Saturday, June 22, 2013

Starting the day with a frittata and ham breakfast gives you that energy boost you need to get hopping…

I also discovered two new berries to add to my list of delectable jams: partridgeberry and bakeapple. Yum! Bakeapple berries seem to be very local and the jam is only sold in speciality stores (meaning for tourists) and a 250 mL jar is about $12.00. Needless to say, locals make their own!

The day was dedicated to a guided tour of historical Trinity. These houses and walls had some juicy stories to tell, and those early settlers were not saints…

Since our guide did not officially start working before Monday, June 24, we did what smart tourists do in cases like these: they take matters into their own hands! It turned out to be a great experience because we got a map of Trinity historical buildings and for $15.00 each we visited 10 historic sites in the village, with all the explanations we wanted… And since we were off tourist season, we were often alone with a very knowledgeable staff!

First stop: a 1750 forge. Today, the forge operates as a living history blacksmith museum. The blacksmith was actually at work, and we got two “S” hooks “fresh from the fire”! They will be perfect to hang my birdhouses.

Working forge. This was hard work and very busy business. Imagine that each nail was forged one by one. The forge had 2 blacksmiths and 2 apprentices.

Next was a Georgian-style house built in the 1750s and refurbished in 1819. It was the home of a prosperous merchant, Benjamin Lester, who had a large fleet and carried fish to Spain and Portugal. Most of the house was reconstructed, but a lot of furnishings were still from that era.

Home of a wealthy merchant. Now Trinity visitor center.

The Trinity museum also held quite a collection of artefacts, with the modest building dating back to the 1880s. In the summer, it even offers mat hooking classes (some beautiful pieces were exhibited).

Both the Anglican and Catholic churches were also open and part of this historical heritage tour.

Inside St Paul’s Anglican Church wooden pews.

Majestic church organ. Notice the yukon jack flag.

Inside of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church.

Last catholic wooden church in Newfoundland.

We stopped for lunch at a small place that turned out to be a brand new B&B. It had opened two weeks ago! The fish cakes were divine (practically all fish, lightly browned) and the famous NFLD pea soup was delicious and a meal on its own!! As a “bonus”, we were invited to take a tour of the premises (a great way to advertise this new lodging in town!).

Little anecdotes:

• When I mentioned that I loved partridgeberry jam but couldn’t find it anywhere else but in souvenir shops, the cook quickly mentioned she was making a fresh batch the next day and would set aside a jar for me!!! WOW! Now, that’s great hospitality?
• The next savoury discovery was the chocolate factory/shop right in the village! What are the odds? Partridgeberry jam and delicious chocolate side by side… This is heaven!

Live theatre at its best:

The building was used to dry fish. Now it is a local live performance theatre.

Parish Hall is now used as a performance theatre.

The Rising Tide Theatre, in Trinity, is featuring original productions from some Newfoundland and Labrador’s best writers, performers, directors, and designers. We were fortunate to be able to see two productions during our stay:

• “Pillow Trade” was a comic romp about the chances we take in love and lodging and the fact that the past always catches up with you. A fun-poking to B&B vacationing.
• “Saltwater Moon” was returning to Trinity for its 17th season! The story took us back to a lovely summer evening of 1926. The moon was full and young Jacob Mercer had come back to Canada to win back his sweetheart. Mary Snow, however, was about to marry the merchant’s son, but Jacob would not allow that to happen…

What a nice way to end the day…

Until tomorrow,
Anna

Ray’s Perspective…
A day of visiting the historical buildings in Trinity. Very informative to explore how the people were living in the 18th century, some in large homes and some in smaller. Each building had a display of artefacts donated over time by families who lived in Trinity. Some of the most important buildings were 2 churches, an Anglican and one Catholic. And then, strolling around town we discovered picture worthy little gems, colourful in scenic surroundings.

Beautiful scenery.

One last picture of more modern time. What is this below? We saw it everywhere where we visited. Every house has one in front by the curb.

Newfoundland garbage box. Cost: $90