We continued on to Birchy Bay where we tried to find a business in town, but there really wasn't anything to speak of other than a restaurant and a mechanic. We have been following someone's blog about their travels around Newfoundland (23 and Free) and who had stayed at Birchy Bay, near Twillingate, for the night. We were in a community park and were able to take Pete for a walk and a swim in the creek. I went for a swim in the morning, but Pete just looked at me as if to say Uh, no. It was a cold but refreshing swim that was a poor substitute for a hot shower but did wake me up for the day ahead.
When we were in Calgary (seems so long ago), Mandy had picked up some wool and a pattern book for Viking sweaters. She has been knitting me a sweater ever since to keep her occupied along the journey. She has been a good sport in letting me drive so she has had the time to put in on the knitting project. She finished it yesterday and I have to say that it is a great fit and she did an amazing job on it considering some of the roller-coaster roads that we have been driving. The winds that are around the coast where we have been exploring have been pretty cool temperature wise so the sweater will be great in the evenings.
We headed up to Twillingate where we checked out the local Rockcut trails that the village maintains. We walked the trails by the lighthouse then explored the trails down by the rock arch - Pete was loving it since these were all no leash areas. We came into town looking for seafood chowder and struck out, but met some great people (Bill and Gail) from Burnaby that we had supper and a beer with. It was nice to connect with people and have good conversation with. I suspect if Bill and I were to hang out for any length of time that one, the other, or both of us would be in trouble with someone!
After the fish and chips (very good, by the way), we headed back towards the lighthouse where we had seen a good boondocking location. It is a former campground that has shutdown as a business but is still well used by self-contained campers. We met another couple from the Sunshine Coast who is considering a van similar to ours so we were talking details of the build and what works and what doesn't.
I didn't think that we would get a sunset, but at the last chance for sunset a horizonal line of a sunset showed up below the clouds. Pete was enjoying the off-leash aspect of things in the area and everyone that we met was fine with him racing about. Around sunset he was napping by the van where he could keep an eye on Mandy and I when a rabbit hopped by, about a meter or so from Pete. He was asleep so he didn't notice until I drew Mandy's attention to the rabbit. Pete woke up and was almost face to face with the rabbit. When he realized what was in front of him he pops up to chase the bunny that was already on the run. Mayhem for a moment, then he comes back thinking he had just defended the camp!
In the morning we had our coffee and toast then decided to head to Terra Nova National Park for a day to do showers and laundry. We took the coastal drive down and found some awesome waves and an amazing beach for Pete to run on. He runs like an idiot into the waves and always seems perplexed by the salty water. The leaves are starting to take on their fall colours; occasionally you see a brilliant red tree among light yellows and greens. We are getting quite optimistic about the fall colours when we get back to Nova Scotia.
Love the sweater Brian, good job Mandy! Lovely pictures, Newfoundland has its own special type of beauty.