The North Atlantic with Pat and Phil: Day Four - Corner Brook, Newfoundland, CA

Arrived 7:30 am in Corner Brook, Newfoundland -- our first port of call. Clearing by Canadian Customs took until 8:45 am -- during which several names were called to report to the room where our passports were being reviewed. The Canadians are very fussy.

As we left the vessel a little after 9:00 am, we were serenaded by an accordion playing musician - a couple of Newfoundland dogs -- and an information booth happy to provide us with maps, guides and directions to wherever we might want to go.

A True Newfoundland Welcome!


Our Accordian Playing Welcome Muscian

Corner Brook's main industry is The Pulp and Paper Mill which was built in the 1920's -- at the time it was the largest project ever undertaken in the history of paper making.

We walked to the downtown area -- about 15 minutes. We immediately came upon the The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist -- completed in 1935 to accommodate the growing population brought in by the Pulp and Paper Mill. The docent explained the history of this lovely wooden structure built with the help of parishioner labor.

Next we found the Corner Brook Museum & Archives. A large granite building with interesting exhibits on the history of this area -- of particular interest to Phil was the section on military history. Catching my attention was the 1914 photo of the Indian Girl in the Caribou coat -- she was described as the daughter of "John Paul, Micmac-Montagnair of Badgers Brook" - her name was not given. We toured all three floors -- well worth the $5 admission charge.

Such a beautiful face!

Before snowshoes -- this is what people wore!

After a walk through the downtown area stopping in a couple of shops to pickup incidentals -- we headed to the Glynmill Inn and it's adjacent pond known for the walking trails that surround it through a lovely wooded area.

The Inn opened in June 1924 to house the senior staff members of the Armstrong-Whitworth Company Ltd. of England as they supervised the construction of their pulp and paper mill. An architect from Halifax designed the Tudor style "staff house" and in his honor the street leading to the Inn was named after him. The Inn has been a major presence in Corner Brook's social scene since it was built.

Pat in front of Glynmill Inn.

We walked the trails passing over a couple of brooks -- enjoying the swans and the fish ladder as well as the magnificent scenery -- all this contained in a forest-like setting in the middle of a city.

Phil on Glynnmill Pond.

We took a more citified path on our return to the ship just in time for lunch. As I passed by the Information Booth I inquired about wifi in the area and was delighted to learn that it was available right on the dock.

After lunch I gathered up my electronic equipment and headed to a spot sandwiched between the large dock building and the porta-potties. I arrived to join about six other people -- some of the crew from the ship and a couple of passengers.

Everyone was sitting on the concrete so I did the same -- I didn't expect to be there long just enough time to post the blog and check my e-mail. All of a sudden one of the dock workers came over with a chair for me --- a nice cushy chair like you would see in a hotel function room. Then a few minutes later a couple of benches appeared --- the people in this town are genuinely nice. I stayed for ninety minutes --- what more could I ask for: a chair -- perfect weather -- and a strong signal.

Back on the ship -- I had time to review the photos we'd taken -- go to my 5:00 pm stretch class and get ready for a wonderful dinner. I think I'm getting used to eating at 8:00 pm. We loved Corner Brook --- let's hope this is an indication of what is to come.

Tonight we travel through "Iceberg Alley" on our way to Red Bay Labrador.

Thanks for Reading!