Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Newfoundland

Our trip to Newfoundland was everything we hoped it would be.  I am going to try to add a day or two at a time during the next several weeks. and especially add the photos.
So here goes.
August 18th.  4:00 AM up to drive straight through to Fredericton and one of our favorite B&B's, "Sunset on the River" with Judy and Tom Spink, he forverly of the RCMP.  Beautiful house, beuatuful gardens,  great hosts.

"Sunset by the River B&B

August 19th. 


Susan and wildflowers

Off to Port Hawksbury, with a beautiful stop along the way to watch a Norther Harrier, and injoy the 
view
August 20
On our way to Sydney Mines.  I go up early birdwatching, and came upon a young eagle, being harrassed by crows.  the resulting picture:


the Gagnon House, Sydney Mines, NS


August 20,  arrive in North Sydney and Heritage Home Bed and Breakfast, spectacular old historical home overlooking the bay.  Hostess Juana Moreland.   Beautiful. 
August 21, Sunday, and one of the important event in our trip, going to church at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, my grandfather having been a minister here in 1918. 
I had written the church asking if I could come in and record myself in the church, and it workd out that I was invited to play in the service, preludes (Bach cello suite, adagio, and Sheep may Safely graze, then Handel's Wh'ere you walk for offertory, and Closer walk with Thee, with jazz improv.
A part of this I will alway remember is talking to Don Crouse, the organist (Casavant organ, by the way) about must months before, and I suggested that I had just done Bach-Gounod's "Ave Maria"
at my own church and would that work?  Long pause on the phone, and then; "Well, you know, we did have a reformation!"  Obviously a little too catholic for Presbyterian tastes in Canada.
Mr. Crouse was wonderful, and we worked together like the two pros we were.  I include a video of the "Closer Walk", but I forgot to focus the camera, and it is horribly out of focus, but at least the music comes thru.

Heritage Home B&B









It would appear that my video will not load,  I'll work on it.
The view of the sanctuary, a picture of A.Douglas Wauchope at the church, St. Andrews, and finally members of the congregation whose parents had known "A.D." and in the case the woman in the black floral blouse, 93 years of age, remembered that "A.D." had married her parents. that's Don Crouse second from left. 
It was a wonderful and emotional experience and the members of St. Andrews made Susan and I feel as if we had given them a special gift. 
All this and we havn't reached Newfoundland yet.
More tomorrow.

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