Friday 12th August 2011……Day 49 and the first not so great day!!

Reluctantly left Jude and Rick’s this morning it really was a wonderful stay and was on the road and after about 40km arrived at

which is

How neat that I live near the most westerly point and now at the very far end!!

The weather changes here by the minute..the fog drifted in and out all day with one sunny stretch in between….

It was neat to be here and feel the power of the ocean, hear the fog horns and know the danger out on these waters.

Three or four people recommended the next stop to me…

It was advertised as a 2 hour whale watching and bird sanctuary tour and it cost me 55 dollars!!

I think those that know me know that I am very laid back and easy going but this cruise really got to me..the boat

was full about 60 people and we left and travelled for about 35 minutes to Gull Island and slowed and went down one side of the Island and saw the nesting colonies of gulls and puffins (sorry Janet no photos).  We then travelled another 20 minutes and rounded another bird Island. The boat then turned around and came back to the harbour.  Their was a young lady doing a narrative and she also sang three songs..she did give lots of information on the birds…at the end she said if you enjoyed the tour tell your friends if you didn’t shut up!!!  She then said of course she was joking and to feel free to say if you have concerns.

Well you know me I got off the boat and asked one of the crew who I could talk to to register a complaint and the man said that I would be the best person as I own the company.  I very politely told him I felt like I had been taken for 55 dollars…I told him his company had been recommended by at least three people but I thought I was going out on a whale watching tour as well as visiting the bird sanctuary.  He was on the boat so he knows what I was saying I also told him that the word WHALE was not mentioned once.  I said I know the whales don’t just automatically pop up when a tour boat goes by but not to mention that you were looking for whales by sight and radio and no mention of it I felt cheated.  He was obviously taken back but told me that they were looking for whales and there were none around…so why did you not inform us?  No answer…..by now I just wanted to leave and as a small business owner in my past life if it had been me I would have offered a refund , a T shirt something to pacify the customer and have him leaving with not a bad taste…..but I was offered nothing……so I feel very disappointed and hence in a small protest no photos !!!

I then drove a few more miles to a kayak company that had also been recommended, Stan Cook’s Kayaks where I spoke to Mrs.Cook and inquired about the kayak trips and she was just great and told me that the whales were not around and on their trips they had not seen whales for over a week and as much as she would like my business she would not feel right taking me out today…..what a different attitude and I told her I appreciated her honesty.

I then continued around the peninsular but most of the time it was like this

but there were breaks along the way..

Interesting sign!!

It was getting dusk and time for me to find somewhere to stop and here I am in the parking lot of the municipal building of Mount Carmel.

I had supper and that was a disappointment too I had bought a small beef roast in a vacuum sealed bag that just needed a few minutes in the micro wave but it was so tough!!!!

So plan B I had some nice toast and jam!!!

Now tea and a movie……I do want to share everything the good days and the not so and it this was the first day that was not a 10…..BUT no worries I am still a happy camper!!!

Thursday August 11th 2011……..a great evening!!!

So after all the chores were done this afternoon I drove down to the local Bakery..

this is the bakery where Kirsten works and I stocked up on a few supplies and one of the ladies working there took me around saying you have buy this you have to buy this it is a Newfie delicacy so I finished up well stocked!!

I then went for a walk down to the beach

It was a nice walk and the rain stopped and I did enjoy the fresh air…this is Ramona’s home for the last three nights…

It was now 4pm and time for me to have 45 minutes of pure luxury here!!!!!

I do miss a good soak so this was really enjoyable!!!

When the family came home we drove down to a famous fish and chip restaurant Ches’s where I indulged myself it was great company, and great food…..and I even got a certificate for eating there as a first time guest!!!!

 

 

That is Kirsten next to Rick and then Ashley…both great young ladies!!!

After supper the girls went off in one vehicle to look at dresses and Rick took me on a tour of the lesser seen sights of St.John’ s very interesting we saw some really old and small houses…back at the house Robert was over and he gave me some Moose in a bottle…it really is moose preserved in a bottle ready for me to eat.

 

I want to thank Jude and Rick they have been awesome hosts so kind to me sharing their home , their family and their lives…..thank you!!

I leave you with one of Rick’s good lines tonight…he told me to watch out tomorrow the weather is changing it is going to be 20 degrees…….10 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon!!!!

So I leave in the morning and hope to tour most of the Island starting out here..

My route will be to follow the pins from right to left…I will post when I can and I know this is going to be a great adventure!!!

Thursday 11th August 2011…you know how…

I often started my blog especially in the Winter months with..”Woke up to another sunny warm day”….well PAYBACK TIME!!!!

It is dreary, cool, windy, dull and spitting with rain and the long range forecast is much of the same…but it will not spoil my fun or my travels.

Jude and Rick are at work all day and they insisted I make myself at home and I have…..I bought some chicken, pork chops and steak yesterday so this morning I put them all on the BBQ and now in the freezer I have lots of dinners ready.

I did all my laundry and everything is clean and then I went into Ramona and cleaned her from top to bottom everywhere, vacuumed and now when I leave in the morning all will be spotless my tanks and water jugs are filled…it was nice to have a down time day and catch up on domestic duties and so nice to have a lovely home and friends willing to let me do this…RICK if you read this none of the above is true because I know you will charge me lots extra for all the electricity!!! Too funny…when they come home from work some of the family and I are going down town to a Fish and Chip shop and I am going to sample the local fare of Fish and Chips, with dressing and gravy!!!!!

At least I haven’t succumbed yet to the Newfie BEDLUNCH!!!!  A meal before I go to bed!!!

Must get changed and go for a long walk…will write more tonight!!

Wednesday 10th August 2011…….I am talking Newfie already!!

Cannot believe I slept in till 9.15am this morning!!!!  Jude and Rick and left already for work but the night before they  gave me a key for the house and told me to help myself to anything!!!

So kind….after breakfast I got ready and drove about 30km to Costco where I stocked up on groceries because when I leave here on Friday I shall be in the outback a little so will make sure my freezer is full and a well stocked fridge.

I then went down town St.John's for a while and it is quite a small down town core took a few photos

I then went to

and was just in time for a small military tattoo which you know by now I enjoy..this one was very well performed!!

My only complaint it was cold…but at least dry.

I then went for a hike around the fortifications

Beautiful view of the channel and the harbour entrance!!

I guess i missed!!!!

After I took this photo the fog came in out of no where and this was the result about 2 minutes later!!!

Had a great day!!

Found my way back home and Jude and Rick’s friend Robert came over and cooked supper.  Another first for me…deep fried turkey!!!

Here she goes!!!

One hour later!!!!

Boy did it taste so good!!!!

I call Rick the money man he has a sense of humour like me and he is keeping a tally of everything I use or eat to bill me when I leave he thinks I am leaving on Friday but I will sneak out in the middle of the night to avoid paying!!!

We sat around and talked again and it was just a very pleasant evening…….they are so friendly so kind and I feel so lucky!!!!!

So now I speak English, Zen Spanish and a few words of Newfie!!!!!

Tuesday August 9th 2011….welcome to

The remainder of the ferry ride was easy I had another nap, listened to some live music, had some cereal and spent well over one hour talking with this neat and lovely local lady,  Natalie,  who was coming back home to the Island.  Her training was in Tourism and she was very proud of her Island and gave me tips, drew me maps of where I should and should not go and also her address and I am sure I may see her again on my travels.  I thought before I arrived that I could see the Island in two weeks but I now know that is not possible and as I am on no time table I shall stay till I am done I already know this is going to be just an awesome trip.  I heard briefly on the news that there is this HUGE iceberg that is coming down to NF so I do hope at some point i will get to see this!!

Some views of and from the ferry

From the terminal I drove about 20 minutes to the first rest area where I pulled over for a power nap!!

As you can see it is not raining but quite dull!!

Now a bit of background you have read about my 30 years plus friendship with Gail and Larry who live in Kelowna well Gail has a sister Jude, who lives in NF so when my plans were made Gail contacted Jude and they offered for me to go visit.

They live about 20 minutes outside St.John’s so I had their address and about 5.30pm I was ringing their door bell…this is the truth and the whole truth within 40 seconds I was sitting down at the dinner table eating a delicious my kind of a meal…minced stew, pots and peas and gravy!!!!!!   I knew the island hospitality was going to be good BUT>>>>So I met Jude who tells me we met years ago in Smoky Lake, her husband Rick and their family……everyone was so kind and we had a great evening exchanging stories…again I am blessed with such kind and wonderful friends!!!!

I will stay here a couple of days and go see St.John’s tomorrow and Jude and Rick and a friendly neighbour are going to cook a deep fried turkey for me tomorrow!!!!!

Life is good!!!!!   Now if only I could understand what they are saying!!!!!!  Not only the accent but the half hour time difference too…..gotta love this place!!!

Tuesday 9th August 2011….modern technology!!

So here I am miles from anywhere 8 hours into the crossing and I have Internet!!!

The ship is huge and quite new and although there are over 700 people on board lots of room I opted not to spend extra money on a cabin and here is my own little private corner

I did manage about 4 hours sleep and feel pretty good I have lots of reading and planning to do….

So sad all the terrible happenings in England right now…..

 

Just to let you know Croft has been banned from the blog for a week…..he dared to make a comment on my pants,,,typical Canucks fan…then Sara had to get her two cents in so she will suffer the ban as well…Stella on the other hand was quite diplomatic!!!