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Day 9

DAY 9: 

We had a later morning and it was great. Breakfast was at 8 and we did not leave until 9 so it was a welcomed change. It rained hard last night. We could hear it pounding on our window so we were not hopeful about today. It began dull and overcast but it was not raining. We headed out and as we drove the good weather came and went. Terry had to use the wipers a few times but it actually cleared up quite well. By the time we got to Bonavista it was beginning to get warm and itr was dry. The lighthouse was special. We were able to tour, we even got into the lamp room. The display of the keepers quarters was quite extensive . While outside on the grounds we saw a family of foxes and we saw some puffins. We were there for over an hour..

We left there and headed for Skippers and lunch ...The scenery along the way was worth a picture or 2.   

After lunch we headed for the Matthew Legacy. Here was an exact replica of the Matthew which was Cabots ship. The evolution of the voyage was told through the eyes and life of a young man who was the apprentice barber and surgeon. It was a unique and brilliant way to draw the viewer in. We were able to actually walk on the deck of the ship and see how small it was and we marvelled at the courage of these men. Cabot landed in NFLD not in the Carribbean as he had planned. But it was a great accomplishment.

Next stop was The Mockbeggar Plantation. It is a historical site. We were told that at that time the word plantation meant self contained.It definitely was interesting.

Next we headed back and stopped at Trinity. This is a village of reconstructed buildings. It is really interestung. There were far too many buildings to cover them all on just an hour and 15 minutes. We choose carefully.

In one of the houses was a mahagony table which had been builf using a log that had been submerger in water for a long time. Worms had bored holes in the table. I had never seen anything like it.

We began our walk to Erikson's because that is where we will have dinner. Dinner is at 5 and because lunch had been late no one is really hungry. 

The meal was great but most of it got left because it was entirely too much food. The food on this tour has been exceptional.

Next was the drive back here to the hotel. It was a sunny dry day again. We have been so lucky.

Tomorrow we head to St. John's. Our amaging trip with Atlantic Tours is coming to an end.

Day 8

Clarenville is a town on the east coast of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Clarenville was incorporated in 1951. It is located in the Shoal Harbour valley, fronting an arm of the Atlantic Ocean called Random Sound.

DAY 8: 

Saturday – Gander to Clarenville  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included A scenic drive along the rocky coast of Notre Dame Bay leads to the beautiful outport of Twillingate. At the tip of the island, visit the Long Point Lighthouse perched 300 feet above the sea and explore both the Twillingate Museum and the Prime Berth Fishing Museum. Visit Terra Nova National Park before arriving in Clarenville. Enjoy a two-night stay

Our day began sunny and cool. The sun shone for the first half of the day but the clouds soon began to roll in. The wind was cool and the cloud cover was very thick.

Gerard surprised us by wearing his Nova Scotia Tartan Kilt.

We began the day by taking a trip to Prime Berth. Here there is a museum of sorts. The owner Dave is a collector and he has displayed all of his gems all of the way from whale skeletons to full sized balene to fishing equipment and the list goes on . He has his opinion on government decisions and he made that clear. 

He demonstrated how to process a cod from the catch to the drying. A skill for sure. They had a very nice gift shop and there was a special sale for bus passengers.

We climbed back on the bus and the next stop was lunch. I had cod fish cakes and Ken had chowder. We had tarts for dessert.

Back on the bus. We covered lots of ground today because we were travelling across the island. The next big stop was to a lighthouse. Long Point Light was not open because it is early in the tourist season but we were able to take a lot of pictures.  The scenery was rugged and the air was cool. The wind had come up. For a few minutes there were a few sprinkles. Terry turned on the wipers for the first time since our tour began. It was also the first time ever because this it the inaugral trip for this bus. It even smells like a new vehicle.

Back on the bus and off to Terra Nova national park. They are still on summer hours so the visitors center was not open. They closed at 4 and it was 4:20. Got some great pictures.

Then off to Clairenville. 

Our room is lovely and we will be here for 2 nights. No getting suitcases out in the morning and we do not leave until nine. It is raining heavily now I sure hope it has stopped and it warm and sunny gain tomorrow.

Day 7

Gander is a town located in the northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 40 km south of Gander Bay, 100 km south of Twillingate and 90 km east of Grand Falls-Windsor.

DAY 7:  

Friday – Cow Head to Gander  Breakfast included Return to Gros Morne National Park to visit the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse, marking the marine approach to Rocky Harbour and the entrance of Bonne Bay since 1897, and then continue east through Central Newfoundland on to Gander. A stop at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum completes your day.

We had a full day and did all of the things mentioned above.

I am just too tired to try to add pictures or comments tonight. I just have to call it a night.

Sorry about that. I will try to catch up tomorrow when we are in Clarienville.

Our night will be spent at Sinbads.

When we arrived at our room there was a gift of 2 bottles of water and 2 NFLD tartan bags with 2 candies inside. The room was large and bright and clean and well appointed.

We stumbled upon a lobster fisherman coming into shore to unload his catch. They had a great system of pullies to get the boat on shore. It was fascinating to watch.

They had a good catch..300 pounds.

We added another lighthouse tyo our list. A guide answered questions and we took pictures from outside. We could not climb it.

Our last stop for the day was a visit to the Aviation museum. It featured the history of the gander airport with emphases on the history and fame of that airport. It was especially interesting to read the thank you letters written as a result of 911

Tomorrow we head for Clarienville.! We will be there for 2 nights, yeah!!!