A Trek Through Gaultois

FeaturedA Trek Through Gaultois

Gaultois is a tiny community on Long Island on Newfoundland’s South Coast. It is a short ferry ride from Hermitage across 6 km of ocean and takes approximately 20 mins. Your vehicle will be left in Hermitage, as there are no roads in Gaultois.

 

map

Map image courtesy of Newfoundland Labrador Transportation and Works

 

Leaving Hermitage with beautiful views along the way.

 

Fjords, beautiful vistas and no fog, a gift from September.

 

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Hmmmmmmm………………….

 

Arriving in Gaultois.

 

 Anyone need a cab?

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The terrible news came in 1990.

Gaultois was once a thriving community.  Fishery Products International decided to close the fish plant in 1990 because it had too many plants on the south coast. It is a testament to the tenacity and hard work of the people of Gaultois that approximately 100 people still live there. Most want to resettle but still haven’t reached a majority vote.

 

The ferry leaves and we begin our trek up to Gaultois.

Gaultois is home to three, possibly four (it depends on who you talk to :))  distinct areas, The Valley, The Room, The Point and The Bottom.

Trekking along.

We had a great lunch at The Gaultois Inn  and then continued our walk.

 

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Unfortunately we didn’t have time to do this trail to the abandoned community of Piccaire.

 

 

 

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School Transportation.

I was surprised to learn that there are still 17 students, with two teachers in Gaultois.  As we were leaving , some of the older students zoomed up on their dirt bikes or quads and took the 3:30 pm ferry to Hermitage. They planned to return on the 7 pm ferry.  Many residents of Gaultios have cars and trucks that they leave in Hermitage.

 

 

I like seeing clothes drying on clotheslines, but these disturbed me. I imagined the hard work involved pushing the clothesline up hill  and then the dust from the moving  quads blowing on the other two.

 

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Bike in Gaultois

This photo tells visually how I felt when I left Gaultois. Overcome with sadness.

I hesitated in writing this in the event that some of the current residents of the community read this post; but in doing a little research, I found that although the town is somewhat divided on resettlement, most are eager to leave and start anew. There are some plans in the works for rejuvenation, and if that is what the residents want, I wish them well.

Gaultois, plan a visit, stay at the inn, do a walkabout or two, talk to the locals and form your own thoughts and opinions.

 

“Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.”  ? author

 

Photos L. Fudge

Clouds & Roses

Clouds & Roses

 

Let distractions melt away like clouds disappearing in the sky.   Milarepa

We met a couple from Nova Scotia and they have been coming here to Norris Point  every summer for the past seven years….smart people!

 

Norris Point & area, Gros Morne National Park

 

 

Tranquility

Norris Point

We were overlooking Norris Point and were totally captivated by this scene, we are above the clouds.:)

 

Norris Point and Rocky Harbour are scenic, interesting and  inspiring. To see and feel most of Newfoundland, I believe you must walk, stop, listen and absorb.

Norris Point is also home to the Bonne Bay Marine Station and The Cat Stop Pub and Grub (check out their Facebook pages), these are two of my favourite places, there are others to see and explore. For more on this area please read my blog of April 6, 2016.

….and then it was on to Green Point, an ecological wonder (see previous blog).

Driftwood

Sticks & Stones

 

Silverweed

Sea Lungwort

Sea Lungwort

These plants were growing on the beach at Green Point, the underside of the Silverweed’s leaves are white and the Lungwort was stunning in  its arrangement amongst the rocks.

 

I believe these are Meadowrue.

Coastal Trail

…and we are of on another beautiful hike……met Sherman Downey

  along the trail, I like his songs and music.

Interesting trail…..from darkness to light.

Driftwood Sculpture

Driftwood Sculpture…artist unknown.

 

 Baker’s Brook?

Enter if you Dare!

This unique formation of trees caught my eye, formed by the wind and time. It forms a great wooden cave. Nature is……………………………………………

Beachcombing

Beachcombing

The Coastal Trail at Green Point is an easy trek (6 km return) and so worth doing.

Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, to have lived light in the spring, to have loved, to have thought, to have done?  Matthew Arnold

 

Photos L. Fudge

 

 

“My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions but in the fewness of my wants.” J. Brotherton

“My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions but in the fewness of my wants.” J. Brotherton

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I just received my TTT newsletter for 2016 and unfortunately I can’t attend this year, but I certainly recommend this festival.   Norris Point and Woody Point are breathtaking!

This festival provides everything I love…hiking, entertainment, meeting new people and exploring new places. People come from all over Canada and the United States for this event. Trails Tales Tunes May 20-29 2016  what an adventure it will be!

 

Norris Point with the Tablelands in the background.

After sipping refreshments on the dock outside of The Cat Stop Pub and Grub, we did a little hike. Amazing vistas, but the seaweed is slippery! A little over zealous when surrounded by such beauty, I took a little dip in the water!

One of the guided hikes we did.  Layers of clothing were removed the further we walked.

Yes, that’s a moose.  It was like walking through a dead forest, the moose do so much damage here.

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So worth the hike!

 

“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right leg.”    G. M. Trevelyan

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The very talented Daniel Payne and friends.

We signed up for a Photo Scavenger Hunt in Woody Point. A boat took all participants across to Woody Point and we were given a list and, I believe, 2 hours to find and take  pictures of all the items. What fun! Our new found friend from Vancouver Island was very competitive.  We all had lunch (included in the cost) at a local restaurant and then took the ferry back to Norris Point where more entertainment awaited.

Every day there is a hike or some activity, plus entertainment in the afternoon and/or evening. Don’t hike? Go for the music, stories, scenery and the opportunity to meet new people and experience new ideas.

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All photos by L.  and C. Fudge

 

“There is nothing like walking to get the feel of the country. A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.”  Paul Scott Mowrer