The most lonely places are the most lovely. In Praise of Walking Thomas A. Clark
If you find yourself in Comfort Cove………..and that would take a big stretch of the imagination ‘to find’ yourself there. You would have to make a deliberate turn of the Road to the Isles (route 340) and drive 19 km. On arrival you would find no theatre, drugstore, supermarket, arts centre, liquor Store, restaurant and not even a gas station! You would find a general store that houses the post office, food staples, and some handyman supplies. The store is also a great place to hear all the news from around the community and the bulletin board is often a source for learning about area events and, periodically, lists some interesting items for sale! A Bird Picker was a new one for me!
You would also find a community that, compared to many Newfoundland communities, has a sound economic base. Notre Dame Seafoods operates a large fish plant here and there are two, if not three, local farms which also provide employment, healthy vegetables and local lamb. So the lack of current services is somewhat a puzzle, but then a community needs a population to support such services and the numbers are unfortunately not here.
Most importantly you would find another picturesque Newfoundland community which provides great opportunities for hiking/walking. I have never understood people who simply drive through a community/town and see nothing. I believe you need to park your car and set out on foot to get a feel for your surroundings.
But I digress…..suppose you were in some kind of mental fog and did indeed take the exit to Comfort Cove-Newstead. Driving along the road, the sign Turtle Creek catches your attention and gives you a mental jolt. Turtle Creek? Really? …… what an intriguing name and so you keep on driving…..and ‘find’ yourself in Comfort Cove Newstead. Needing some fresh air and probably not ready to climb Doctor’s Hill, the Bight Road would offer you some stimulating vistas.
The Bight in a more peaceful mood.
Photos by L. Fudge
There is a lovey variety of beach grass which grows here, suitable for décor or flower arranging and I once found a beautiful Cranesbill flower growing nearby. I believe it is a part of the Geranium family.
Continuing on, you will see Doctor’s Hill Farm on your left and probably a field of sheep gazing soulfully in your direction as you walk along the road.
Photo by carolfromthecove
You may encounter the owner of the farm. Don’t be alarmed, he is a friendly sort and if you enjoy exchanging witticisms (like I do), he is a worthy opponent. You may also see his father driving a truck or tractor and again, no need to be alarmed. He is in his eighties and can tell you much of the history of Comfort Cove Newstead. Gerald Head is in fact one of the characters (and I do mean a character) in the book Camp 13 by local author Byron White.
Photos by carolfromthecove
Not sure where these belong. Have they run away from their farm?
You may even see a field of cabbage.
A rock outcrop, a hedge, a fallen tree, anything that turns us out of our way, is an excellent thing on a walk. In Praise of Walking by Thomas A. Clarke
As you continue on to Doctor’s Hill you will encounter this copse of trees. Having been immersed in the Anne of Green Gables books throughout my childhood, this always brings me back to Green Gables and Avonlea. I always think of this part of the road as Jeannette of Bight Road. If you check the Facebook Page, Art by Jeannette French you will find her beautiful painting of this section of your walk.
The grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, ocean views, sloping fields, and birds will all entertain your senses and soon you see Doctor’s Hill in the distance.
I hope ewe didn’t just see a dusty road and old dirty sheep.
We already have what we need–the opportunity to weave the tapestry of happiness every day with the needle and thread of our own mind. Sakyong Mipham
Beautiful! Love it.
I wonder why the Bight is called “Wild Bight” ? LQI!
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great well done, can’t wait for the next hike.
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Can’t imagine😉
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You keep making me want to come to Comfort Cove but I’ll happily wait till The Bight is in a more peaceful mood. I love the snap with the sheep on the side of the road by trees.
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You are most welcome to come and stay with me and………bring your camera😊
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Well done Carol. Looking forward to more!
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Thanks Gloria.
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Beautiful. I must say, though, that I always “find myself” in Comfort Cove… A few hours spent sitting on the beach at Wild Bight listening to the waves hit the rocks and I walk away grounded and ready for a few more years of busy life.
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Good to hear! Nature centres and helps ground me too. I think we are very fortunate to realize this. Thanks for your comment.
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Dad used to take Mark and Keith out to the bight road to let them practice their driving skills. They were probably 4 or 5 years old!
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Hikers there is no cause for concern, these boys are now grown men😀
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Great read, I am looking forward to a visit soon to reset 😉
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Great idea!
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Beautiful … I have wonderful memories of ‘going over to the Bight’. Many Sunday’s (after Sunday School ) everyone would walk over to the bight and socialize. I also spent many wonderful days on my father’s farm, just past the Bight.
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Thank you Margaret.
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The most beautiful place to walk, pick raspberries,etc. I have such wonderful memories of bonfires on the beach! I have “robin egg” rocks from there in a mason jar on my kitchen windowsill and am reminded of the amazing place where I grew up. Thank you for this post!
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Thank you Judi. Seems as if everyone loves The Bight!
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Love the article.
Many fond childhood memories has been had, in and around the wild bight.
” Holy Lord I wish I had the power, to change the course of time,and live again in comfort cove my own childhood times”
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Thank you so much.
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Beautiful. Spent many summer days climbing those hills and coves.
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
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The wild bight, how beautiful. I learned how to drive there and that’s where I taught both my sons to drive. I have a very old video of our family having a picnic there one Sunday after church. Day, night, calm or stormy, I always find myself there when I go home.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment. It seems as if this blog post is stirring up a lot of good memories.
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Great job Carol……great painting Jeanette!
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Thank you. So glad you enjoyed it.
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Really enjoyed that on the “Bight”! A little piece of heaven on earth out there.
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Thanks so much. It seems others feel the same.
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I would like to share a family memory… my Parents were caught holding hands when they were 18 on a Sunday afternoon when taking a stroll on the “bight”… that was in 1935… they had many “scoffs” cooked there and many bonfires.. then thy immigrated to Canada… we holidayed in Newstead every summer and in 1974 they returned home where they stayed until their passing…
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What lovely memories! Thank you for sharing.
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Every now and then I experience a longing for the place I belong…that little niche in the Cove! The Bight has always been such a special place for me. I don’t think I ever visited my Mom, over the years, that we didn’t take a drive to the Bight to enjoy the scenery and reminisce. Thank you for writing your blog!! I’ve enjoyed every entry. Look forward to more.
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Thank you for your thoughts and memories.
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The bight, ,,,,where (as children ) we sweated picking berries with our parents .The Bight…..Where ,when during fall harvest , some teens sneaked under a wire fence to help themselves to fully grown turnips,,,,,,😋The bight…..where some learned to drive a standard car and loose it over the cliff. (Almost) 😂.The bight ,,,,, which was the most romantic place to take your date who most often became your soulmate . 😍Awwwww, ,,,Da Bight, the most memorable sight! 👍🏻
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Thanks for the memories.
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Great bit of writing there, Carol! Always nice to see more writing about Comfort Cove. The Whites have been keeping their pens in the desk for too long I think. More writing, please.
I don’t think I even knew it had the appellation “Wild” until I was in my 20s, when I was a youngster roaming Comfort Cove in the summers it was just “the bight”. It’s a lovely spot and I always take the time to visit when I get out to Comfort Cove. I recently re-acquainted myself with Indian Cove Neck, another signature “lonely” spot in the area.
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You are too kind sir. Thanks so much for your comments!
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I believe every teenager in comfort cove_Newstead has wonderful memories of the “Bite’, my friends & I spent many afternoons in the summer walking out there, had our bonfires out there as well. Great to remember!!!!
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Thanks for taking time to comment.
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Forgive my incorrect spelling, I meant “The Bight”. LOL
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It was interesting reading about the little town that my husband Brian grew up in. Loved the pictures they were beautiful. I’ve always enjoyed our visits to Comfort Cove, seeing family, going to the mussel beds and just hanging out with good friends. Many beautiful people there who are the true meaning of newfies…loving and welcoming.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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I grew up in Newstead. I played hockey with Byron White.Great goalie. We would take strolls with our girlfriends out in the bight. We would all have our own little secret spot where we could hide from the rest of the world Like the Terry Sumsion song “”At Our Loving Place “”We would sit on the large boulders and watch the sea breakers crash on the beach ,or we would bounce the little rocks of the big boulders to see how far they would bounce .Believe it or not but rocks do bounce. I moved to Ontario in 66 but every time I go home I take trip out in the bight to relive old memories and go and get back to my childhood.It”s changed a lot in 50 years but it is still heaven on earth.I was just wondering who Carol from the cove is
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Byron’s much younger sister:) Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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Just started following your blogs, Carol! You do indeed have a way with words, and your camera man has a good eye! Great teamwork! Ah, the Bight, warms my heart, it does!
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Thanks Joan. The cameraman will be pleased with your comment too😊
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