Well, hello NFLD! The hope was to be on deck early, and meet agreeable weather conditions for catching a sunrise as we eased up Placentia Bay towards the Ferry Terminal. No such luck, however, at 5:00 AM. I struggled to even view the bow of the vessel that was awash in the thick, pea soup fog. The winds lashed the outer deck with sheets of rain, all to the soundtrack of whistling doors and the moan of regular horn blasts. It was nabbing some data, then back to the bunk 😂!
Great 2nd sleep until 7:30 NFLD time!!! After a freshen up in the shower, our first order of business, as it is most mornings, was securing coffee. Landed that in the cafeteria on Deck 7 and got online. Good chance to sort out the day and perhaps work up a “Plan B” with the weather being pretty foul.
We’ve done this longer crossing several times, both as a couple and with family, with and without berth. Although awake several times through the evening, we strongly recommend spending the extra to reserve a cabin. It’s the difference between starting your trip tired, frustrated and unprepared to a vacation that begins with a shower, some organization and a decent nights sleep! Clean, quiet, cozy… ready for Saturday!
The announcement for disembarking occurred 1hr prior to estimated arrival at 9:30 AM. As is the norm, very few seemed to follow the instructions and stairs were clogged with folks that hadn’t been called. I was also watching how the ferry unloaded closely. Although in the line-up very early to load vessel on Friday, we were among the last 1/2 dozen vehicles to get on the boat from a parking lot of hundreds. My hope🤞was last on, early off! Drumroll please 🥁… not a chance. But we were on the move before 10:00 AM making our way to St. John’s.
Trip Lexicon: Rotted; In Newfoundland, “Deeply annoyed or irritated.”
The plan this morning, in short, was to locate a hiking path on the East Coast Trail that Janie had identified (just north of our destination in St. John’s), and maybe shut my “Health App” up with its whining about less steps, lower daily averages, and something about a 4 week downturn in exercise (curiously aligning with the end of Stanfest). We punched in coordinates and wove through this very familiar landscape of scrub fir / tamarack / alder woodlands, rocky outcrops and lake / ocean watersheds and inlets. A rugged beauty…
About 25 minutes north of St John’s is a tiny community called Pouch Cove. We decided to do a section of the Stiles Cove Path, with a moderate rating and part of NFLD’s East Coast Trail. Although we prefer “loop trails”, the East Coast Trail is a series of coastal walks (over 300 kms) and we picked this small section as a first glimpse. Access through Pouch Cove was quick and set us up in the middle of this path giving us options!
We parked, followed the instructions as per website and were walking the trail in jig time! It was great to both stretch the legs as well as take in the expansive coastal views this trail affords. With lots of elevation walkers get to look down from the rugged coastal cliffs that border the Atlantic here. Conditions were perfect… overcast (we were worried about rain but didn’t get that) on a well established foot path with a few tired areas. We did a roughly 6km trek… well worth the trip and nice “breath” before a few days in St John’s!
Post hike, we drove via Hwy 21 and did a quick picnic lunch at Duck Pond in Bauline. Stumbled into this little lakeside park with swim area, seating, pier and a few rickety tables. We made it work! Janie prepped some wraps and voila… “hangries” gone! Rejuvenated, we even stopped at a Coleman’s Grocery Store to top up the larder with some healthy grub (Fruit / Granola / Yoghurt / Veggie Snacks).
Next chore was check in at the Sheraton, where Janie had set up a room for the next couple of nights! I’m a real sucker for a “working” view… and this perch over the harbour turns my crank! Hoping we may see a vessels come and go this week 👍. Room is great too 😂.
Trip Lexicon: Mint; An expression used when something (in this case check-in/room) goes perfectly!
In short order we were strolling St. John’s on Duckworth towards the Water & George St pedestrian areas in search of some music / food / refreshment. After a super walk, and a couple of “that’s not us” entries, we came to rest at Bernard Stanley’s Gastropub on Duckworth St. and weren’t disappointed. I had an amazing salad and Janie was into some cod tacos that rocked! More food than we could eat and excellent service! Before the walk home we caught a couple of traditional acts downtown… fun to listen and watch. That being said, we were in the bunk before 10:00 so things wound down for us on the early side 😂! Good night!