Newfoundland - August 21/14 - Icebergs and L'Anse aux Meadows

Our travel day was from St. Anthony to L'Anse aux Meadows but were very lucky to see icebergs in the bay at St. Lunaire, just south of our destination.

Thursday, August 21

Leaving St. Anthony in a light fog

It seems that each little fishing village has it's own "non floating" fleet of boats.

Our first viewing of icebergs. Several small ones made their way into the bay at St. Lunaire, while two larger ones drifted past the mouth of the bay, heading for St. Anthony. Hope it clears there so they can be seen.

Just so amazing to see them up close

These were just floating in and were soon grounded

Hurry up and take the photo, it's cooooold!

Unusual to have this many at this time of the year. 

Had to make my way around a point to catch a quick look at these two larger ones as they made their way past the
opening of the bay.

Worked my way through the rocks on an incoming tide, so didn't stay to long to see the big ones.

Some pieces broke off as we were there

The blue hues reflected from the ice was just amazing.

Washed ashore

Framing the village

A first for us

Small pieces washed ashore and now have some in our freezer.

A brave guy for the photo op

We didn't have to pay big bucks to be taken out to the icebergs, they came to us. Bonus

A couple of kayakers taking a chance between the bergs.

Vikings 

Walkway from the visitor centre to the Viking village.

How it might have been 1000 years ago when the Vikings came.

Small replica of a Viking ship

We took in a guided tour 

These two bronze sculptures, The Meeting of Two Worlds, represents the completion of the circle of humanity around 1000 years ago, when Aboriginal (left) and Viking (right) met. 

This was the actual site that was excavated by archaeologists in the 1960's.

The excavations were covered in again to preserve them and a replica village was built to represent these.

The reconstructed village, as it might have been

Inside the sod building. In-character staff members told stories.

A wan-a-be Viking. Don't think I would have lasted long.

So honey, how is this for a retirement home?

Don't have to worry about cutting the grass here.

Blacksmiths would melt bog iron and make nails for their boats.

Bog peat was the main building material for their shelters.

Nicely done

Off to hike around the shoreline and lowlands meadows for 2km. 

It doesn't look it, but was it ever windy and cold. We were the only ones on the trail.

Always time to pick berries

This 10-foot bronze statue of Leif Ericson is to immortalize the first
European to discover North America.

Made a stop here to purchase some of their famous wild bakeapple products.

Not too far of a drive for our evening spot.

Camouflaged in the trees. A great site.

How's this for ending a perfect day of exploring. Bayou Rum from Louisiana (bought on our southern trip this year), poured over 15,000 year old ice from the iceberg and drank on the "Rock". It made a pinging sound as the gas bubbles escaped. Cheeers!