East Coast Trail continues!

Looking down over the side of the trail! 

Beautiful, but steep!

Narrow steep climbs.

Steps drilled and bolted into the bare rock so that you can reach the next hight of land.  Don't miss a step our you will fall "ker-splash" into the sea 200 ft. below!

After about 2 hours, I came to a place I could not pass by alone so I had to take a photo of the far point where the light house was, and turn about and make my way back!

It was a wonderful hike though .. and would have love to be-able to remain another day to make it out to the light house!

When I returned to the B&B I took a few moments to explore the grounds, and beach there. This lovely boardwalk led down to the beach. Here I enjoyed the incoming tide surge as it rose onto the rock.  They also had a lovely fire pit that you could enjoy on a warm summer evening!  Truly a wonderful place to stay!

Bread and Breakfast -Bay Bulls

Our first B&B in NFL was at Bay Bulls.  Wanda our quilting friend from Gatheralls phoned to make sure we could stay and I must say it was a perfect setting. Sitting high above the  shoreline its views of the bay and the Icebergs was perfect!

Our Hostess was wonderful and we had a very nice stay.

Our room was the far right on the corner! 

Coralee was extremely happy to see Icebergs from our Window!

In the afternoon while the girls were resting, I decided to take a little walk. Our hostess told me about the "EAST COAST TRAIL" which was accessible just about 1/2km. from our B&B.

She told me it was a moderate to difficult trail that I could follow out to a light house on the far point. It was only 5 km. away. She told me it was a well marked tail.  So I decided to give it a go and check it out!  I am so glad I did!

The start of the "East Coast Trail" at Bay Bulls.

The trail was well marked and well traveled so I head out to see where it would lead me to!

In places it was very narrow, and they had made steps to navigate the terrain. If you were to step off the side of the path here you would fall 500 ft. into the ocean at this point!

Wouldn't want to negotiate this in the dark!

LOBSTER! WHO HAS THE LOBSTER?!

Now some people come to NFL to see Icebergs, others to see the Puffins, well I like all of these things too,....however first and foremost I was looking for my first "East Coast - Atlantic Lobster Dinner!"

After our tour was completed I asked the fellows were I could get a great "Fresh from the Sea" Lobster Dinner. I told them I was willing to purchase the creature live, and buy a pot, and boil the water on the beach if need be ...I was in desperate need of my first Lobster Dinner!

They smiled and pointed up the dock to the  Restaurant run by who else?...... Gatheralls! They checked their watches and said if I hurried that the chef might still be there and he could find a fresh lobster or two!  Believe me it didn't take me long to get off the dock and up to the restaurant!.  As we were the only customers .. he was happy to oblige even though it was getting late to serve yet another meal.   We were not to be disappointed.  The lobster was brought to the kitchen live, and onto our plates in record time! and it was   "FANTASTIC!"  Not over cooked, not covered with fancy sauces, just simple, fresh, and GOOOOOOOODDDDD!

Yep everyone enjoyed the meal!

Pamela enjoying the "Lobster" the flavor was like no other! 

 This was to become only the beginning of Pamela's adventures into the unique Cuisine of NFL.  Her motto soon became, come to NFL ... then eat like the NewFoundlanders!

After all when you are here make the  most of your adventure!  Continue reading about this adventure, and you will see that she did not shun away from any taste experience!  

Sorry Ruffus and Puffet!  Only empty shells for you!

We Meet Our First NewFoundland Quilter!

Okay,...these are not Quilters!  They are Actually the Fellows who Captained and entertained us on our boat Tour.

Starting from the left we have:

The "Singer/Entertainer/Information Person" who managed to keep us in good spirits, and gave us an understanding of just what we were seeing along our voyage. 

 The middle Fellow, was on this day our Boats Captain. He handled the boat with great skill, and was always aware of where we where and kept us safe,...  however close enough to enjoy the views.  

"The Other Fellow" ... he definitely had an role in the whole adventure, keeping the other two "Boys" in toe, and making sure that all persons were being looked after. Injecting just enough information to keep the spirits high, and the laughter rolling along!  I can say that this tour was in the True NewFoundland Form, and us "off islanders" were soon looking for a dictionary of NFL terms and phrases so that we could decipher some of the terminology!

 Great Bunch of fellows ... A Tour anyone would enjoy!  That was "Gatheralls" ..(no they did not ask me to say this) .... I want too! if you go to NFL take a tour with them you will not be disappointed!)

Now this is Wanda!

 The first NewFoundland Quilter that we were to meet! 

 She was the person who booked our Tour for us at Gatheralls, and kept "Shop"!  

Wanda is a delightful lady! Like her quilts she is cheerful, and friendly!

Wanda's quilts are made in the "Scrappy Quilt" form, and they are right up Pamela's alley with the way she uses bright colors!

First Stop "Bay Bulls!"

                                                                                          

Bay Bulls NewFoundland!

 Located about 30 min. Southeast of St. Johns. Was to be our first stop on our tour of the Avalon Peninsula! 

 

 It was here that we would actually take to the "Seas", and board a Tour Boat to view, Icebergs, and Puffins.  It was too early in the season for the Whales to have arrived yet!

The Tour company that we choose to tour with  was " Gatheralls."

 Pamela thought that this would be a good choice, as the vessel was a Catamaran , and these boats are very stable in the water and for those folks who have not developed their "Sea Legs" so to speak this vessel would provide a smoother, ride with less rocking than other boats might offer. 

It was an excellent choice even if I must say so myself!

  The voyage was smooth, even though the waters had a slight ripple. And the Crew was Excellent!  And we saw Icebergs up close, and Puffins! And at the end of the voyage they even pointed us toward our first "Fresh from the Docks .... Lobster Dinner!"

Our Tour Vessel at dock.

                                                                                                    

        Of Corse "Ruffus" didn't take Pamela's word for it and had to check out the Pilot House himself. Fortunately for us, he approved and we would soon be off on our first Adventure!

      

Icebergs Abound!

These icebergs were located in Bay Bulls.

They are called "Growlers". It is the sound the iceberg makes as it comes to stop due to the fact that the bottom 2/3's of the iceberg has come to a stop because it has hit too shallow water, and is hung up on the ocean bottom.

If you were to go diving you would see the ocean floor marked with "iceberg trails". As the weeks go by they melt, and breakup and move closer in.  Small chunks of icebergs that have broken off larger icebergs are called......."Berger bits" of course! 

One thing that is absolutley stunning is the color of the ice as the sun shines through!

You always know that you are approaching an iceberg as the air quickly becomes cooler. All of us were glad we were wearing warm winter coats!

Birds, Icebergs, and Burger Bits!

We came to NFL to Quilt and to find Icebergs, and Puffins! And we were not to be disappointed ! 

Our wonderful Tour Crew took us out to "Bird Island", to view Puffins!

Although there were only a few Puffins at the island at this point .(early arrivers) we did get a peek at a few.

Notice the Burrows into the ground, .. this is were a Puffin lays and raises it chicks.  The Burrowing in time kills any larger plant life such as shrubs and trees. Puffin Nesting grounds tend to be void of anything besides grass. These burrows can be 4 ft. deep! 

Puffins only come to land to nest for a period of 3 months each year.  After the nesting is completed they return out to sea, sometimes as far as 200 miles out to stay until the "desire to nest" returns in the spring again!  

 

Bird Island is also the home to other ocean birds. 

Petrels and Marlins also nest on the rock cliffs of the island.

Now with all those birds living in such a small space you can only imagine what the smell might be on a warm windless summer day!  We were fortunate that the day was sunny however due to the back we were here then end of May, the air was cool!  

Our trusty crew however warned us that when looking up it is advisable to keep ones "Mouth Closed!"  

Good advise I say as when the birds take to the air there are "Thousands"!

Trip to NewFoundland continues!

By 9:30 in the evening we were so excited to see Coralee and Ruffus arrive in St. Johns also! At last our little group was complete!  Well nearly!

You see Coralee's luggage didn't quite keep up to her! Ruffus and her quickly showed the fellows what her bag looks like and they assured her that it would be at our hotel in the morning.

So they gave her a "overnight" travelers kit and off we all went to seek out supper!

 We soon found a pub that would serve us some yummy appetizers, and Pamela and Ruffus enjoyed our first beer in St. Johns!

Of course, I couldn't resist a nice plate of fresh cooked Mussels!  Mmm now this is living!

After filling our tummies we head back to the room , and while us girls got organized Ruffus checked out the map for our next days exploring!

Then he settled down for a well deserved sleep curtsey of Air Canada, in the "Travelers Kit Bag!"

We head out of St. Johns about 30 min. headed for the small community of Bay Bulls, looking for a  boat tour to see Puffins, and Icebergs!  We stopped along the way to visit a post office, and what do you think!  Ruffus met a "Local" Girl and invited her along for a ride! (Now could we say no? Puffett is so Sweet!)

Quilting at the Edge 2008 -Quilt Canada

Several ladies have been asking me just what I did and what did I see at Quilt Canada - Quilting at the Edge in St. Johns NFL.  So I thought, it is was time to begin updating my postings and give you a peek at what you all missed! 

This is a photo of "Roffus" - Coralee's Kitwanga 

mascott keeping an eye on the scenery on the drive down to Prince George in the afternoon.

We all road down with Dorothy. Dorothy and I were to board the plane in Prince George at 8:30 in the evening.  Coralee and "Roffus" would follow the next day as their flight would not leave until the following morning.  

It was great to be able to fly with Dorothy a "well seasoned" travelor as I have never flown any further than Vancouver, and needed the traveling pointers that Dorothy could pass on to me.  

 I really did not know what I was  to expect when flying the "Red Eye" ....now I know why they call it just that!

Our flight landed in Vancouver on time, around 

8:30. Our next leg of our flight would leave Vancouver at 11:30pm and we would land in Toronto at 6:45 am (Toronto time) the following morning!  

I knew I would be tired but thought that I would sleep on the flight from Vancouver to Toronto!

Okay I have to admit I didn't sleep all night at home! Excitement! and a little bit of apprehension was a major factor! 

I was soon to learn why they have coined the term "Red Eye Flights" and that they mean just that! 

I barely slept a wink this night either! by 6:30 am(Ontario time)  we were flying over the lakes of Northern Manitoba, and Ontario! At last something to see out of the window!

Our arrival in Toronto Int. Airport was on time. We only had about 45 min. to get off our plane, grab a quick cup of coffee from the Coffee vendor,and a egg muffin breakfast before we were to board our plane for the last leg to St. John's NFL!  (No we were not offered a opportunity to purchase a breakfast on board our flight)

Feeling a bit disoriented and "Extremely" tired I sure was glad that Dorothy could lead me about the Airport!

The next leg of our flight would be on a board a slightly smaller plane. I was really excited about watching out of the window of the plane as now it was day light and I could actually snap photos!  It was a  splendid flight.  The passenger in the seat beside me was a fellow from NFL heading home from the Oil Patch in Northern Alberta. He was looking forward to seeing his wife and kids and was very familiar with this leg of  our journey. 

                                                                                       

We saw hundreds of icebergs in the golf of St.                                                                                    Lawrence!

I was looking forward to snapping lots of photo's of our flight across "The Rock".  Alas that was not to be in the flight plan though! Just after we saw the first bit of shore line, the clouds quickly covered the landscape.  Soon the Captain announced due to sever winds we could expect a rough ride for the next 20 min. until we landed! Great! 

My face must have show my apprehension and yes ... fear.  The fellow passenger beside me in attempted to reassure me as to the flying skills of the NFL pilots. He went on to tell me .. that he has flown in during a down right blizzard, where the plane was bouncing 50 60 ft. and when the wheels hit the run way it was covered in snow! And the pilot handled the landing flawlessly! (okay ... I guess the point was it was only pouring rain outside and blowing a 45 knt. wind .. so all was well? lets face it a tale of previous nasty flights didn't do much to calm my fears ... did the Captain remember to bring his "rabbit foot " with him this time also? I was to ask myself.  Okay .. sure I crossed all my fingers, and toes, and my legs!)  

Now ... as a "very" green passenger, not sure if I really like this whole flying thing ... I will tell you I was astounded at how the pilot managed to "softly tap the tarmac" on landing! 

On our return flights back home Dorothy and I rated all the remaining landings according to this landing and none of the other landings were any were near as smooth as this one in St. Johns! 

Dorothy and I were now in NFL! it was 2:30 in the afternoon NFL time the following day! 

We had not had breakfast yet!  We quickly checked out a car, and checked into our room! 

 Then we were on the search for a cafe' that would serve us Breakfast! One was quickly found and after filling our tummies with eggs, toast, and coffee, we suddenly realized just how tired we were! 

 Not to be deterred we decided that we couldn't risk going back to the room and falling asleep as we might not wake up and get to the airport to pick-up Coralee and Roffus ! 

So off  to do a little exploring around St. Johns!

 We soon found a knititng shop!... and then our first quilt fabric shop.  

We did a quick drive past the University were we would be staying during the Quilt Conference. 

 Very tired, now we knew we had to go back to our motel room and just chill until 9:30pm when we would go to the airport and Pick up Coralee and Roffus!