Saturday, July 23, 2016, St. John’s, NL
Day 56

We began the day at the farmer’s market and a trip to the Georgetown Bakery. Next was a trip to Cape Spear with the oldest lighthouse in Canada dating to 1833.  It is a masonry tower surrounded by a frame lighthouse keeper’s house. This is also the furthest Eastern spot in North America. We hiked the trails and looked back north toward the Fort Amherst Lighthouse and Signal Hill. The wind was really blowing (as Newfies tell us it always does) and a bit cold so I changed from shorts to long pants. Next was a visit to the Newman Wine Vaults Historic Site. Thought to be built to house British ammunition in about 1750, the vaults were taken over by Newman & Company in 1840. By accident, one of its ships carrying port got off course and landed here. The port was stored in the vaults which lead to an improved product. Thus, it was thereafter used to store port from Portugal and then shipped to the British aristocracy. A short tour included a sample of the port. Alas, Rosemary liked it and drank her sample. Next was the Commissariat House Historic Site. This house built in 1818 was the Commissariat’s office and residence.  He was in charge of logistics for the British troops. Next was a trip to Quidi Vidi, a small fishing village about 5 minutes North. It had a brewery but all its tours were sold out and no tastings without the tour unless you buy a case. It was probably sour beer anyway. After we saw the Fort Amherst Lighthouse from Signal Hill and from Cape Spear, it was time to visit. The road ended about a half mile from the site and we hiked up the hill to the lighthouse.