After I spent so much time trying to book with the Twillingate Adventure Tours, after talking to my breakfast group, I realized that that company was not who I wanted to go with. When I booked, the person who booked me forgot to input my credit card so I hadn't paid yet. I had had a very strong tea with dinner so I was still awake at 1:30 in the morning thinking about putting on that horrible wet weather suit to go on the zodiac and realized, no, that does not appeal.
Iceberg Quest, who have a boat with a covered cabin, amazingly had ONLINE BOOKING!!! A miracle (in this part of the world), so I booked the 9:30 am boat. Twillingate Adventure do not have online anything which I may have mentioned (repeatedly) so I sent a 'sorry, no can do' email. I felt guilty but such is life.
The next morning I packed up and had breakfast with my crew. While I was eating, I got a call (on the BnB owners cell phone). Oh oh, I was going to get yelled at. But no, he was calling to tell me the 10 am boat tour was cancelled. Whew. He hadn't gotten my email yet (or probably ever).
Constance and Hassan decided to join me on the boat. We already knew there were no icebergs around but there was a slim chance of seeing a whale or gannets.
We saw none of those but it was such a a beautiful sunny day, and the coastline is stunning so, all told, a good couple of hours. The big 'see' was an eagle on the nest. Not exactly exciting for me, but okay, I'm not complaining. Lots of photos of course.
I had such a nice weather once I left St. John's. The forecast had definitely been more dire so every sunny day was a blessing. But I was heading east and the forecast for Avalon Peninsula was not good.
But first, I made a sharp turn when I saw the Beotuck interpretation centre and archeological site. Worth a visit I figured. As soon as I arrived and stepped out of the car, I was swarmed by black flies! I of course knew they were a thing in Newfoundland but I hadn't seen any yet.
I quickly entered the building to avoid them. They are awful!
I won't regale you with the tragedy of the Beotuck but know it is bad. They are an extinct people now.
I couldn't even go out to the house pits and archeological site because the black flies were so thick. Back onto the road, past Gander, past Dildo, and onto Heart's Delight. I had booked a little saltbox house so I was excited to see inside one since I had seen so many scattered around the island.
It was surprisingly big inside. Three bedrooms, full laundry. Completely kitted out kitchen. There wasn't much around and after my five hour drive, I wasn't keen to go looking for dinner. I rummaged around in my Sobey car snack bag for whatever dregs were left. One cuppa noodle, a pudding cup and a piece of fudge. I'll be checking myself in for scurvy treatments when I get home.
(The next musician just started. Someone yelled at him that he cut off the canned Eagles song.)
Ok, I've got to finish my beer so I can stop living local and go back to living tourist.
...
I'm back at my BnB. I was going to go to another pub but I realized my first beer had a bit of a wallop and I need to get up very early tomorrow morning. Where were we?
Ah yes, leaving Heart's Delight. Next morning I woke up to a grey day. I did a load of laundry, ate my apple and a couple of cheese strings. Searched for my missing car key for a while. Pro travel tip (actually pro just living a human life tip). Search the obvious places first, pockets purses. Then the less obvious places, every surface, under every piece of furniture, in the grass outside, then ACTUALLY search the obvious places again. Because it is for sure in your pocket or purse (my purse in particular). You're welcome.
Finally loaded up the car and headed north. Heart's Delight, Heart's Desire and Heart's Content are all on the west side of the peninsula that I can't remember the name of. I wanted to do the loop. My first stop, Mizzen Pond trail. It was a bit drippy but I decided to risk it. It is only 2.3 km and flat so it would be relatively quick.
The trail is delightful! Someone has put all of these weird little knick knacks all along the path. Painted rocks, painted bird houses, I even found a puzzle that did in a gazebo.
The natural scenery was nice too. I saw a ptarmigan. No picture. And a beaver damn, but no beaver.
It was grey but the rain held off.
Mizzen Pond is in Heart's Content. I went back to the 'downtown' area. I was looking for a post office. I keep hearing about how much trouble Canada Post is in. Well, feel free to blame Newfoundland. There is a honest to God, stand alone post office building in every tiny town in this province. They are all about 15-20 minute drive apart. I couldn't find the one in Heart's Content. I thought maybe there wasn't one.
So I decided to go to the Cable Museum. Heart's Content was the North American town where the first transatlantic cable was located. I want to say 1857 but do not quote (or believe) me on that.
I was just a few minutes to get there but it started pouring rain! Very lucky me.
Anyway, no parking so I parked in the gift shop/gallery next door. That was an expensive parking spot. I bought a painting, a little print and a necklace! And met the cutest dog ever. She wasn't sideways but her picture is.
As it turns out, the post office was right next door. So those of you getting a post card will have a Heart's Content cancellation on the stamp.
To the Cable Museum. All of the old machinery is still in there!
Even the bathroom is original (well, they may have upgraded the plumbing).
It was quite cool actually. They have applied for world UNESCO heritage site. Apparently, Ireland sold there building and had to get it back so they could apply too.
Money spent, post cards sent, my heart content in the glow of Canadian history, it was time to brave the rainy roads to get to the top of the peninsula. Grates Cove.
Rain would have been better than the unbelievable fog that socked in the further north I went.
It did break occasionally.
Grates Cove was a bit of a bust but they did have a very picturesque graveyard between the road and the sea.
Onward, now heading south on the east side of the peninsula.
I stopped in a town that I currently can't remember the name of. It has a historic downtown with lovely old buildings. Sure, true, but not situated in any photographable way. Here is my only photo.
By then, I was tired of the rain then fog then rain and fog so I headed to the highway to St. John's. Let me see if there are any noteworthy pictures. Nope.
We're almost done. I've already told you about my disappointing pub experience.
Here are some photos of the 'jelly bean' houses in St John's.
And that's a wrap. I'm going to bed early for my 7 am flight. I have to return my car as well.
No one has agreed to pick me up at the airport yet so I may be getting yet another Uber when I get home. I'm a pro now so it should be fine (knock on wood).
I'm on in out of it. Goodnight b'y.
Those intense blue skies were stunning! Foggy pics look like what I imagined NFLD was like.Paula Y
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