The Viking Trail, North West Newfoundland

The Viking Trail,  North West Newfoundland.

From St. Barbe we travelled to St. Anthony on the Viking Trail, going through many small fishing communities perched very close to the water's edge.  Then the road left the coast , and crossed over to the other side of the Northern Peninsula to St. Anthony, through terrain that could be called "moose meadows" - low growing vegetation in bog-like areas changing to hills, small lakes ("ponds") and forests, but no moose to be seen. St. Anthony is cliffy and has a deep safe harbour with fishing vessels, and a large vessel docked that had a landing pad for a helicopter. We got settled in an RV park close to St. Anthony with good internet for a change, and laundry facilities which were much needed.

St. Anthony's Harbour

Ship with helicopter pad

Shrimp fishing boat

It was still early in the afternoon on a nice sunny day, so we drove  to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, where the Vikings landed over a thousand years ago.  Based on archeological findings a Viking village has been recreated complete with costumed Vikings to explain their lifestyle (see photos).

L'Anse aux Meadows from the Visitors Centre

Site of the Forge

Reconstructed Viking Village

What's inside ?

Vikings at work

Viking Loom

The Vikings are coming!!!!

There were some interesting sights on the way to L'Anse aux Meadows, including the harbour at St-.Lunaire-Griquet, and an interesting sign saying "Dark Tickle Bridge".  Apparently "Tickle" is the term used for a narrow channel.  One difference between the island (Newfoundland) and Labrador is that the houses are often painted bright colours, rather than being mostly white.

St. Lunaire - Griquet

Dark Tickle Bridge

Fishing Point Lighthouse is at the entrance to the harbour at St. Anthony, and provided a photo op for the rugged coastline in this area.  The fishing boats in the harbor fish for shrimp, king crab and other species of fish.  A cruise ship had come into harbour in the morning, the National Geographic Explorer, which had been cruising in the Arctic. I heard one passenger up at Fishing Point Lighthouse mentioning Resolute Bay as one of their stopping points.  Back in the Harbour at the Ice House, we had an interesting chat with a retired gentleman, who was raised in St. Anthony, came to work in Ontario, and retired back to St. Anthony.  St. Anthony is also home to the Grenfell Interpretation Centre and Grenfell House Museum.  Sir William Grenfell, a medical doctor, was sent to Newfoundland in 1892 and we have seen his name in several places across Labrador and now in the Northern Peninsula in Newfoundland, relating to hospitals and medical stations he established throughout the area.

National Geographic Explorer Cruise Ship

Cliffs at Fishing Point

A couple of points of interest on the side of the road are woodpiles - the land is crown-owned, and anyone can get a permit to cut wood in a defined area for personal use.  The other common site is veggie patches surrounded by a fence, usually potatoes, but sometimes carrots, cabbage and other staple veg. Apparently theft and pilfering are not an issue.

Woodpiles at the side of the road

Veggie Patch at the side of the road