Port Aux Basques, Southwest Newfoundland

Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

These are the wharfs at Port Aux Basques:

 

A bit of history:

(You can click on the photos in order to enlarge the writing)

 

 

 

 

This is Brainard Blackmore (mentioned above).  We were totally amazed the first time we met him.  He is a fine example of the friendly and welcoming spirit of most Newfoundlanders.  He visits every "boat from away" and offers rides for provisions or fuel, or just sits and chats for a while.  Now we look forward to seeing him each time that we visit Port Aux Basques.  If you see him, make sure you give him our best.

 

 

 

 

Later in the day, the weather changes and there is nothing to be seen outside the harbor entrance except fog.

 

But the wind is favorable for our passage across the Cabot Strait to Nova Scotia so we head out as the day comes to a close.  The wharfs look empty as we leave, but hopefully this is only because there is no fishing right now.

 

As we exit the harbor we see the ferry, that goes between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

 

Goodbye Newfoundland --- Until next time:

 

As we pass the breakwater we melt into the pea soup fog --- Oh boy, this is going to be fun being that our radar is broken.


 

(Click on link to "Older Posts" just below and to right to get to next set of photos.)  

Moving West To Port Aux Basques, Southwest Newfoundland

Monday, August 26th, 2013

In the early morning light we must sadly leave Grand Bruit behind: 

 

The topography of the coast is much lower as we travel west:

 

We had to assume that this was the ferry supplying the out-ports of this section of the southwest shore:

Looking eastward, over our shoulder:

 

This is the restored Rose Blanche Lighthouse.  We recently read that the non-profit organization in charge of this project could not financially continue to maintain the beautiful stone structure and so it was no longer open to the public.

 

Here we are approaching Channel Head/Port Aux Basques, which is a busy ferry and fishing harbor, and also a jumping off point for Nova Scotia.

Traffic Services maintains control of all traffic in and out of this tight harbor much like an airport.  From their perch overlooking the harbor (the building on the left) they keep everyone separated as the ferries are on tight schedules and cannot easily yield to smaller vessels.



(Click on link to "Older Posts" just below and to right to get to next set of photos.)  

Grand Bruit, Southwest Newfoundland

Sunday, August 25th, 2013  (Post #2)

Late in the day we turn into one of our favorite out-ports on the southwest shore of Newfoundland.  Unfortunately, all the residents were relocated three years ago, so now the village is essentially abandoned with the exception of when the former residents return for visits. 



 

The former out-port was once a thriving fishing village.

 

 

The name "Grand Bruit" meaning Great Noise is very appropriate for this town which is built around a beautiful waterfall that drains into the harbour.

 

 

Surprisingly the floating dock was still in place and usable:

 

In an isolated village such as this the residents learn to be self sufficient, and they relied on both hunting and fishing to achieve that goal.

 

When we visited this year the village was a ghost town and we were the only people there.  However, the buildings were very well preserved.

 

The white building with red trim is the old "Cramalott Inn."  It is nothing more than a rustic building hanging on the side of the hill, but it was the local gathering place and watering hole where memories are made, reviewed, and expanded upon.

 

 

 

The view of the harbor from the Cramalott Inn:

Every one of these coastal towns has a church on the top of a hill above the town:

The school house --- all grade levels were addressed and they even had a "Community Access Program" which we found often provides better internet access than what we get back in the "States."  The Canadian government does a top notch job of taking care of it's children. 

 

This old front door on one of the homes shows the way of life that once existed as well as reflecting the harbour as it is today.

 

An old root cellar:

 

 

This is a superb natural harbour:

 

 

"Oops --- Who let the dog out?"

 

 

A piece of history:

 

Now all the stages are empty:

 

As the evening sun was setting the old town was beautiful with the resulting shadows.  We were lucky enough to see a caribou walk through the town.

Grand Bruit remains a "Tidy Town" and a beautiful one it is:

 



(Click on link to "Older Posts" just below and to right to get to next set of photos.)  

The Spectacular Southwest Shore of Newfoundland

Sunday, August 25th, 2013  (Post #1)

Sunrise at the out-port of Francois:

 

The lighthouse at the entrance to Francois Harbour --- they are all automated now a days.

 

We never ceased to be amazed as we travel west along the shore.

 

Along the way, fjords cut into the coast: 

Farther west the coastline is lower and the ridge of mountains is set back from the shore:

 

(Click on link to "Older Posts" just below and to right to get to next set of photos.)