Friday, August 26, 2011
Does this beat all?
A woman from Florida being stuck in a hurricane path....in Maine! I'm headed west for safety. More talk when it clears up...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Coming south
August 21
From Brigus, I rambled on down to Argentia. That's where the eastern ferry leaves Newfoundland for Nova Scotia. It's an overnight trip and, since I didn't get a cabin, I was pretty groggy upon landing. However, clarity was enough to remember that I wanted to see Cape Breton.
So, two days were spent driving around the Cabot Trail. The northern part is really geared for vacationers. I saw my final moose grazing just off the highway. A crowd of tourists had stopped to take pictures. In hopes of seeing a whale, I took a boat excursion. We saw seals and had porpoises swim right next to the boat. It was really, really cool. No whales spotted though. I had visions of going back to St. Anthony to see them (and the Peterman ice island/giant iceberg which had arrived). The Celtic Music Heritage Centre stop yielded short lessons in fiddlin' and step dancing...which is definitely for those lighter of mass than I. All in all, Cape Breton is lovely like NS and worth spending more time on.
But I wanted to see Prince Edward Island. Little did I realize how small it is! In one day, I took the ferry over from Cape Breton, visited the Roma historical site (a 1700s French settlement), the Orwell Agriculture Living History farm and had a tour of Charlottetown. That left a second day for visiting the Confederation Building, Founders Hall and Beacon House.
There are only about 100,00 people in the province, 50% of whom live in Charlottetown. The island is mostly farmland. Potatoes are the big crop--just like Ireland. But it seemed like most people were speaking French!
Turns out that Acadian life is robust on PEI. On my way out, I took in the Acadian Museum. They have had a long and difficult history as a people here and in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. When the British and the French warred over the Maritimes, the French settlers/Acadians had to move elsewhere when the British were in governance. Only in the past century have they been incorporated into provincial life. French remains a language spoken by their many descendents.
I took a day to go to the north shore of the island and visit Cavendish. From all I had read, I was expecting something like Orlando. Much to my surprize, tho, it was much less commercialized. The area has capitalized on Anne of Green Gables, but it's done...well...tastefully. Besides visiting the house, I spent time at an attraction called Avonlea. It's a collection of buildings with different exhibits and a barn for performers. There was a fun 3 man group playing old time music and working the crowd into gales of laughter. There were step dancers, story tellers and some minidramas taken from the Anne stories. It was a fun and educational experience for folks of all ages. The twins would have loved it.
After I drove over the Confederation Bridge, I travelled along the eastern shore of New Brunswick...again, a place geared to vacationers...especially French speaking souls. J' no parle Francais is my standard conversation.
What else? I've been spending lots of time on the computer finding lyrics to the songs I want to remember. I'm making my way through Leon Uris' The Hope...which reminds me that there is virtually no Jewish life in the Maritimes. I found a havura (group) in St. John's NL and a closed up synagogue in St. John NB, but nothing else. However, Cohen's is a large chain of furniture stores around Newfoundland. I think in gave me an edge a couple of times. LOL.
The rig needs some repair work that I hope to put off until I get back to the States. Found out that Eckerd College will be offering the Oxford certification course that I need to teach English abroad, so I may come back earlier than expected...if they still have space for me. Still practicing the autoharp when it doesn't disturb other campers. At the campground I'm in tonight, there's a band playing tunes from the 50s and 60s. The sky is finally clear enough to see stars...but not the Northern Lights. It's too far south.
From Brigus, I rambled on down to Argentia. That's where the eastern ferry leaves Newfoundland for Nova Scotia. It's an overnight trip and, since I didn't get a cabin, I was pretty groggy upon landing. However, clarity was enough to remember that I wanted to see Cape Breton.
So, two days were spent driving around the Cabot Trail. The northern part is really geared for vacationers. I saw my final moose grazing just off the highway. A crowd of tourists had stopped to take pictures. In hopes of seeing a whale, I took a boat excursion. We saw seals and had porpoises swim right next to the boat. It was really, really cool. No whales spotted though. I had visions of going back to St. Anthony to see them (and the Peterman ice island/giant iceberg which had arrived). The Celtic Music Heritage Centre stop yielded short lessons in fiddlin' and step dancing...which is definitely for those lighter of mass than I. All in all, Cape Breton is lovely like NS and worth spending more time on.
But I wanted to see Prince Edward Island. Little did I realize how small it is! In one day, I took the ferry over from Cape Breton, visited the Roma historical site (a 1700s French settlement), the Orwell Agriculture Living History farm and had a tour of Charlottetown. That left a second day for visiting the Confederation Building, Founders Hall and Beacon House.
There are only about 100,00 people in the province, 50% of whom live in Charlottetown. The island is mostly farmland. Potatoes are the big crop--just like Ireland. But it seemed like most people were speaking French!
Turns out that Acadian life is robust on PEI. On my way out, I took in the Acadian Museum. They have had a long and difficult history as a people here and in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. When the British and the French warred over the Maritimes, the French settlers/Acadians had to move elsewhere when the British were in governance. Only in the past century have they been incorporated into provincial life. French remains a language spoken by their many descendents.
I took a day to go to the north shore of the island and visit Cavendish. From all I had read, I was expecting something like Orlando. Much to my surprize, tho, it was much less commercialized. The area has capitalized on Anne of Green Gables, but it's done...well...tastefully. Besides visiting the house, I spent time at an attraction called Avonlea. It's a collection of buildings with different exhibits and a barn for performers. There was a fun 3 man group playing old time music and working the crowd into gales of laughter. There were step dancers, story tellers and some minidramas taken from the Anne stories. It was a fun and educational experience for folks of all ages. The twins would have loved it.
After I drove over the Confederation Bridge, I travelled along the eastern shore of New Brunswick...again, a place geared to vacationers...especially French speaking souls. J' no parle Francais is my standard conversation.
What else? I've been spending lots of time on the computer finding lyrics to the songs I want to remember. I'm making my way through Leon Uris' The Hope...which reminds me that there is virtually no Jewish life in the Maritimes. I found a havura (group) in St. John's NL and a closed up synagogue in St. John NB, but nothing else. However, Cohen's is a large chain of furniture stores around Newfoundland. I think in gave me an edge a couple of times. LOL.
The rig needs some repair work that I hope to put off until I get back to the States. Found out that Eckerd College will be offering the Oxford certification course that I need to teach English abroad, so I may come back earlier than expected...if they still have space for me. Still practicing the autoharp when it doesn't disturb other campers. At the campground I'm in tonight, there's a band playing tunes from the 50s and 60s. The sky is finally clear enough to see stars...but not the Northern Lights. It's too far south.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Newfoundland/Labrador Folk Festival 2011
In spite of the cold and rain, several hundred brave souls sat in Bannerman Park last Friday night, listening to some great Canadian music. Rik Barron does songs for children and adults with that testosterone loaded huskiness of many Newfie men. A French speaking group from Quebec had everyone buzzed with high pitched, fast, klezmer-sounding songs.
Saturday afternoon was cancelled and I missed Saturday night's fun.
But Sunday was a day that will live in good memory forever. First, they moved everything into the local St, John's hockey rink/stadium. Secondly, the music went even further than Friday! To give you more of an idea about it I've collected some of my favorites on my YouTube channel, twinsbubbe2. Also there are several CDs enroute to Florida with more good stuff. If you can't get to my channel, search for No more Fish no Fishermen, Shelley Posen (Finer Kind), Sonnys Dream by Ron Hynes, Woman of Labrador and Ryan's Fancy. These are some of my top picks. Enjoy!
I'm hoping that the giant iceberg will be far south enough for me to see it this weekend. It's off of L'Anse aux Meadows today.
Although I'm beginning the trek home, still want to
a. see whales
b. see the Northern Lights
c. have a Jiggs Dinner
d. see one last moose
What could be better?!!!!!
Tonight is at Brigus, a sweet historic tourist town.
Saturday afternoon was cancelled and I missed Saturday night's fun.
But Sunday was a day that will live in good memory forever. First, they moved everything into the local St, John's hockey rink/stadium. Secondly, the music went even further than Friday! To give you more of an idea about it I've collected some of my favorites on my YouTube channel, twinsbubbe2. Also there are several CDs enroute to Florida with more good stuff. If you can't get to my channel, search for No more Fish no Fishermen, Shelley Posen (Finer Kind), Sonnys Dream by Ron Hynes, Woman of Labrador and Ryan's Fancy. These are some of my top picks. Enjoy!
I'm hoping that the giant iceberg will be far south enough for me to see it this weekend. It's off of L'Anse aux Meadows today.
Although I'm beginning the trek home, still want to
a. see whales
b. see the Northern Lights
c. have a Jiggs Dinner
d. see one last moose
What could be better?!!!!!
Tonight is at Brigus, a sweet historic tourist town.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
St. Johns
August 2
Well, here I am in the Newfoundland capital city. About 100,000 folks live here. The downtown area is made up of restored buildings turned into restaurants and gift shops. It's on the waterfront, which is quite small. St. Johns is surrounded by mountains with old gunneries on the tops. There is only a narrow passage between the hills to get in to the harbor, so it precludes cruise ships and other humongous vessels. A small river runs through the city and, opposite the downtown area, is Pippy Park.
This has been designated one of the nation's best urban parks. It has a large campground (where I'm staying), a botanical garden, a pony farm with rides, mini-golf,lots of trails and the Fluvarium. With all this and seeing the various historic sites, there has been something new every day.
And guess who else was at the park. The Holiday Rambler folks! Good fun.
I had my autoharp tuned up at the famous O'Brien's Music Store. Between sights, it's been fun to play. I also purchased a kid's guitar to try to get back in to that. My new repetoire of songs lends itself to those instruments nicely. Tonight is a concert by Shanneyganock, a well known group that plays traditional music. Tomorrow is the annual (since 1818) Regatta on Quiddi Vidi Lake in downtown St. Johns. This coming weekend is the Newfoundland/Labrador Folk Festival---a nice way to end my stay.
Have been reading the Steig Larssen mysteries voraciously. They are hypnotizing. Also found a biography of Brasseur and Eisler, a wonderful pairs skating team from the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, NL does not seem to have an arena to cultivate hockey teams or figure skaters. I'm getting tired of panfried cod and lobster season is over. The chowders continue to be delicious and I have yet to sample peas pudding.
All in all, this is a very relaxing time. But next week,the trip south begins. First thing on the agenda will be Prince Edward Island. I miss home and folks, but not all that heat. Hope to see the Northern Lights and stars before I go.
Well, here I am in the Newfoundland capital city. About 100,000 folks live here. The downtown area is made up of restored buildings turned into restaurants and gift shops. It's on the waterfront, which is quite small. St. Johns is surrounded by mountains with old gunneries on the tops. There is only a narrow passage between the hills to get in to the harbor, so it precludes cruise ships and other humongous vessels. A small river runs through the city and, opposite the downtown area, is Pippy Park.
This has been designated one of the nation's best urban parks. It has a large campground (where I'm staying), a botanical garden, a pony farm with rides, mini-golf,lots of trails and the Fluvarium. With all this and seeing the various historic sites, there has been something new every day.
And guess who else was at the park. The Holiday Rambler folks! Good fun.
I had my autoharp tuned up at the famous O'Brien's Music Store. Between sights, it's been fun to play. I also purchased a kid's guitar to try to get back in to that. My new repetoire of songs lends itself to those instruments nicely. Tonight is a concert by Shanneyganock, a well known group that plays traditional music. Tomorrow is the annual (since 1818) Regatta on Quiddi Vidi Lake in downtown St. Johns. This coming weekend is the Newfoundland/Labrador Folk Festival---a nice way to end my stay.
Have been reading the Steig Larssen mysteries voraciously. They are hypnotizing. Also found a biography of Brasseur and Eisler, a wonderful pairs skating team from the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, NL does not seem to have an arena to cultivate hockey teams or figure skaters. I'm getting tired of panfried cod and lobster season is over. The chowders continue to be delicious and I have yet to sample peas pudding.
All in all, this is a very relaxing time. But next week,the trip south begins. First thing on the agenda will be Prince Edward Island. I miss home and folks, but not all that heat. Hope to see the Northern Lights and stars before I go.
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