Well our weather forecast was again not great calling for higher winds later today and worse tomorrow. Graeme also checks a wind direction and strength app so we don't get any surprises out in the ocean.
What to do! I was still keen to have our trip back down to see Perce Rock and do the tourist boat to see the gannets and seals.
So we compromised and decided to leave early afternoon when we had returned.That meant getting up early again and by 7.30 we were on the road heading south to get breakfast in Perce and then get on the 9 am ( the first ) tourist boat. It started to rain as we headed off on the boat first around the Rock and then going around the Ile Bonaventure. We saw lots of seals basking on the rocks , not that there was any sun to bask in! Then we started to see the Gannets tucked into the numerous ledges of the cliffs .
There were also many birds diving and flying around , it was a hive of activity. This gannet colony has more than 50,000 birds and is the largest colony in the Atlantic. They will all be heading off south to Florida and Mexico around October, although apparently some get so fat from the abundance of food in the seas in the area, they can't make the journey.Is this a lesson for us!
We had planned to get of the island and walk the 45 min track to see the gannets up close , but the weather was so miserable and with our time constraint , decided to give it a miss, sadly.
Back in the car and we went south again to check out Anse a Beaufils.
The Marina had intrigued us and it was a fun visit. Certainty a small but good Marina to duck into on the journey.Also there is a local brewery next door so we decided to buy a couple of the beers to try on the boat.We drive back through Perce as I had spied a nice looking Boulangerie. We bought some goodies , Graeme a Croque Madame and I an almond croissant Both very good. The French sure know how to make pastries ! Graeme also picked up a creme brûlée for dessert tonight.
Then time to ge back to the boat and by 12.45 we were back on the water again!
Turns out all this bad weather apart from some drizzly rain didn't materialize and we had one of the calmest seas so far in Canada. We rounded the Forillon Penninsula that houses a large national park .
I must say the Canadians do a great job of looking after their park areas in this part of the country.
Dramatic sheer cliffs create wonderful views and as we headed North down to our Marina we looked for whales we hoped would be in the area .Sadly we didn't see even one!
We passed by the slim Cap des Rosiers Lighthouse .It is Canada's tallest maritime beacon at 34 meters high. Remember a meter is 3.3 ft.Shortly after we turned into the sheltered fishing harbour of Rivière au Renard.It has the reputation of being the largest commercial fishing port in the gulf region At the end of the inner Harbour sits Club Nautique Forillon Marina. Such a grand name don't you think! Madame the dock master (who Graeme had been conversing with in French) was on the dock dressed in jeans and jean jacket , leather red boots and a jaunty checked hat hosing down all the bird poop that had covered the dock area we were supposed to dock at.She was a real character. After we docked Graeme got out his hose and helped Madame to complete the job which took about 45 mins!
Then time to check in at the office , we got a little discount as Graeme had helped wash down the dock area.
We set off next to find one of the two fresh seafood shops that sit by the Marina written up about.
We found Les Pecheries Gaspesiennes and purchased some fresh flounder for tonight , and frozen cooked river shrimp( like I had last night) and some cooked regular shrimp.
Took a quick walk around the town which didn't have a lot going on. For dinner we cooked the fish and Graeme bought some French fries from a canteen next to the Marina, they were great A salad accompanied the meal. . And don't forget creme brûlée for dessert!Oh and we shared one of the beers .It was called La Blonde l' Anse. Very nice!
Over and Out,
S and S
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