Villages of Twillingate

Up late as the rain is falling. About noon, decided to unhook the trailer and use the truck as our commuter vehicle. Just about the time we were ready to head out the rain finished. Still, we took the truck and headed off for the day.

First stop, Auk Island Winery. Yes they have a winery in Twillingate. To our surprise also. But we heard it is a fruit winery so we had to check it out. Turns out that their wine is predominantly made with local berries, Applebake, Crowberry, low bush Blueberry, Partridge berry and Strawberry. Had a tour and wine tasting and they are very good! Very fruit forward, so you can taste the fruits they are made from. Great names for the wines, great novelty, so we bought 2 cases...Hmmmm...

Then down the road to some local bays and villages. 

Crow Head

Long Point Lighthouse

Durrel

Durrel

Bridgeport

Tizzard's Harbour

Tizzard's Harbour, Old and Newer

Moreton's Harbour

Carter's Cove

Back Harbour

"Retired"

Twillingate

Drove to Twillingate today. En-route, stopped and picked up groceries in Gander. Arrived mid afternoon. Once set up at the campsite, went for a long walk up a steep hill nearby. Great to get some exercise and awesome view!

Kyle hunting on hill overlooking Back Harbour, Twillingate

Yours truly on hill facing the opposite direction of Kyle

From top of hill facing north over the Atlantic Ocean

Kyle frolicking in the Atlantic.. This dog supposedly doesn't like the water!?

Chatted with a couple of fishermen on the dock and they were saying the Cod are coming back. Offered us a fresh Cod, but our fridge is full. Respectfully declined.

 Went to Twillingate Dinner Theatre for some local Newfie entertainment. Music and comedy skits after a good salmon dinner. Met a nice couple from Newfoundland, now living in Fort McMurray.  Great evening!

Cast

Jody with his "Ugly Stick"

Bonavista Peninsula (Discovery Trail)

Today we traveled the Bonavista Peninsula to the lighthouse where John Cabot landed in 1497 and "discovered" the New Founde Lande. Much of the main road was inland, but were able to see some of the coastline when we veered off the beaten path. The town of Bonavista is larger than we thought it would be. Had lunch at a highly rated little restaurant and the food was excellent. Our server was even better than the food. Gave us a bunch of local stories in her newfie accent, she was a card.

60 year old, 16 pound lobster

Fish-n-brewis and a brew. A traditional Newfoundland meal...

Mmmm Mmm Good!

Went to the lighthouse. Seen a bunch now. Saw some whales breaching offshore. Beautiful warm summer afternoon.

Down the road to see Puffins at Elliston, root cellar capital of the world... Hundreds of these man-made, frost-free food preservers, many still in use.

Walked out to a point and on the adjacent island where Puffins and Seagulls were perched.

Puffin, centre

Great rock formations

"The finger"

The waitress where we had lunch told us of a new brewery that just opened up 2 weeks ago in Port Rexton, then while watching the Puffins, another couple told us the same.

 Schoolhouse to Brewhouse

Tried to buy a 4oz taster glass but they have had such a success most everything was sold out. All the growlers, glasses and t-shirts were sold out. Only beer on tap was left. Good beer too.....

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