Getting back to our Canada trip, we travelled from
Gander to the Twillingate Islands and the town of Twillingate in Notre Dame Bay. This once prosperous fishing community now
largely exists on tourism after the cod moratorium made fishing uneconomical.
Then there is the quaint Twillingate Museum that is
the former home of the church pastors.
I particularly enjoyed visiting St Peter's Anglican
church founded in 1845. Talking with the
two young ladies who opened the church for us, I learned that the current congregation
consists of about 30 regular attendees. It is well maintained on the inside and much of the history of the town can be gleamed
from walking the church grave yard.
Just on the edge of town is Long Point Lighthouse,
one of the most photographed in Newfoundland. There is a small exhibit in what
was the lighthouse keepers quarters. For
me, the lighthouse was not near as interesting as the wonderful views of the
Atlantic Ocean from a height of 300 feet above sea level in the bay that is
called the Iceberg Capital of Newfoundland. Ironically, we did not see any
icebergs here.
Our last stop on this tour was The Boyd's Cove Beothuk site. Excavations in the late 1900's
confirmed the existence of a seasonal Beothuk village that existed between 1650
and 1720. Unfortunately for these
hunter/gatherers, this coincided with the arrivals of the first Europeans to
the area. The natives chose to try and
avoid contact with the Europeans but they were competing for the same resources.
Over time they were pushed out of the
area and suffered from lack of food resources. They essentially starved to death and they
were thought to be extinct as a people by the 1820's
8 comments:
I love the Twillingate Museum. I can just picture the people living there and moving about in the different rooms.
WOW, to be in a church from 1845 is such a treat. It is gorgeous. I love the balcony.
I actually do think I have seen that Lighthouse either on TV or in a magazine article. Cool
The vistas of the water are breath taking. I just love looking at the crashing waves.
Awesome post.
Very interesting post. I too love the Twillingate museum. Such historic houses always seem so compelling. They make me feel I might be very much at home there. Very glad to see the lighthouse. I love every one and always enjoy all pictures of the beautiful sea and its scenic rocky coastline. Having been forced to abandon our trip to Newfoundland this year, I am especially enjoying your posts and was surprised to see Boyd's Cove. Now I'm really sorry I couldn't get thereto see if we are in anyway related. Although perhaps these Boyds were among those who displaced and treated so badly the Native peoples. That would make me sad.
Tomorrow (October 27th) is my birthday, and you have given me one of the best birthday presents with this post!!! I love all the vintage things here, the views, the houses, everything! Thank you so much for sharing.
I think the photos of the tow and harbor are superb! I'm surprised it isn't too cold to do any sightseeing in late October.
That church is beautiful. I love wandering through graveyards and reading the old tombstones. Makes you wonder about the lives they lived.
Hang around long enough and you'll see icebergs. Did you do that kissing the Codfish thing to become a "Newfie"?
So quaint. My older daughter and hubby love to vacation in Newfoundland. Now I understand why. Thanks for the lovely tour.
Enjoying your travels in Canada.
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