Day 9

As you all know, the last week has been amazing and so we decided today that perhaps you can push your luck with fun and we opted for a day close to home to do laundry, refresh nail polish, … you know, the dreary tasks that simply must be done! All was well with that plan until early afternoon when all tasks were done. Heck we even enjoyed an afternoon nap. The weather has shifted here dramatically and we are starting the beginning of the heat wave that so many of you have suffered through in Ontario. Now a heat wave in Newfoundland is just a little different since the every present ocean breeze keeps temperatures tolerable. Nonetheless, it was a lovely sunny day and quite warm so we decided just to head downtown for supper – that’s all, just supper. No adventure, nothing to see here folks!

When Irish immigrants first landed on Newfoundland’s shores in 1750, the yellowbellies hailed from County Wexford and are remembered for tying yellow strips of cloth around their middles in a hurling match against the Cornish champions. The story goes that King George himself was heard to proclaim, “Well done yellowbellies” when they were victorious - thus the name of the brew pub that slaked our thirst and concocted a fine bowl of seafood chowder this evening. One of the few buildings to have survived the great St. John’s fire, it was a great place to have dinner.

After one (or maybe two) delicious ales and another hearty meal, we were simply walking back to the car when the late afternoon sun, glinting off the harbor caught our eye and we just took a little detour to walk “the long way” back to the car. Now almost six hours after we left to find some supper we are back. Legs are just a tad achy but our souls are once again filled with memories of hidden surprises, marveling that even when we’re not trying, we can’t help but have a magnificent time here! Blessings wait around each and every corner.

The St. John’s Port Authority is unlike any other we have visited in recent years. The sign on the open, unmanned gate says No Entry but that is apparently more of a suggestion really, and it’s fine if you don’t want to. Go right on in, everyone else does! Presumably security is a little tighter when cruise ships are in port but I have a sneaky feeling that perhaps not. Of course the name of the cruise ship pier is Marginal Wharf … only in Newfoundland you say?

On our way up from the water front we stopped to marvel at the engineering feat that is scaffolding in St. John’s.

Every footing is set at a different angle, and one might well be concerned that it could slide down the hill at any moment. David did concede though any building that had main floor doors and windows that were significantly different heights from one side to the other probably required custom scaffolding. No kidding, the left side of the door was 6-8 inches shorter than the right side of the same door!

While we stood and David happily snapped away I noticed a sign that said Heritage Walking Tour. Well what could we do? We had to follow the signs, especially since it pointed toward yet another row of charming jellybean houses. I can’t imagine ever getting tired of them.

Following along the trail we discover that we are to head down this road between these two houses. Yes this is a real road, with a real road sign (on the pole), with real traffic – if you look carefully you can see a car heading down as David took the picture. Unbelievable!

The trail also led through the ground of Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor who happens to be none other than John Crosbie. Now there is no G20 security here folks. We simply strolled around with no more that a wave from the keeper at the guardhouse. Unfortunately we are leaving on the day of the annual garden party, since all are invited! It could have been a blast but they will have to soldier on without us. I do plan to go back though since the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary once again has a mounted unit and the horse are kept in the Government House stables. One of my cousins is one of the four officers on mounted patrol and I am told I must let him take me to meet the horse. If I must, I must.

The Colonial Building was another stop. Housing the legislature, before Confederation Building was constructed, it was the site of Responsible Government … how’s that for an oxymoron? It now houses the Provincial Archives.

Can anyone explain why 99 and 9 are next door to one another?

There are lots of creative ways to fight city hall. Apparently this fellow had been repeatedly reminded that his house was in disrepair and needed a coat of paint. Finally, tiring of being harassed by the city he painted… This is one house but no two sides trim or anything else is the same colour!

Have you ever been out in wind so strong that it quite literally blows the shirt off your back? Moments after David took this picture I was scrambling to cover myself and this is a pullover, t-shirt style top!! Check the flag at the top of Cabot Tower … stiff as a board.

The one last thing we didn’t get a picture of … as we were out walking, the trail passed the B&B that Cliff and Liz have booked in the city. A car parked as we passed, and Sean McGinley (Malachy Doyle on the Republic of Doyle) got out with his groceries and made his way into the house at the other end of their jellybean row! He let himself into the house with a key so presumably that’s where he lives! Two star sightings in two days – not bad for Newfoundland!