From 3pm late into the night …Wow today we became honorary Newfoundlanders and we were screeched in. We have photos and videos to show you. There was a big party and the ceremony started. We had to eat hard bread and something like spam meat and then kiss an ugly cod fish and drink the screech rum in one go after saying     

 ” indeed I is me old cock and long may ye big jib draw!”   

               It was such good fun and we were kind of knighted with a boat oar and given a certificate and small momento s.  

 Then the party went on late into the evening. We chatted to lots of lovely people and drank alcohol finishing with a coffee that had very little coffee in it mostly whisky I think! An unforgettable memory. It was amazing!

Earlier on we had a ferry trip to the nearest island, Bell Island, It is only 3 miles over the sea and a long island     We knew there was an iceberg behind it and after eating fish and chips at the famous Dicks ” I love me Dicks” was their slogan (sorry just had to put this in my blog). …we did a circular tour of the island to view the iceberg.     There was a class of teenagers on the return ferry and they were so well behaved and respectful. They all quietly sat while their teacher called out their names and quietly walked over to the outside decks. So unlike British teenagers! 

     Well that was our day and definitely one to always remember!

MONDAY AND TUEDAY IN BRIGHTON

We are on the way to Brighton Newfoundland now with Ken to see where he grew up and it’s pouring with rain This is the Gumbo area.

   After about 3 hours driving it stopped raining and then after 7 hours total driving time we reached Brighton. The sun was shining and it was warm. 

 We went into the holiday cabin they own and met Kens step mother Lena who is 88. She stays here all the Summer and Winters over in St John’s. She is very alert and agile for her age and had made us a lovely salad for “supper” followed by lemon meringue pie. She took us for a tour of the small island and showed us where she grew up and the land Kens family owns.  

   About 5 or 6 houses are Cave family owned. The water surrounds every house. We saw where Vinces aunty lived before she died very young when Ken was only 18 months old. She was very ill and the weather was so bad that the doctors couldn’t get to the island in time to save her. You could only reach Brighton by boat in those days. Now there is a causeway connecting Brighton to Triton and a causeway connecting Triton to the mainland. Needless to say that the cabin is is picturesque and beautiful for a holiday location. There is a calm relaxed feel to the island and a sense that it must have always been like this nothing has changed over the years.        We are staying here for 2 nights before heading on to Gros Morne National Park. Hope the photos show how amazing this small community is. 

   Lena has lots of stories to tell us and is very kind to us. We also met Violet her sister who is lovely too. I am laying in bed early morning, listening to the birds singing, (One small bird has a whistles tune, very distinctive,) and the sound of the ocean. We heard fireworks last night as it was a national holiday for the orange men. There is a strong Irish presence in Newfoundland.

Today we had another guided tour of Brighton Triton and Roberts Arm. Lena chatted away to us and directed Vince where to drive. There wasn’t a breath of wind and there were beautiful reflections in the ponds. We visited the local museum and the old Methodist church that the museum now looks after. People can still use the church for weddings funerals etc. if they ask. The sun was warm in the blue cloudy sky.

   

 We came back at lunch time and then visited the graveyard where Kens parents are buried. It was a surreal experience. The graves were mostly from only about 5 different families and Lena proceeded to tell us about each persons life. She seemed to have known them all! We must have been there for an hour or more while she talked about each one. 

  Vince and I went out by ourselves to explore. We walked high up along the coastal tracks through the forest. The mosquitoes were biting! There were lovely views over this idyllic island. 

   

 We got in the car and went over to Triton and to where the ferry takes cars onto 2 more islands. 

  Many photos later we called at a souvenir shop which advertised “fresh fudge” vince asked to buy some fudge and the girls said” oh we had some last summer” what a laugh!

After another hearty meal cooked with ease by a sprightly 88 year old for 6 of us, (Kens youngest daughter Deborah and husband Mike had arrived,) we did a house call which was like a pub crawl! We met Violet, Lenas youngest sister,Diane another niece, and another relative across the road with an American husband from Virginia. Alcoholic drinks at each house!

Back at Lenas we ate her carrot cake yummy and chatted until late into the evening. We move onto Gros Morne tomorrow by ourselves for a few days. This island of Brighton is magical and holds a special place in our hearts.