About Newfoundland
What could one possibly say about this extraordinary island that would convey its often cataclysmic affect on visitors?
Maybe it’s the fresh air – or the clear, bright light, or the genuineness of the people, or the astonishing landscape or the wildlife. Did you know, for instance, that there are more moose in Newfoundland than in the whole of North America? Or that the oldest fossil deposits on the continent are an invigorating hike from Portugal Cove South?
First - it’s enormous – the whole of Britain fits into the province of Newfoundland and Labrador with room to spare and you could happily spend a year exploring the 29,000 km of staggeringly beautiful coastline. It’s been a land of superlatives since the first French, Portuguese and English migratory fishermen visited in the 1500s followed by the Irish settlers in the 1700s.. It’s the most easterly point in North America. If you want to be the first person to see the sun rise on the continent all you have to do is spend the night in Cape Spear. It even has its own time zone.
St John’s – the capital city – is the oldest settlement in North America dating back to the 1620s. The streets are narrow and twisting with colour washed row houses stacked into the steep hills overlooking the sheltered harbour and waterfront. Restaurants and cafes abound jostling for space with clubs, bars, galleries and shops. There’s rip roaring music most nights (don’t worry, there’s something for every taste) and top class theatre too. And it’s just a 45 minute drive from The Yellow House.
If you like outdoor pursuits the best place to start is by opening the bright blue front door and setting off on the East Coast Hiking Trail. Pack a lunch and prepare to be amazed by some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see. In May and June, you can watch the stately progress of icebergs as they gently glide past Tors Cove. Later in the year, when the Capelin (small fish of the Smelt family) arrive, so do 10,000 Humpback Whales on their summer migration. Did I mention the 35 million seabirds that cruise in to entertain you? If you are in need of a good chuckle, sit down and watch the puffins. You may never bother to turn on the TV. Would that be a bad thing?
I could go on and on but the best thing would be for you to come and discover it all for yourselves.
