Monday August 22, 2016 from Eastport to St. John’s, NL

Hodges Cove heading towards Southport

   Todays drive was basically going to be point to point to get to our campground, along with picking up a rental car at the airport for a few days. Becky discovered, however, as she does so well that there is a little town called Southport up a finger of land about 30 KM from the TCH. We decided to see what was there, and it was a delightful side trip! We drove on the narrow road, studded with lots of potholes (and signs telling us about them!) passing by a number of scenic bays. We actually had the Southwest arm of the Sound to the West, and Trinity Bay to the East. 

Gooseberry Cove

We were almost to the end of the road, when we stopped in the quaint little fishing village of Gooseberry Cove, and  met a couple of real local characters.

Becky learns all about the area from one of the locals  

 As one said, you're in Gooseberry Cove but don't ask us what they are as we don't know! We learned about the local fishing habits, the time restricted limitations on fishing for different varieties of seafood imposed by the government, and how terrible the winter storms could be coming off the Atlantic. Four-wheelers are the preferred method of getting around. I asked one guy if there were any Newfoundland dogs around, and he said "there's one in Southport-belongs to my brother."

Our Gooseberry Cove friend 

 So after lunching in the RV, we headed on and passed the local version of the "Church on the Hill", St. Alban the Martyr's Anglican Church in Heart's Ease. Next stop was the beautiful little fishing port of Southport. As one of our new friends told us, don't drive too far into Southport without turning around or you'll make a big splash! As Jim was taking pictures of the Harbor, he spotted the Newfoundland coming up the road, who walked right up and wanted to be patted!!

Jim meets the local Newfie

We did see one local guy there who was obviously wondering where we were from, and seemed surprised we were from another Southport. Asked him the population-50 in the summer, 25 in the winter!    

St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church

Southport, Newfoundland

End of Southport Harbor