Two Lane Adventures: Day 17 of 30 on our 2017 Canadian Maritime Caravan with Yankee RV Tour

We spent last night at the Port aux Basques, this way we were there and ready for the start of Wednesday June 21, 2017. I should tell you that there is an 11:45 pm ferry that we heard the overhead announcements for that loading. Then, there is a 5 am commercial only ferry and we started to hear the overhead announcements for those drivers to return to their vehicles about 4:30 am.

So, you could say it was an early morning at the port! But, the early morning allowed us some awesome sights. We watched the fog “breath.” It came in and went out, again and again.

We enjoyed a breakfast at the restaurant at the port and they had free wi-fi, so we got caught up on a few things on the internet. The ferry terminal had a nice seating area with television and a model of a passenger and cargo steamer, the Cabot Strait.

We loaded the ferry starting around 10am and got settled into our reclining seats. We went back to Nova Scotia on the sister ship to the one we traveled to Newfoundland on, the MV Highlander is our ship today. Since, I have already talked about the ferry ride I wanted to talk about a few observations from Newfoundland, as we sail away from it.

Without a doubt, one of the most colorful things in Newfoundland is its language. Start a conversation with a visitor to Newfoundland, you are able to understand most every word, provided they speak the same language! Speak to a Newfoundlander and you are challenged to understand every third or fourth word. Both are speaking English but, oh, what a difference. The English spoken in Newfoundland is a blend of English, French, Irish, and Scottish dialects. The influence of the native peoples and even a bit of American from the servicemen stationed here during and after WWII add to this language. Add to this language, a serious mixture literally hundreds of sea-lore expressions and idioms that could fill a dictionary and you have Newfoundland English. There is a Dictionary of Newfoundland English, but it is not easy ready! There is a lighter version, The Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador by Ron Young. This book is a must read for those interested in the language and lore of Newfoundland or a visit to the “Rock”.

The fellas at the Schreech-In taught us a thing or two. The biggest influences are the Gaelic language of Ireland which has no th sound and the fact you make the sound by placing your tongue against the back of your top front teeth has greatly influenced the language of Newfoundland. This become “dis,” three becomes “tree,” bath is “bat” and teeth ironically becomes “teef” which also means thief. Also o’s before r’s become a’s so that forty is “farty,” corn is “carn,” and morning is “marning. “ The letter s is often added to verbs and removed from nouns resulting in “I gets as good of a time now as I did 25 year ago. The oi sound become i and you have “Every time yah pints your finger at me, me fair blood biles”.

Even though we were there is June, we learned about one of their Christmas Holiday traditions, Mumming. The only people we saw dressed were in pictures and these cute earrings, wine charms and ornaments. Sold at various gift shops we visited. Mumming is a Christmas holiday tradition in Newfoundland when people dress up in disguise, veils over their faces, and men usually dress up as women and women as men. With musical instruments in hand and wooden horse chops to ride, the merry makers begin on St Stephens Day, December 26. With a wooden Johnny stick, they wrap on the door and ask, “”Any mummers ‘lowed in?” using hushed disguised voices. If allowed in, the music and entertainment begins and the Mummers are served food and of course, alcohol. Moving from one house to another, the mummers go on ‘til morning’s light.

We got off the ferry and headed back to the Arm of Gold campground. It is an awesome park with unbelievable facilities and a very accommodating owner. John and his wife, go above and beyond to ensure every guest is satisfied and has an enjoyable stay!

The first thing we noticed was the trees lining the entry road have really budded out! Look at the before and now pictures! The difference in a week is awesome!