The Journey Upstream from La Tabatière
We left La Tabatière aboard the Nordik (on Saturday 13 August) with the sun shining, but even as we passed the entrance to Mutton Bay, a short distance south along the coast, the skies had become overcast and there was a fine rain that continued intermittently throughout the day.
That night a real storm came up. The seas became so heavy that the crew had to drop speed. Randy slept through it all and I was fortunately unaffected, although unable to sleep. I went out on deck where there were a lot of pathetic looking people clutching barf bags. Not everyone was able to get them to their faces in time, which meant that one had to be careful to stay upwind of them and to keep a firm grip on the railing so as not to fall on the slippery deck. There was also great excitement as the crew wrestled to control one of the containers that had begun to slide back and forth as each wave crashed over the Nordik's bow.
The next day, Sunday, the weather improved, but Monday, our last day, was perfectly glorious. The sun was bright and warm, and as we passed Anticosti Island, leaving the Gulf behind and entering the river proper, the water was as calm as it had been rough two nights before. The Gaspé Peninsula was visible on the starboard side, tinted a beautiful, clear blue that blended with the water and sky At times the surface of the river was as smooth as a mirror and at others gently feathered into patterns of colour and texture by localized breezes. Even the crew was impressed and told us we were seeing something very unusual. Most of the passengers enjoyed the opportunity to spend the time on deck throughout the afternoon and evening, watching whales and ships, until we approached the lights of Rimouski, our destination and the Nordik's home port.
The Chic Choc Mountains, Gaspé, from the St. Lawrence River
Flushing the bilges west of Anticosti Island
On the St. Lawrence River, west of Anticosti Island
Havre St. Pierre
Harrington Harbour
Harrington is thoroughly unique, a classic outport situated on an island. No cars or trucks are permitted, and people move about the village on wide, well maintained boardwalks or across the rock, on foot, bicycle or atv. In recent years it has begun to attract tourist interest because it was the setting for the movie, "La Grande Séduction," a madcap comedy about the residents of a fishing outport who attempt to convince a young interim doctor to take up permanent residence.
Tidal pool, La Romaine
Providence Island is an island community that has been restored as a historical preserve.
La Chapelle, Providence Island, has been gloriously and lovingly restored. Clear windows flood the interior with light. The lecturn is in the form of an anchor, and the altar frontal is a fishing net.
We left La Tabatière aboard the Nordik (on Saturday 13 August) with the sun shining, but even as we passed the entrance to Mutton Bay, a short distance south along the coast, the skies had become overcast and there was a fine rain that continued intermittently throughout the day.
That night a real storm came up. The seas became so heavy that the crew had to drop speed. Randy slept through it all and I was fortunately unaffected, although unable to sleep. I went out on deck where there were a lot of pathetic looking people clutching barf bags. Not everyone was able to get them to their faces in time, which meant that one had to be careful to stay upwind of them and to keep a firm grip on the railing so as not to fall on the slippery deck. There was also great excitement as the crew wrestled to control one of the containers that had begun to slide back and forth as each wave crashed over the Nordik's bow.
The next day, Sunday, the weather improved, but Monday, our last day, was perfectly glorious. The sun was bright and warm, and as we passed Anticosti Island, leaving the Gulf behind and entering the river proper, the water was as calm as it had been rough two nights before. The Gaspé Peninsula was visible on the starboard side, tinted a beautiful, clear blue that blended with the water and sky At times the surface of the river was as smooth as a mirror and at others gently feathered into patterns of colour and texture by localized breezes. Even the crew was impressed and told us we were seeing something very unusual. Most of the passengers enjoyed the opportunity to spend the time on deck throughout the afternoon and evening, watching whales and ships, until we approached the lights of Rimouski, our destination and the Nordik's home port.
The Chic Choc Mountains, Gaspé, from the St. Lawrence River
Flushing the bilges west of Anticosti Island
On the St. Lawrence River, west of Anticosti Island
Havre St. Pierre
Harrington Harbour
Harrington is thoroughly unique, a classic outport situated on an island. No cars or trucks are permitted, and people move about the village on wide, well maintained boardwalks or across the rock, on foot, bicycle or atv. In recent years it has begun to attract tourist interest because it was the setting for the movie, "La Grande Séduction," a madcap comedy about the residents of a fishing outport who attempt to convince a young interim doctor to take up permanent residence.
Tidal pool, La Romaine
Providence Island is an island community that has been restored as a historical preserve.
La Chapelle, Providence Island, has been gloriously and lovingly restored. Clear windows flood the interior with light. The lecturn is in the form of an anchor, and the altar frontal is a fishing net.
posted by Garry Lovatt at 8:18 PM
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