Newfoundland & France - Aug 12 - 15

Aug 12 – Good news! Denis thought we needed to replace a front wheel bearing so we stayed an extra day in Green’s Harbour. They took the truck in at 8:30 in the morning and by 9:30 they had rotated the tires and pronounced it roadworthy. After a short visit to Come By Chance, we headed south through Swift Current. Denis visited Vernon’s Antique Toy Shop, a car museum. He was very impressed with the quality, the number and the rare special production models. At Boat Harbour we toured a fisherman’s house that was floated from one of the islands during resettlement and we had a nice chat with the ladies in the craft shop. We booked tickets to St. Pierre, in the morning we’re off to France for a couple days.

Just a few of the world class 'toys'

Aug 13 - 15 - We got on the ferry at 9:30, a foggy rainy morning but by the time we arrived in St. Pierre the weather was much improved. We checked into the hotel and started exploring up hill and down.  It's very picturesque, colourful homes and business built on the hills surrounding the harbour. The downside is there is no industry besides a bit of fishing and tourism and they have to import everything! The island is 10 sq. miles with 90% of the population in the town of the same name. There are 6000 people, 5000 cars and 25 km of street/roads, and no trees. We were there during the Basque Festival, the majority of residents are of Basque heritage. They play a game similar to racquetball, against a huge outdoor wall. We watched a few games and had lunch at a booth there, confit de canard (duck). Then it was time to catch the ferry back to Fortune. It was a bit of a rough ride for awhile.

Double happiness, cannons & a lighthouse

The Wall

Just waiting for the duck

Tomorrow it's on to the Bonavista Peninsula.

August is half over and we still have a lot of this province to see!