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

Irish Loop (Avalon Peninsula)

Perfect weather day for riding, 17ºc-20ºc slightly overcast. Wind was minimal and not normal for Newfoundland. Headed south along the coast on Highway 10. Road had good, bad and average pavement on the loop. Some nicely cambered corners and others were simply corners. Bays, harbours, inlets and villages are all starting to look the same. Houses are nicely clad in different coloured vinyl siding and new homes are springing up in the most unexpected places. At the south end of the peninsula, the landscape was barren with few small windblown trees and felt very isolated even though travel time to St Johns would be about 2 hours.

Tors Cove

Tors Cove

Burnt Cove

Portugal Cove South

Peter's River,  St Mary's Bay

Relax Day

For the first 2 nights at Pippy Park Campsite in St Johns, we were without services (electricity and water) but today they gave us a serviced site so had to move. Set up the campsite and went to pick up groceries. Walked Kyle around Long Pond again. About a 5km walk. Kyle always loves his walks and sniffs...

Long Pond, Pippy Park, St Johns

Our friends Gerry and Lisa picked us up at our campsite and took us to their home. Beautiful home built out of ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) Very quiet, and energy efficient. I have long admired this type of building and keep being persuaded away from building with them, but next house will be this type. Gerry confirmed what I have always expected.

Anyways, had a great visit, let us do laundry and made us a wonderful spaghetti and meat sauce dinner, Lisa's Mom's recipe. Then watched some Olympics on TV.  Kyle was invited also because they are dog lovers. They spoiled Kyle and he loved it too! Got meat sauce on his meal.... Thank you for a wonderful relaxing evening and great company! Looking forward to showing the Langfords some of BCs great riding roads, wine and craft beer, in the spring. "DJ17"....

Signal Hill, Terry Fox, Quidi Vidi, Cape Spear

Out to Signal Hill this morning. Very lucky to have a high overcast day because St Johns has the least sunshine in Canada and maybe North America. Perfect temperature to view the exhibits and walk the trails. People saw whales breaching. Signal Hill was conquered many times by the French and English in the 1600 and 1700s. Very strategic point for the warring Europeans as it has an incredible view of the ocean. Marconi also set up a receiver here and made history by receiving the first Transatlantic radio signal in 1901.

People watched for boats and relayed who was arriving in harbour using flags

From the top of Cabot Tower overlooking St Johns

St Johns Harbour from Signal Hill

Some of the remaining guns aimed towards Cape Spear on the far point.

Heard the Noon Gun while visiting a Newfie with a Newfie.

Newfies were mascots for the Newfoundland Regiments.

Down the hill to Mile 0 of the Marathon of Hope. Terry Fox's memorial.

Loved this building, nearby Mile 0

Water Street, the oldest street in North America

On the bike again to Quidi Vidi Harbour. Has the oldest Micro Brewery in the Province and one of its beers uses Iceberg water in its recipe. Had a talk and tour of the brewery.

Quidi Vidi Harbour

Another angle with the Brewery

Might take a while, but I think I can

Quidi Vidi's recent advertising campaign.

Note the bottom caption...

"Results may very"

Onto our last stop of the day! Cape Spear, the furtherest East point of land in North America!  Walked the trails and visited the World War 2 gun Batteries placed here.

Cape Spear Lighthouse, Still operational with the original Fresnel Lens

Noting Newfoundland's oldest operating lighthouse

Very Surreal knowing that we have gone as far east in North America as one can travel! From here we are heading west and coming home.....