staff had such a great sense of humor.  Before we docked for lunch, our group was called to the lower level for an honorary Newfoundlander ceremony.  We had to say an oath, down some screech (40 proof rum that is actually from Jamaica!!), kiss the cod...well, we had Lise, as our group representative, do that!!  The Parks Canada personnel have a band and performed several songs as well.  We will all be receiving a certificate showing that we are honorary citizens of Newfoundland.  This was so fun!! We then were off to Trout Bay for lunch.  The great thing about our lunches and dinners is that often we order our food ahead of time and are given from two to three choices.  Linda,  our tour director, takes down our orders and then phones them in to the restaurant while we are travelling on the bus.  When we get there, the staff is ready for us, tables are set and food served very quickly.  I will write up a separate report about the food on this trip...

After lunch we went to Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. What a beautiful spot!  Such amazing scenery.  We stopped by the Tableland Mountains.  This is what earned the park its UNESCO World Heritage status. The nickname is the "Galapagos of Plate Tectonics".  

We stayed overnight in Rocky Harbour which leads me to my next interesting story...my friend Merrilee in Calgary (she introduced Hannes and me), sent me a message that if, by chance, we were going to be in Rocky Harbour, to look up her boss's wife who runs a coffee shop/restaurant.  We had no idea where our hotel was located until we asked our tour director Linda who said the shop was about a five minute walk from our hotel.  So Hannes called the shop in the afternoon and asked if Jacqui was going to be in.  The staff was uncertain, they said maybe later this afternoon.  We called later and she was there...so we walked over and asked for her.  She came out not knowing who would be there to see her as I told her staff member we just wanted to talk to her for a minute and that we had a mutual friend.  We chatted and introduced ourselves.  It was such a great experience!!!  Unfortunately we could not stay too long as Jacqui was going to pub night at our hotel (the band playing were the fellows from the Parks Canada boat trip that we took earlier in the morning) and we were off to Parsons for a lobster dinner (about a three minute walk from our hotel).  This is just one of those things I believe where fate intervened.  Of all the places in Newfoundland, who knew we would be in Rocky Harbour?  Here is a photo of me in front of the sign:

Our lobster dinner was great.  We joined Ron and Bud from St. Louis, Missouri.  It has been years since I have had lobster...it was delicious.  Here is a photo of our dinner:

That's it for now.  I have lots more to talk about...it's supper time and I must eat!  :-)

Some quick photos before we take off again...

Hi all,

Here are three pics from our time in Labrador.

This was the ferry we took over to Labrador.  We actually docked in Quebec, then drove down the road about 5 minutes to enter Nfld.

Our first iceberg   This was just a small part of the original one that came into the bay about 3 weeks ago.

This is the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, 109 feet.  We were part of the group (only 8 of us) that were lucky enough to have the time to climb all the way to the top.  It was so cool!!!  The view was foggy but you could still see some buildings in the distance.

Got to go...time for breakfast and then on board the ferry to go back to the island!

A special message for my Cattie Chicks

Hi girls,

I am hoping you are following the blog!  Just wanted to let you know that I found the most perfect gift for our Christmas gift exchange at a store in Red Bay, Labrador.  

Have a lovely day ladies!

xoxoxo,

Sandy

A few more photos...

Hi all,

We are in Labrador as I write this, having come over on the ferry this morning. Today was very foggy and drizzly. 

Here are a few photos from yesterday's adventure at L'Anse Aux Meadows. We also visited Sandy Cove to see how sealskin boots are made and St. Anthony where Dr. Sir Wilfred Grenfell was a medical pioneer (and hero).

I always like to get a photo of us together...usually I am behind the lens of the still camera and Hannes is behind the lens of the video camera.  This was at the Viking camp at L'Anse Aux Meadows.  My photo friend Ron took this for us.  

These flowers (or weeds, tiny little buttercups) were growing on the roof of a building.  I thought they looked neat!

This gorgeous orange lichen was just up the hill from the Norseman Restaurant in L'Anse Aux Meadows where we had lunch.  We ordered it the day before so it was ready when we got there.  There were three choices as follows:

1.  Seafood chowder, shrimp wrap
2.  Seafood chowder, chicken wrap
3.  Italian sausage penne with side salad

For those of you who know me well, I will let you guess what I ordered!! lol
We also had live entertainment over lunch, Wade Hillier, who played the guitar and sang us a bunch of fun songs.

This was also taken near the restaurant.  I love the rocks and lichen with a smattering of wildflowers thrown into the mix.  

We have been so busy that it has been hard to find extra time to edit and download photos...hope to do a few more tonight.

Oh, and today we saw our first ever iceberg in Red Bay, Labrador.  When it came into the harbour three weeks ago, it was 10 feet above ground and 60 feet below water.  It has since broken off into pieces, one of which was what we saw today.  Photos will follow as I have to now download well over 100 photos that I took today, in the fog and mist.  

Until later...we have another 5:30 a.m. breakfast tomorrow as we head back on the ferry to the island. 

The adventure continues...

Early to bed, early to rise...

Just a quick report about tomorrow's (Saturday's) adventure:

We were advised by our tour director, Linda, that breakfast will be served at 5:30 a.m. (that's 4:00 a.m. in Thunder Bay time!)  The luggage is to be put out by our door when we go to breakfast.  The bus leaves at promptly 6:30 a.m. for the half hour drive to the ferry terminal.  Wayne, our extraordinary bus driver, made an 8:00 reservation for us, however, you have to be there an hour early to hold the spot.  Our destination is Labrador, travelling through the Straight of Belle Isle, something I have only ever read about.  I am pumped up about this!!!  More details to follow...so much reporting  to do!!!

My camera was super busy today.  Ron, my new photo friend from St. Louis, has been helping me find a ton of rust opportunities, so I should have lots of photos for my Amateur Images group.  Today was another awesome day.

So even though it's still early, I must sign off...will be getting up at 4:15 a.m. tomorrow.

xoxoxo

Sandy

PS:  In my twacking adventure today, I found a super cute Newfoundland windbreaker jacket right here at the hotel.

PPS:  At the church sale, we all had homemade pie (mine was bakedapple otherwise known as cloudberries) and a cup of tea.  I have to say that we have no food worries on this trip.  I will probably have to start running with Hannes to burn off all these extra calories!!!

Some photos of the area...

Here are a few photos that I took yesterday (Thursday).  It's hard to keep track of the day and time!  And it didn't help that I set my watch ahead by 12 hours and was a day ahead of myself...discovered that yesterday at Port Au Choix!!

The above photo was at the Captain Cook Historical site on the Humber River.  A beautiful foggy day!

This is a view of the city of Corner Brook.

A very interesting place called "The Arches".  Phenomenal rock formations.

A pretty sunset behind the Plum Point Motel which has been our home for 2 nights.  There was a boardwalk at the back of the motel.  The area is quite marshy.

So much  news to report...however, it has to wait.  We just got in from another fabulous day of touring and are getting ready for a quick dinner, then off to a church up the street for a handicraft sale and dessert (or, if you prefer, twacking!!!)  

We are loving it here!  The people are so nice and friendly and everyone stops to say hello to you wherever you are!

Until later my friends!!!

Cheers, Sandy

Newfoundland Lingo

Today was our first full day on the tour.  We were up early...wake up call came at 6:30 a.m. although we were already up.  Breakfast at 7 a.m. and on the bus at 8 a.m.  

We toured around Corner Brook and saw several interesting places...Captain Cook Historic Site on the Humber River.  Lots of cloud cover and fog this morning, with a bit of rain.

Our tour director Linda introduced us to several new terms:

MUN - short for Memorial University Newfoundland

Mauzy - dull day, fog, might rain, might not

Twacking - window shopping

Mummering - you get dressed up in funny clothes (example a man may wear a bra, dress and mittens on his feet), your face is covered to disguise who you are, you play musical instruments.  Starts after Boxing Day, go out in groups, knock on  neighbour's doors and perform.  Voice is also disguised.  If the people enjoyed the performance, they give you food and drink, then it's on to the next house.  This could go on for hours!  It had been banned in recent times as it had got too rowdy and someone actually died.  

We had several stops at various places ...Norris Point, The Arches, Port Au Choix, and tonight's rest stop, the Plum Point Motel.  We are here for 2 nights with a day trip out and back for tomorrow.  Lots of heavy rain in the  morning but just as the Weather Channel predicted, it cleared up around 1 p.m.

Lots of new stuff learned today about culture, music, places to shop, dialects of the Newfoundland people, and vegetation to name but just a few.

We are getting to know our fellow travellers too.  So many great people!! Tonight's dinner was at the hotel.  It was the welcome dinner and all 31 of us travellers plus our tour guide and bus driver were there!  After supper we walked on the boardwalk behind the hotel (over a marsh) to wear off the desserts.  The temperature dropped and I was actually cold!  One of our fellow travellers from Missouri is also a photo nut like me.  He saw me taking photos of rust and came over and asked me "Were you taking photos of rust?"  When I said yes, he shook my hand!  We laughed about what we take pictures of and he showed me some of his photos from earlier in the day.  I told him he should get on Facebook so I could invite him to my photo group!  

I took a lot of photos today...no time for editing right now...hope to get some new pics up tomorrow.  I actually posted the second blog note from the bus as it has wi-fi!  Shortly after I finished posting, I got a warning that there was only 14% of battery life left so I had to shut it down.  First thing I did when we got into our room was plug in the laptop to recharge!!

Time to sign off...another early rise tomorrow as we hit the road for St. Anthony.

:-) Cheers, Sandy

Travel Day to Newfoundland

Hello all!  Today was our travel day to the beautiful province of Newfoundland, Canada.  We were up very early (2 a.m. for Hannes and 3:10 a.m. for me).  Needed time to shower, eat, have coffee (or tea), last minute running around, feed the bird, etc.  Our SIL drove us to the airport and was at our house ahead of schedule, just before 5 a.m.  About 4:50 a.m. there was a huge downpour of rain that lasted for about 5 minutes.

Got to the airport and waited in line to check in with WestJet.  I had attempted to get our boarding passes on line the day before, however, after reading  the dangerous goods list (that included lithium ion batteries, which I declared that I was packing) I could not get the boarding passes.  So when we got there, I told them the battery was for my point and shoot camera, which ended up to be no big deal. That was great...Next, security...this should be a breeze as I have no metal belts or anything that should beep...not!!! Lucky me I was "randomly selected" for further security...I could choose a pat down or walk through the xray scanning machine...no thank you, I chose the pat down.  No problem as I had nothing to hide.  They also scanned my purse and backpack.  Well, what else could happen I thought?  They called for pre-boarding and then we waited and waited.  Then suddenly there was an announcement for final boarding for our flight! What?  Did I sleep through the announcement for boarding or what???  I think they forgot to announce boarding for regular folks.  Anyway we got on with plenty of time...full flight to Toronto.

Waited in Toronto for just an hour and a half before boarding our flight that would take us to Deer Lake, Newfoundland.  They offered us a snack, photo follows:

flight to Newfoundland was full.  A few folks on the plane were part of our tour.  The tour party met us at the airport to give us our special luggage tags that we need for the hotels we will be staying at.  The drive from Deer Lake to Corner Brook was about 50 km and it was very nice.  Our hotel is the Glynmill and is a historic building.  It is near a fabulous lake and walking path which we enjoyed.  Hannes went for a run and I went for a photo shoot. 

Before that we had a meet and greet with some of the people who will be on our tour.  Had coffee, juice and tarts...more info on that to follow.

We had a lovely dinner on our own at the hotel, photos to follow. 

Here are some scenic photos:  flowers and mute swans.

Early morning call tomorrow.  We have to be out of our rooms by 7 a.m., and luggage ready by then too, then go down for breakfast and be ready to go  by 8 a.m.  Don't want to keep Wayne waiting!!!  He is the driver and will take off even if we aren't there!  (or so he says).  He said that if we are late we may have to get a cab and catch up to the bus!!!  They seem to have a great sense of humor here!!

Today's temperature was about 24 celcius which was warmer than expected.  We may be in for a small amount of rain tomorrow. We need to pack our day bags accordingly.  

The places we will see

Our first adventure to Newfoundland starts in just a few days.  Today I went through all my clothing that I am packing (have to be prepared for everything).  Decisions have been made and I will try not to change my mind! Everything is organized into packing "cubes".

So this afternoon I was just reviewing our itinerary.  We are going to cover a lot of ground!!  We fly from here to Toronto, then change planes and fly into Deer Lake.  I wondered why we didn't fly right into Corner Brook...well it turns out they don't have an airport!  Who would have thought that!  

Some of the places are:

• Deer Lake
• Corner Brook
• Gros Morne National Park
• National Historic Park at Port au Choix
• St. Anthony
• UNESCO World Heritage site at L'Anse aux Meadows
• Travel across the Straits of Belle Isle to the shores of Labrador (another first, never been there either!)
• L'Anse Amour (tallest lighthouse in the province)
• The Arches (along the rugged coastline)
• Boat tour across Bonne Bay to Woody Point where we see some different things in Gros Morne National Park
• Grand Falls-Windsor to the Exploits River, then to Lewisporte and then Gander (sounds like a busy day!)
• Twillingate Island, one of Newfoundland's oldest and most interesting fishing  communities, then to Terra Nova National Park to see the vistas of Newman Sound
• Trinity, Cape Bonavista
• Avalon Peninsula and another boat trip, this time to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to see puffins and whales.  Then to Cape Spear National Historic Park
• St. John's (oldest city in North America)

This looks like an action-packed trip.  Must now work on getting all my camera stuff together.  Taking lots of extra batteries and memory cards.  

My plan is to blog regularly and post photos as I go along.  Having a laptop (rather than the I-Pad) will allow me to download and edit photos before posting.

Oh, and I should learn some of the Newfie terminology!  :-)