After my wonderful afternoon at Tickle Head and the Random Passage site, I headed 16 km back north to the iconic town of Trinity. You come around a hill, and there it is below you, a colourful array of beautiful historic buildings lovingly restored and hosting happy visitors. I took many photos of the town and buildings in the early evening light, as well as views of the lighthouse across the bay. Here are a few of those photos.
After a good night’s sleep in my beautiful room at Maidment House (the mustard-yellow house above), I headed up the coast to Elliston to hike the Klondike trail (no, not that one, this one was only 8 km return!) and to see the puffins. On the drive there, I saw a beautiful iceberg in the bay across from the pretty town of Melrose. I drove into town and then out towards the farthest point at the north end of the bay, but as I drove I saw a bank of fog moving in. It was a race! I grabbed my camera, scrambled over the rocks, quickly changed lenses and lifted my camera just as the fog obliterated the iceberg completely (it’s hiding just to the left of the islands off shore – perfectly camouflaged). And it stayed stubbornly hidden in that fog all day! I consoled myself by taking a few shots in Melrose.
I carried on to Elliston where I visited the puffin site. I had heard from a friend, and confirmed from research online, that the puffins who nest on the rock just offshore sometimes come onto the headland where hopeful visitors are watching from only meters away. Alas, I was not lucky enough to have this happen but I contented myself with watching and photographing these iconic Newfoundland birds from some distance away. They are very difficult to photograph in flight as they are really fast!
Then, some photos of the very scenic Elliston, famous also as the “root cellar capital of the world”, with over 150 of these cellars dotted around this area. Stunning coastline, sturdy houses, and one charming pony.
After viewing the puffins, I headed to the northern end of Elliston to do the Klondike trail. The first kilometer and a half went through forest and a beautiful bog where I took pictutes of the rather amazing-looking pitcher plant.
Then, the trail opened up and followed the clifftop around Spillars Cove to a rise from which I could see way far away across to the Cape Bonavista lighthouse. I wanted to keep on walking all the way there! As well, far to the west, across the peninsula, I could see 1, 2, 3, 4, icebergs far off in the distance. Tiny, but there! It was a glorious hike, so quiet. I met only a few other hikers for a brief hello, but mostly it was just me and the wind and the birds, flowers, and view. I was very happy!
Next, on to Bonavista!
