Port aux Basque to Rocky Harbour

Photos: August 1, 2016

The ocean is what defines Newfoundland. The original inhabitants lived by the sea. Next came the seafarers - Norse, European and eventually the settlers. Two mariner's astrolabes, tools for navigation,  were found on ship wrecks near Port au Basques. This is a sculpture - a copy of one of them dating from 1628 and made in Portugal.



We set off for Rocky Harbour, stopping in Corner Brook to stock up on a few groceries.

These are cod tongues. My father served in Gander during the Second World War. He was an engineer and was helping to build the airport. He had talked about cod tongues as a great Newfoundland delicacy. As a child I thought he was joking. On my last trip to Newfoundland I often found them on the menu served with scrunchions (fried salt pork). I can’t say they are a favourite of mine, but they are not bad at all.



Rocky Harbour is one of the towns in Gros Morne Park. It is long and narrow, hugging the coast around the bay. It is perfectly located to enjoy the park, near many of the hiking trails and other sights.



And it is a great place to enjoy a sunset.

At the airport

At the airport, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Travelling on. With the expectation of early check-ins at airports, there is time to wander. This plane was parked next to the one we would be taking, but I thought the flowing lines on the tail fit in more with the sky.

We flew overnight to London and then on to Edinburgh. I was impressed by how smoothly everything went at Heathrow. Airline travel is not a particularly pleasant experience. The quality of food served has deteriorated and it was never stellar; breakfast of a large, overly sweet muffin and coffee that barely touched any coffee grounds was not very appetizing. A night sitting up while trying to sleep while a group of Spanish students chatted animatedly in full voice did not help the experience. But here we are, safely delivered to Edinburgh with many adventures ahead.

Evening Light

Evening Light, originally uploaded by susanvg.

(Taken October 18) There is something magical about evening light. Photographers call the early morning and early evening light the golden hour. There is even a site where you can go to calculate when it is in your area. I was working and glanced up to see the tree across the street from me on fire. The intensity of colour in the autumn leaves was enhanced by the golden setting sun. I grabbed a camera and went out to try to capture it. I was not really satisfied with my photographs. I couldn't quite get the angle I wanted to display the incredible colour. So this will have to suffice - a glimpse at the setting sun.

Gaspesian Sunset

Gaspesian Sunset, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Minute by minute the colours in the sky changed, at first a fiery orange then moving through mauves and pinks. Moments of magic as darkness descended.

More photos 1, 2, 3

June 21/10: Longest Day

June 21/10: Longest Day, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It is the solstice, the longest day of the year. Here in Montreal the sun set at 8:47 pm. I love the longer days, the opportunity to linger over a dinner outdoors, evening strolls in daylight. The light gives a sense of well-being. And there is a lightness to living - as I step outside in the same clothes I wear indoors. No layers of clothes to insulate me against the weather, I can feel the weather on my skin. This evening, was a pleasant 20C (68F). Summer is officially here.

Jan 10/10: Sunset

Jan 10/10: Sunset, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Colours painted on the sky
change moment to moment
as the brilliant sun
sinks
The sky is spilling
onto the ground
Cutting a swath of pink
Across the frozen field
Ephemeral art
painted by nature
More photos 1 and 2

Day 261: City of Gold

Day 261: City of Gold, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The sun cast a golden light making the city look like a fantasy place in the distance. Gold windows twinkled beckoning those who dared to come to this elusive mirage.

Evening light is wonderful, exaggerating, intensifying. It sets the autumn trees on fire. The underside of the clouds looked like the downy belly of a chickadee.

Darkness soon fell, cloaking the magical moment.

Day 254: Nature's Paintbrush

Day 254: Nature's Paintbrush, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Nature paints with a joyous brush
Streaks across the sky
I've been looking at her artistry
On the newly painted leaves
and in granite slabs
That tell the story of millions of years of upheaval
I'm not sure
we can ever match her creativity
She has such a large canvas
To play on.

Day 166: Steel Rails

Day 166: Steel Rails, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The railway stations in many small towns have closed. Here in Casselman, if you book ahead, the train will stop, no longer at the station but at a small hut. Otherwise it barrels through blasting its horn at every level crossing. The station is being transformed into a tourist centre.

The railway is what stitched Canada together, crossing from Atlantic to Pacific. In the past it was the main mode of traffic, linking remote centres to the larger centres. Cars, trucks and planes have become dominant. I still love train travel - it's fairly comfortable, much less of a hassle than plane travel and I can sit back and let someone else do the driving.

Day 104: Sunset over the city

Day 104: Sunset over the city, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I saw the sun was setting and wanted to catch that light that seems to set buildings on fire. Instead I found a soft light bathing the city, the sky and the mountains in the distance. As I hear of rivers overflowing in other parts of the country, I watch our mighty river flowing up to Quebec City and then off into the gulf. The hills in Montreal give us splendid views, but also views showing how much the city has spread out beyond the other side of the river.

Day 75: Sunset on the St. Lawrence

Day 75: Sunset on the St. Lawrence, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Montreal is an island, yet most of the time we are barely aware of it as we do not go anywhere near the shore. In winter, the views from the hills afford glimpses of the river; foliage in summer blocks it out in many places. A friend of mine has chosen to live by the water's edge and tonight I had supper there. The sunsets are splendid with the sun sinking over the water, near a spit of park land that reaches into the river. From the photograph you would think you were in the country.

The seagulls were already near the water, holding their evening meeting and my friend reported having seen a few mallards earlier. They must be well-insulated to swim in the water so recently freed from the ice. With the ever changing skies and the seasons, the view from her window is a daily surprise to marvel at.

Day 34: Reaching to the Sky

Day 34: Reaching to the Sky, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Catching the moment - I glanced out the window and saw the sun was setting so I grabbed my camera and went out. Not content with the view from street level - I went up on my roof (not as hard as it sounds except for the snow) and watched as the sky changed from moment to moment.

Beauty is fleeting and ever changing. The trick is to recognize it and stop and appreciate it.

Day 33: A golden glow

Day 33: A golden glow, originally uploaded by susanvg.

You never know when a photograph is going to work. I was just leaving work, the office I was at is in an industrial area - not exactly picturesque. The sun was setting and the flashing at the top of the next building caught the golden glow. Here is a perfect example of the unique in the ordinary. It's all about the moment and how a moment can change everything. For that moment a non-descript building became a thing of beauty.