NL#8: Bergy Bits to Big Bergs!

Roadside View

Here we are in Red Bay, Labrador:

Day 6: June 20, 2017

This was a banner morning of firsts.

First Moose pic (third Moose):

First Bergy Bits:

First Big Bergs:

First beach glass:

First Black-backed Woodpecker (Life Bird):

We drove north to Ship Cove and were directed to a great lookout (‘up the road, not to Cape Onion, out past the cemetery, onto the hill…ya can’t miss it”):

Not only were there icebergs, there was also a miniature village David had read about on Facebook:

This itty bitty lighthouse was overlooking this itty bitty iceberg:

On our way to Raleigh, we got these woodpile and ditch garden examples:

then were awestruck by this garden of bergy bits in the cove:

Here’s the Cat’s Eye View of our lunch spot:

We saw Moose #4 on our way to L’Anse aux Meadows (and #5 on our way back) and did the free pass tour of the site. We were alone with the Vikings and enjoyed the warmth from the propane fire (they burned through the roof two years ago and now use gas). And learned “the fewest words to describe the most things in Newfoundland”: “arn or narn” (in relationship to if there are or are not any fish!)."

There were so many icebergs today; our eyes are full. Here are a few more:

Here’s a view of the campsite three over:

Day 7: June 21, 2017

We headed back to St. Anthony, saw Moose #6, and got to the Fox Point Lighthouse IN THE SUN!. And there were icebergs and whales!

We got supplies and drove to Goose Cove and walked the trail for more icebergs:

and had lunch in Great Brehat before heading back to Flower’s Cove as the fog started to build. We spent a quiet night on our favourite secret spot and booked the ferry to Labrador for tomorrow.

Too foggy for a view!

Day 8: June 22, 2017

We had time to visit the Thrombolites before heading to the ferry:

There was a large family gathering, often in tears and hugging, along with an ambulance. We tried to figure it all out. Though we had decided they were returning to Labrador with the body of a loved one for burial, we later saw (since we were the last vehicle off the ferry) that the ambulance had a very alive though old and infirm Granny. We’ll never know now.

We drove to the falls in Bras D’Or thinking we’d boondock there:

but ended up at the Ile aux Perroquets (Puffin Island) and were happy to watch the large icebergs just offshore. This one was COVERED in Puffins as was the surrounding water. Amazing:

Here’s the view from my chair:

Day 9: June 23, 2017

Despite the arse who honked his horn twice on the highway behind us and the yowling prowling cat outside (neither of which disturbed OUR cat), we had a good night and woke to 15 icebergs in our view!

We saw more and more large icebergs as we travelled along the coast. this definitely is Iceberg Alley as advertised:

At L’Anse-au-Loup, we stopped for some beachcombing:

and got to Pinware Provincial Park (2 nights, no services, senior $26.20) before lunch. They had just opened Friday and all the tent sites were still closed. But the washrooms were freshly painted, and we got Site 16 with an amazing view of icebergs.

It was nice to stay put, look:

walk:

gather glass (yep, that’s snow):

and enjoy the glorious view from my chair:

Day 10: June 24, 2017

A nice quiet, if chilly, night. It’s damp and dreary and quite cold (it is summer after all). But, it’s Labrador!

We drove to the Red Bay National Historic Site for another free pass tour. Truman, our advisor, from a former visit, on cooking an Eider: “stuff ‘er full of Stove Top and stick ‘er in the oven”, took us over to Saddle Island and the Basque Whaling Site. We walked some and took some pictures:

and got back before the rain and the tour bus full from Vermont.

Back home to rain! After relaxing, I took another beachwalk and ended the day with this Cat’s Eye View from my chair: