Back to the Newfoundland Coast. 51:30.5N 55:28.29W ST.LUNAIRE

mollihawk's shadow
eddie nicholson
Thu 19 Jul 2012 14:54

The charts tell us that on this trip to date we have sailed through the Gulf of Maine,
up the Emerald Basin off the Southern coast of Novia Scotia,
through the Bras D'or lakes of Cape Breton Island,
across the Laurentian Channel at the Cabot Straits to the SW Newfoundland coast,
Northwards up the West coast of Newfie and through the Strait of Belle Isle,
crossing over to The Labrador coast to Red Bay.
Red Bay like so many ports in this area has a small local population based around the fishing industry, their numbers radically depleted as the Cod fishing was restricted.
The buildings are all wooden and as the weather takes its toll,many subside and even fall over!
The lack of industry and opportunity in these areas sees much of this desolation left where it happens giving a depressed feel to the place.
We spent the day catching up on much need ed sleep from our overnight passage and fishing along with pilot whale watching.
We hiked to the top of Signal Hill, where the French first looked out for the English and then the Yanks used it to watch our for the Russians! We used it to look out for an Iceberg !
In the distance there it was!! Massive
The plan was to venture closer the next day for a photo shoot but the fog came in and we headed back well away from it to Newfie.
The Ice reports were telling us that in all, there were about 20 icebergs in the vicinity. We only saw this one.

We sailed back yesterday to the NW tip of Newfie and down the Eastern side to a small harbour named St Lunaire.

Pulling in with all the local trawlers so as to let the storm warning pass through, our plans keep changing as the weather controls our travels.
To date we have had a fantastic run with the weather, only a little fog and moderate winds from behind all the way.this depression is due to be gone by tomorrow and we will see fine weather once again.
The water is noticeably colder and the wind chill has forced the thermals on under the 5 layers while at sea! While on land it is still quite mild.
On the dock last night the fishermen were unloading their catch of shrimp, and as the saying goes ' a dumb priest never got a parish' so we ended up with a fine bag of free shrimp for our dinner!
We are now planning our route as we sit tied up to a trawler on a small concrete pier, most are of a wooden log construction! Our heading now over the next few days is to our final destination Lewisporte.

To date we have sailed 1013 miles and have 150 ahead of us.
Hopefully we will set sail early tomorrow to see a few more ports before wintering Mollihawk for the winter.