Day 65 & 66 North Sydney, NS to St. Andrew’s, NL

Tuesday, July 23

Ferry from North Sydney, NS to Port aux Basques to St. Andrews

Plenty of time in the morning to get to the ferry from North Sydney as the terminal is about 15 minutes away.  We had to be there 2 hours early so we were there by 9:30 am and the ferry leaves at 1pm.   These newer ferries are quite comfy and carry up to 1,000 passengers.  The dining room has a menu with 3 choices or Salad/soup then pick a main course and dessert (2 choices) plus help yourself to a drink for $17.50.  Once we got out of the bay near North Sydney the weather cooled off!!

North Sydney ferry terminal

View from ferry 10 minutes out

 The crossing was very smooth.  While everyone slept I read my book.  There are TV’s with a choice of 3 channels to watch you just need headphones.  The snack bar was on the deck above us and for those that want peace and quiet there is a room on deck 8 reserved with very comfy chairs. 



What a temperature change arriving in Port aux Basques, raining and windy.  Off the ferry and on the road by about 7:30 pm Newfy time.  We were staying in St. Andrews visiting with Kay Brown’s family.  Ross and John worked with her husband in Kitimat and she just happened to be visiting her family.  We just had to drive 30 km on the TCH and then 10 km to the Codroy valley.  Calling Kay from the church she came and got us.  We were only a few minutes from her house.  After getting all set up and having a quick dinner it was time to go in and meet the family.  We were introduced to Kay’s mom Mabel, sister Joanne, and brothers Daniel, Darryl and Tony.  There are 4 more siblings but live elsewhere.  We stayed up until after midnight, way past our bedtime!

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance: 53 km 
Weather:  Sunshine with clouds; High: 23 degrees; Lo: 17 degrees
Campsite:  Kay Brown’s mom’s place
Today’s News:  Kate & William have named their son George Alexander Louis
 

Wednesday, July 24

Hopped into Kay’s car and got the tour of Port aux Basques.  Spread out around the bay, its deceiving as to the size from what you see at the ferry, population about 4,300.  Built on the rocks so the streets are not straight and houses are right beside the street with no yard. There is a Railway Heritage Museum as the railway was dismantled about 1970.   It has a Tim Horton’s!

Drove back to the Codroy Valley about 40 km then on route 407 to Cape Anguille and walked around the light house.  It has been automated and the keeper’s house is now an Inn.  The fog and wind let up so we got to enjoy the beach and mountain views in the area.  Kay took us to their swimming and fishing places.  Who knew these places were hidden away from the highway and behind the short trees.

Codroy River

Cape Anguille

I was surprised to see farmland in this area.  Also the Anguille Mountains just north of the Codroy Valley are known for their winds.  There are alerts when they are blowing up to 160 km off Table Mountain.  The winds use to blow the trains off their tracks and now can blow the semis off the highway.  Today the truckers are alert to the winds so they know when to stay off the road.  Another favourite of the locals is Bakeapple.  It is a small cluster fruit, one per bush relative to the raspberry.



Picked up chicken @ Hynes Villa

After dinner about 9:00 pm we headed to the “Club”, the community hall.  People come from all over the valley and Wednesday night’s local talent comes out to sing and play.  Each group that took the stage did 3 numbers then the next act came on stage.  The place was packed, we estimated about 300 people enjoying the entertainment ranging from 30 to 70 years young! Talented people.

The Club 

 

Daily Stats: 
Today's distance:  km 
Weather:  Clouds and wind, fog in the morning; High: 24 degrees; Lo: 16 degrees
Campsite:  Kay Brown’s mom’s place

Newfoundland Stats:
Nickname:  The Rock
Flower:  Pitcher Plant
Bird:  Atlantic Puffin