2015-07-25 Quebec

2015-07-25 Quebec

Well, we were told that it would be a waste of time to go to Labrador because there wasn’t really anything there. So, being the hard heads we are we went anyway just so we could say we had been there. Away we crossed on the 8:00 M.V.Apollo  ferry from St Barbe to Blanc Sablon, Quebec arriving around 9:30 and off the ferry by 10:00. What we didn’t know until late (dinnertime and at the L’Ancre (The Anchor) Restaurant that there was an hour and a half difference in time between Quebec and Labrador. We  had some very delicious fish and chips with fries and brown gravy (learning to like it). Maria Thomas was our attentative lovely waitress. She just finished high school and is planning to go to college but not sure just where yet.

First stop in Quebec was  the big ? mark (Visitor Center) to see what might be interesting. They steered us West into Quebec. The road is paved for 68 Km (45 miles or so). And, along the way we did find a few interesting thinks to visit.

The first was a monument of Ave Maria in honor of Fr. Alford Praulx, a former OMI. The grounds were laid out very neatly and had a couple of areas where you could spend some time meditating while adoring the monument.

(PHOTO)

We stopped at a viewing area (lookout) where we could possibly see some Puffins since this is the time of year they mate and rear their young. We did. They were all on an island just offshore.  There was a strong telescope and we could just make out black and white birds but we couldn’t tell if they were puffins or seagulls. 

Next stop was at a small fish processing plant that was apparently closed awaiting the fishing boats. We did get a few photos of it.

(PHOTOS)

The next came as a surprise to us. The  Aqua Labadie Scallop Aquaculture Farm, owned by Philippe and Clara Labadie.  Phil gave us, Gerald Perron and Lucie Tremblay   a couple from Montreal a tour (pontoon boat ride) out to the mouth of the bay marking his exclusive area.    He told us that the other area is closely watched due to the over harvesting of scallops in the past.  We went by a village that at one time had permanent residents and a general store (owned by a bootlegger) and a church (with two cemeteries’, one Catholic and one protestant). Phil also showed us an area (safe harbor) where the American military would anchor near a beach in WWII that became known as “The American Beach “.  We also went by a fish processing plant that seemed to be quite busy. 

                                       

                                                                                           
                                         

                                                          Maria Thomas