Tuesday, June 25, 2013

After breakfast, we left Trinity, a special place worth discovering. The sunny days we have recently enjoyed had given way to more cloudy skies, but the temperature was still enjoyable (around 16 degrees Celcius).

We headed South-East via Highway 1, towards Brigus (population 784 in 2001) where we would stay for two nights. What a charming, quaint, cute, picturesque little town!

We had lunch at the Country Corner (www.thecountrycorner.com), a local small restaurant & gift shop known for its chowder and its blueberry crisp with ice cream and blueberry sauce (almost a meal on its own…).

If you wonder how we find those places, it is because 1) they are well advertised on road signs; 2) they are mentioned on Trip Advisor and 3) they sometimes are the only “hot spot” in town…

After lunch, we visited The Old Stone Barn, the town museum. This small stone building was originally constructed in 1820, but only the stone floor remained from the original site. Reconstruction was completed in 1991 and the building was opened to the public. After visiting a number of local museums, I came to the conclusion that we shouldn’t toss anything that could be considered a collectable piece or memorabilia. One day, we could start a “Fragapane Heritage Collection”, or not…

After settling in at the Seacliff B&B (www.brigusseacliff.ca), we were recommended a restaurant in Cupids, and stopped for a lobster dinner at Skipper Ben’s (www.skipperbens.ca). What a feast!

The most memorable part of the evening, however, was the Screech-in ceremony we witnessed, when two Ontarians were being made honorary Newfoundlanders.

About the “Screech–in”

The ritual is performed by a native Newfoundlander and involves eating hard bread, drinking some sweet liqueur and screech (a 40% alcohol rum), repeating some convoluted fishermen phrases, and kissing a cod on the mouth! An official certificate is produced and voilà: you have just become a non-native Newfie!

About “Mummers”

Our room at the Seacliff B&Bis named “The Mummer”. As it turns out, “mummers” are part of the Newfoundland and Labrador cultural fabric. At Christmas time, people cover their face with a white cloth and visit homes (usually friends and family) while dancing, playing music, telling jokes or reciting poems. The hosts must guess the identity of the “mummers” before welcoming them in. You learn every day…

Until tomorrow,
Anna

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