Homeward bound, Baccalieu Trail

Started heading west today. There are still many areas of Newfoundland that we haven't seen yet, but we have 7 days before our boat leaves.

Just west of St Johns

After a bunch of roadwork, (paving, they need it) we stopped about 125kms west at Bellevue Beach Provincial Campsite. Beautiful setting right on the south end of Trinity Bay. After setting up and lunch, we headed out to ride the Baccalieu Trail loop. Dodging rain drops is the order of the day.

Trinity Bay from our campsite

Kyle hasn't been getting into enough pics...

Stopped and took a pic of the village of Dildo because of its name.

Dildo

Grace Harbour is where Amelia Earhart set out on her solo flight across the Atlantic in 1932. The SS Kyle was the first ferry boat to Labrador and had major ice damage above the waterline. It was brought to the harbour for repairs and a fierce storm broke it's anchor. Then pushed it to shore where it has sat since 1967. Sailers felt this was a good omen as normally when a boat is blown ashore, they sink...

SS Kyle,  also like the name because of our dog...

Around the head of the peninsula where the rain had just finished and the roads were still wet. Came down the Trinity Bay side into Winterton and saw a few great pictures..

Hearts Desire is where the first successful transatlantic cable landed here in 1866 from Ireland. They are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the cable crossing. As numerous cables failed, they actually laid 4. Saw the remnants of the these cables on the beach.

The original cable building where over 300 employees worked

Cavendish, Newfoundland... For the travellers that have picked up the Newfoundland Labrador 2016 Traveller's Guide, the cover photo is of these buildings.

This old shed was left out, the first time, felt sorry for it...

Killick Coast, above St Johns

Perfect weather, few clouds, 18ºc to start out this morning. Headed north towards Pouch Cove and the peninsula tip.  Checked out some gorgeous little harbours along the way.

Middle Cove

Middle Cove beach 

Flatrock

Wharf at Flatrock

Boat launch at Flatrock

Portugal Cove ferry dock area

New homes at Portugal Cove with Bell Isle in the distance.

As a little Segway, we have been surprised at how much new construction there is here in St Johns.

Bell Isle ferry

As we were riding south, had the local radio station on KROCK 97.5 and the DJ mentioned that Justin Trudeau was in town. At 12:30pm would be at the soccer pitch in Topsail for the Newfoundland Labrador Summer Games. We had no idea where Topsail was nor the soccer pitch, but discussed finding it. Agreed that we would continue our tour, but if we came across the area, we would stop. Not more than 15 minutes later, we turned onto Topsail Road. Thinking that the pitch would be in the opposite direction, we carried on not expecting anything more. All of a sudden, drove into a congested area and noticed a soccer pitch with a game in progress. Drove to the exit of the parking lot and saw security. Made a u-turn and back to the entrance. It was noon... Parked and decided to have lunch in the bleachers while watching the soccer game.  To make the storey shorter...

Prime Minister of Canada

Justin Trudeau

Left before everyone did because he was swarmed by fans, but the rest of the day's ride was mute compared to what we had just experienced.

Ended up in Brigus, which was cleaning up from the Blueberry festival. Visited Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site. Home of polar explorer, Captain Bob Bartlett.

Then down the road for camp and the arrival of Gerry and Lisa who came to dinner with us at the World Famous "Ches's" for fish and chips. Food was average, but the company was great, again. Looking forward to seeing them next year when they ride west to BC.

Lisa and Gerry Langford