A Day In St. Anthony
It was without any hesitation that Wade offered us his truck to go to St. Anthony for groceries and a day to play tourist. We need to fill the diesel jerry cans and finding some wifi would be appreciated.
Our plan was to sail to St. Anthony for these very reasons but find the docking situation there unfavourable. This is preferred and very welcome! We can still see all we want to see, run our errands and not move the boat.
The first stop is St. Lunaire, north of St. Anthony. We stayed at the wharf for one night last year, had time for some groceries and diesel fill-up but did not get to visit the Dark Tickle Company Store. The stop does not disappoint. We find some Newfoundland books to add to our collection, local art, clothing and the jams, ice cream and preserves the company is best known for. They are produced onsite. We have seen their products all over Newfoundland but have been waiting for this stop to make our purchases.
In the store we find the berry museum, which cleared up a few questions we had about the names of local berries.
The cafe upstairs is filled with artifacts, photos, navigational charts and boat parts. We settle in for a bakeapple milkshake, a coffee and a shared scone. I just cannot resist these delicious local treats and the free wifi!
St. Anthony is pretty much how we remember it from our road trip here in 2017. We pass the harbour, the home we rented and the water bomber, now sitting as a memorial park commemorating the lives of two who died fighting forest fires in 1967.
Stopping at Fishing Point, we tour the little museum in The Emporium and watch the whales frolicking in the bay as we take in lunch at the Lightkeepers Cafe. Harald’s burger is large and delicious and the fish tacos very good, along with a fresh green salad.
We have a little chuckle when we find the photo of the original owner from about thirty years ago. He is a sailing friend from Lewisporte who lives in St. Anthony.
The Grenfell House Properties, Museum and gift shop are all very much worth visiting but we have done this before and appreciate the tremendous contribution Dr. Grenfell made to the people of Northern Newfoundland and Labrador. My great aunt was a nurse on one of his hospital ships. This brings the life and service of this great man even closer in my thoughts.
Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
Time is marching on and we still need groceries and fuel. Harald drops me at Tim Horton’s where I sip tea and write a blog post and he goes next door to the gas station. Groceries are few, but expensive.
We fill the back seat of Wade’s truck and head back to Goose Cove. Our “neighbours” are out and help carry the bags and fuel to the wharf where we begin the fun of storing all provisions. Timing is perfect as Wade is just returning from a day of fishing.
The Light and Cafe