History Comes in Many Shapes and Sizes
Trip Start
Jun 01, 2011
1
22
36
Trip End
Sep 15, 2011
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
When we spoke, Kay reminded me that we met in Mary’s Harbour 33 years ago. And what she remembered most about that meeting was that, with my height, I managed to knock one of the lights off of the ceiling with my head and, of course, being a young girl (about 10 at the time) she thought it was hilarious. Essentially this time around was the first time we had visited as adults so we had lots to catch up on.
We shared stories and showed her and Robert pictures of the Ontario Seaward’s and all other family members we had met along our East Coast Swing. In return, Kay showed us a few things she still had from when she was a child growing up in Mary’s Harbour and Trap Cove - some of which were in a few of the photos we had. She had an old doll that Uncle Gerry gave her when she was just 4; a rocking chair that our Great Uncle Jimmy had made; and she also had an old jug, wash pan and potty that belonged to Gramma Seaward. As always, it sure was nice reminiscing with someone who can really relate to dad’s family as us Ontario Seaward’s just don’t have the memories that everyone out this way has. We had a lovely evening, but like everywhere else we had to leave sooner rather than later.
While in the St. John’s area, Sharon and I went to visit Signal Hill National Historic Site - the site of the first trans Atlantic wireless signal sent by Marconi in 1901. The Hill has also been a strategic defense location since the French invaded St. John’s in 1696 and they say that it continues to be the best known and most popular landmark of St. John’s.
Next stop was Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America and the site of one of the oldest light houses in North America as well. Completed in 1836 the lighthouse has served the sailors in the St. John’s area for over 150 years. Cape Spear was also a significant defense location during World War 2 as the German submarines were trying to enter St. John’s Harbour. Canadian and American forces were statione here from 1941-1945 and barracks, mess halls and canteens were built to accommodate them. After the war all of the barracks were removed, but the gun emplacements still remain as a reminder of that period of our military history.
Norm and I returned to St. John's on a different day and went to Quidi Vidi Brewing Company. They made 7 local beers, but the provincial favourite is their Iceberg Beer so that was the one we bought. Brewmasters often say that water ‘makes the beer’ and given that the water for this beer is extracted from Newfoundland’s awe-inspiring icebergs - it goes without saying that this is a really, really fine beer.
The other thing we enjoyed that day was the Royal St. John’s Regatta, which is held the first Wednesday in August. Dating back to 1828, it is known to be the oldest continuing sporting event in North America. Aside from the boat races there were games, food and lots of entertainment. In some cases, it was the people watching that was most entertaining. Like the girls in their wolf cub hats or the other two young ladies in their goofy balloon hats. Lots of fun was had by all with lots to do, lots to see and lots to eat; however we ate before we got there so there were no Moose Burgers for us to gobble up! Boo hoo!
