Fogo Island!

Sept 11, 2019

We decided this morning to head toward Fogo Island.  Debbie has always been intrigued with this island.  She has learned that it is known for its quilters that live on the island.  She is also hoping to visit the Fogo Inn, a very eclectic and high-end hotel. 

We broke down our campsite, but before we left we went over to visit for a spell with Robert.  He explained that he was in Pistolet Provincial Park when Dorian struck that area of the Peninsula.  He was afraid that his tent trailer would be damaged in the high winds so he closed it and slept in his truck for the two nights.  We compared stories of the storm and then said goodbye.  Robert told us that he has plans to come to Nanaimo and Vancouver Island and he will look us up.

We took off and a short time later, arrived at the ferry dock for Fogo and Change Island.   The total ferry toll for us came to $29.80, which is a round trip cost!   The ferry called “Veteran” is a new and modern vessel and joined the Newfoundland/Labrador ferry system two years ago.  It took 45 minutes to reach Fogo Island.  There are 10 small communities on this island and the total population is about 2800. After we disembarked we stopped in at the Marine Vessel Interpretive Center to get our “tourist” information and a map of the island.  We learned more about the island and intend so see as much as we can.

The Fogo Lion’s Club manage the RV park in Fogo.  We found the park at the end of the road, right the headlands called Brimstone Head.  There were only two other campers in the campground and we chose a campsite facing the bay.  Debbie phoned the manager and told them who and what we were doing.   They told us to settle in and someone will be around later to register us and collect the funds.

Debbie started supper while I set the camp.  About a half hour passed when a motor home backed into another site.  The driver, Kevin came over and introduced himself.  Kevin and Wanda are from Stephenville and are here for four days. We all sat around the picnic table and told our stories.  As we were about to start eating a beautiful silver fox came out of the rocky hills to visit us.  It had obviously smelled the great stew that Debbie had made.  

As nightfall began Debbie and I ate our dinner at the picnic table, and several other campers approached us and wanted a tour of the Armadillo.  We ended the evening with us all standing around an open pit fire talking and telling stories.  Off shore about 500 meters, three fish boats were bobbing on the water squid jigging. They were still out there when we went to bed!  The breeze was stiffening and quite cold and it eventually convinced us to go inside. Tomorrow we explore Fogo Island.