Day 11

Witless Bay is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Located on the Irish Loop, 35 km south of the provincial capital, St. John's, Witless Bay is a small, scenic, traditional Newfoundland outport community. The town had a population of 1640 in the Canada 2021 Census.

DAY 11: 

Yesterday we

had very typical NFLD weather and it was even more so today. Umbrellas came out of the suitcases but they weren't really necessary but it was very cool and FOGGY

We had breakfast at the Delta. It was so good and there was everything you could ever think of. It was included in our fare. Right away I headed for the fruit  They has raspberries, blue berries, strawberries, kiwi, honey dew, and cantelope oh and red and green grapes also. I selected a yogurt and some granola to go with all of my wonderful fruit. Ken had bacon and sausage and eggs and toast.

There were many fellow travellers in the restaurant at the same time. 

We left and went back to our room for our coats and bags. We did not have to put out suitcases because we are here again tonight.

The bus was out front and we found it right away. In fact we were the first on the bus this morning. We took our usual seat at the back of the bus. We have sat here for the entire trip. It has been wonderful to have so much space. Choosing the small group tour was definitely a wise decision. 

We boarded the bus to head for Bay Bulls. The boat here will take us to Witless Bay Ecological Reserve which is the home of millions of breeding birds.

When we weere all boarded the young guides did the safety drill and then one young man sang a sea shanty and we all stamped and clapped along. By then we were out of the harbor and I knew I was in BIG trouble.

The sea was rough and there was enough motion that I was sea sick almost immediately. I managed to ask Gerard to get me a barf bag just before breakfast began to return. To make a long sad story a bit shorter and less sad I was sick the entire trip. I only had some fruit and yogurt for breakfast but I am sure it multiplied during the short time I carried it. I made it do a return to the surface several times. I stopped for a little while during the time spent at the reserve. I managed to take a couple of quick pictures of the puffins before we began to move again and I began to replay the past half hour adding dry heaves to the mix and then more returns of breakfast to the surface. 

 The young people were very helpful bringing me barf bags....4 or 5 of them ( I lost count)  paper towels and wet wipes and water.

I was so glad to return to land . Fortunately Ken got lots of pictures of puffins that I can add to the book.

After we left Bay Bulls we headed for Cape Spear. Along the way we passed several small villages. One was the village of Petty Harbour.. This is the home of Alan Doyle.

When we arrived at Cape Spear it was almost entirely fogged in. There are 2 light houses there but they could not be seen through the fog.Can you see them?

This is what you should be seeing.

 I was still not feeling heardy, I was tired so I did not roam around much. I had a quick peak in the gift shop. We got a model of Cape Spear. Ken walked further but I got back on the bus.

We left the cape and headed back to the delta. On the way back we enjoyed the view and Gerard passed out Puffin Poop for everyone. Actually it was chocolate covered raisins. 

At the arrival at the Delta we said good bye to Gerard and Terry and headed to our room.

We were very tired and we decided to eat a small snack and have a nap. 

We went down to the Pinacle restaurant had supper and toured the hotel a little and then called it a night.

We head home tomorrow. The taxi has been ordered and the bording passes are safely stored on my cell phone.

Working

 I have no idea what I was doing last evening but what ever it was I could not get on to blog. But first thing this morning I tried and it was fine. 

Now to try to catch up. I hard it hard to do it the next day but here it goes.

We headed for Brigus and spent an hour and a half there. It is another place where old building have been reconstructed or restored. We were divided into 2 groups and we wer in Gerards group. Our goal was to go and visit the tunnel. This was a tunnel dug by a fisherman who wanted his boat closer to the shore for easy unloading. So he dug a tunnel through the mountain. 

We also spent time touring the Hawthorne Cottage , a beautifully reconstructed home of one of the more famous residents. I do not really remember the claim to fame , you will have to google it. LOL

It really was well done.

I remebr now... he was a fomous sea captain. Check out the boards.

We also got a quick look at Ye old Stone Barn, and St. George Heritage church.

By the time we finished walking around we were beat. My bad knee was yelling as was Ken's back. We were glad to get back on the bus.

We boarded the bus and headed for St. John's We had to go for lunch on our own.We were only a block away from George Street but it was uphill so we stayed on Water Street. We found an Irish Pub . 

There was a mural of the Clancy brothers just inside the door so in we went. The food was good and we were seated near the window so we could enjoy people watching as we drank our beer and enjoyed our lunch. Ken had a chowder and I had cod and home fries.

After lunch we returned to the bus and our new guide was there. He was the St.John's expert. We drove around the city while he expounded on what we were seeing. He was a retired musician who has been in many careers and had many stoties to tell. As Terry drove he told us about the buildings we were passing. Some I remember, some I do not. 

Signal Hill

The fun part was the opportunity to see Jelly Bean row. Apparently the government of St.John's will help with the cost of painting your home. The rule is that your house cannot be the same color as your neighbours. If you allow your home to look shabby the city will tell you that you must paint and if you do not they will paint it and present you with the bill.

The final land mark to see was mile Zero. It was special to see. 

We arrived at the Delta and headed for our room. It was really very nice. The hotel seems beautiful. We will have to try to find time to look around.

We were greeted by a member of the staff and we got our keys and breakfast vouchers and a cookie and juice. This was about 4:30 and our special dinner was scheduled for 7:00.

We had time to rest and I ironed Ken's shirt. Tonight was to be special so we had to get dressed a little.

The food was traditional Newfoundland fare, jigs dinner and figgy pudding were features. Gerard bought everyone a drink. He proposed a toast to new friends and our trip. He wrote and read a very moving poem.

We even had a musician performing traditional music. It was a lovely evening, a perfect finish to a special holiday.

Tomorrow is our last day.