Day 74 Lans Amour 1st July 2015 CANADA DAY
It is Canada Day.
Today begins with a Ferry ride. As we sit in the vehicle queue to board it is a surprise to learn the ferry’s bow lifts up (not the stern flattening out) to enable vehicles off and on. We watch as a large lorry tries to exit. Not easy negotiating the narrow turns and angles exit.
On the ferry it’s a ride complete with singalong – entirely Canadian songs today for Canada Day. This included Newfoundland songs Tony had already begun to teach in preparation for a ‘kitchen party’ sometime this week. Two of the Newfoundland songs have been going round and round in my brain ever since:
“Jack was every inch a sailor,
Five and twenty years a whaler
Jack was every inch a sailor
He was born upon the bright blue sea”
This one I had not heard before. Chris remembered it from a Burl Ives album of Sea Shanties his Dad had played when Chris was young.
The second is a song I love. I even disputed it with Tony as I did not believe it was a Newfoundland song. Emphatically corrected and verified by Google.‘Sonny’s Dream’ written by Newfoundlander – Ron Hynes in the 1970s. Oh such disappointment it is not the ancient Irish ballad I had thought. Still love it. The composer of the song: Ron Hynes.
It was great to see the original but Emmylou Harris, Mary Black and Dolores Keane are irresistable:
Once the bus was expertly manoeuvred off the small ferry – complete with applause for Al – we headed for L’anse Amour – the lighthouse, and lunch.
Lunch was a Canada day affair – a large red and white cake and little Canadian flag badges.
Within the lighthouse it was simple to imagine you were in ages past. History and artifacts – including a dresser made by one of the lighthouse keepers for his wife. Made from the wood washed up after a shipwreck.
Chris was particularly tickled by the story of the British ship the Raleigh wrecked on the shore and in short eventually blown up by the Brits to end the shame of constantly being in the news. It also supplied locals with goodies, including rum, for quite some time.
After lunch another ferry crossing, this time to Battle Harbour. No bus this time just a mail ferry and whistlingly cold weather.
While waiting, I kept warm in the small museum where around the walls was a sketch of the life of Dr Grenfell: an English Doctor, who worked with the NFL and Labrador fishing communities throughout his life. He is described as a Doctor, Missionary, Social Justice advocate and many more roles.
The boat ride was like no other. Jean and I up on the bow, dancing and screaming with delight. ICEBERGS – our first, the Atlantic sea, AND Humpback whales. It was cold. Not-enough-layers-cold!!
Coming in to Battle Harbour was like a movie scene. A reconstructed fishing village in the mist and dusk of the day.
Rooms were a treat – right down to Cogyuchi organic sheets – I want some!
Dinner of Cod cakes then an invitation to share Screech and Iceberg ice at Tony and Al’s place.
Who could refuse! It seems most – it was only Jim, Mary, Marcelle, Chris and I who made the trek. This particular Screech (rum) much smoother than I anticipated. Without a doubt the 15,000 year old ice helped.
It was a challenge. Walking back across a rocky path, on a dark misted night, with only Marcelle’s torch on an accidental lighthouse blinking cycle – Oh and a few Screeches to add to the challenge!
