We enjoyed a mug up, or tea break along the way (See Newlandland sayings). There were choices of muffins, tea, or coffee. This is snack time after all. It took a while for service. About half-way through our drinks, it was already time to leave. Mary asked if we might switch to a Styrofoam cup to go. “Of course,” the waitress said.
“I don’t suppose I can get a warm up?” Doesn’t hurt to ask.
“Help yourself when you pick up your cup.” She pointed to the coffee service beside the cash register. The mug up had been free as was the warm up and cup.
Next stop, we visited the Red Bay National Historic Site Visitor Centre and the Interpretation Center to view the collection of artifacts.
I cannot get my head around it. how had whalers managed to chase, catch, and harpoon a 60,000 whale and not drown in a boat the size of the chalupa (also see below).
- Red Basque Bay Whaling Station (Bay named because of red soil)
- 2 types of whale: bowhead and bull
- 2,000 French sailors came here for whaling
- 30,000 tons of whale oil back to their homes
- 1 barrel of oil = $6,000 – $8,000 each
- Several whaling stations
- First will was written in Basque Country by a sailor
- Selma_Barkham five years in the Basque Country (historian / researcher)
The real deal a-basque-galleon
Later, the bus stopped for a facilities break at an Express Liquor, which carried everything you might ever need: from skidoos, motor oil, fishing equipment, tourist T-shirts, snacks, and wine. Wow. Francis told us not to be shy. The 7-ll we have in Ontario are nothing like this and don’t even carry spirits.
“If you want to pick up some wine or spirits, here’s your chance.” What a salesman!
Mary and I followed the rest of the passengers like sheep. An opportunity not to pass to loosen the bus-sitting bodies. When we asked Francis the chances of finding another Express the following night around the hotel, he said, “No chance.”
“Guess we’ll plan ahead then.” I felt heat rise in my face. He smiled and I scooted away.
Isn’t this a straight highway?
The restaurant where we stopped for dinner was a disappointment. The crab cakes I ordered were a good size, nicely browned, but mashed potatoes over-powered the taste. I couldn’t taste the cod. Had they run out of fish? A salad lay limp and suffering next to them, joined in the deception with a thimbleful of homemade pickle relish and half a slice of white bread. What? Thank goodness I decided to splurge on a glass of beer before I saw my order. I thought my tummy would scream for more food, but it didn’t—not immediately. Mary and I considered ordering a pizza later.
Around 8:20 pm, the bus finally arrived at Northern Light Inn for a one-night stay. A huge bowl of non-alcoholic punch with floating inch-long slices of orange peel awaited us in the lobby. Francis handed out room keys and menu choices for boxed lunches. We had to fill out and drop them off at Reception before going to our rooms. Someone was coming in for overtime to make up the lunches, ready for pick up in the morning on our way to the bus.
The room offered a different experience again. This time the water pressure surprised us. It was exceptional compared to our previous hotel where the toilet couldn’t gather enough pressure to flush without some cajoling.
The sink / powder area were across the hall from the bathroom. Something we haven’t seen on this tour, although, I have in the past. A note on the bathroom mirror requested unused towels not be dropped in the tub signifying laundry. MADE perfect sense. Why not save towel life, excess soap, bleach, water, and electricity? I like and appreciate conservation. Why not in a hotel / motel environment?
TIME FOR A GIGGLE:
A man bought a sheer nightie for his 80-year-old wife. “Oh my gawd. All that money and they didn’t even iron it.”
© 2015 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles.
For more related posts, click on Newfoundland / Labrador tab at the top of the page.
Next on February 26th – Around and out of Labrador
February 19, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Did they add the fish? That made me laugh, although it probably wasn’t too funny for you eating that meal. Another interesting post.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Sure didn’t taste like anything but mashed potatoes. 😦
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February 19, 2016 at 6:56 pm
I wouldn’t do well in those times. I wonder if I could kill a whale even if I was starving. Probably…
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February 21, 2016 at 5:15 pm
But look at the price of whale oil per barrel. No thanks for me as well. Nice to see you, Jacqui. 😀 😀 I’d rather stay behind in the stinky abode and hang over a smoky fire.
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February 19, 2016 at 7:06 pm
If I had to go whaling in a boat that size, I’d definitely need some spirits when I was done!
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February 21, 2016 at 5:16 pm
I’m with you, Carrie. The boat in comparison to a whale–oh my. Aren’t whales stronger than a bunch of men in a dinky boat? ❤ 😀
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February 21, 2016 at 5:32 pm
I would think so.
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February 19, 2016 at 7:09 pm
The visit to the museum looks interesting
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February 19, 2016 at 7:22 pm
It w.a.s. unbelievable and I’m not even into fishing. Fish, yes, after it’s on my plate. 😀
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February 21, 2016 at 5:17 pm
The museum was a gorgeous building.
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February 19, 2016 at 8:21 pm
The museum looked good but the rest of the description sounds a little dreary. Thanks for taking us along.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:19 pm
The people giving the presentations were so darned passionate, I couldn’t help but pay attention. Whalers’ lives were scary. Wouldn’t want to be married to one. What a way to make a living. 😦
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February 21, 2016 at 6:23 pm
I know right. Little boat big whale.
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February 21, 2016 at 6:28 pm
Danger. Danger. Get out of the water! 😀 😀
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February 21, 2016 at 6:43 pm
Ha ha ha
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February 21, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Too funny. I better stop before I hurt myself.
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February 21, 2016 at 8:28 pm
Yes.
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February 19, 2016 at 9:57 pm
Always enjoy traveling along with you Tess. I’m on vacation in Hawaii now with grandkids in tow for part of the time. We’re seeing lots of whales spouting and jumping, and my 6-year-old grandson looked up Humpback Whale and read that they are endangered. What a lesson for him, particularly as my daughter and I explained how they were overhunted in those ships.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Wow. That’s fantastic. Hawaii. Lucky lady!
What a way to make a living. Hate to be married to a whaler. Never, never know if your man is coming home or if the whale upset the boat or what.
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February 22, 2016 at 5:12 pm
That’s the truth – the life of a whaler’s wife was tough. Now, the “whaler’s” here in Hawaii just set out on a motorboat with tourists to few the whales’ antics. Much better!
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February 20, 2016 at 3:19 am
You seem to be travelling over a lot of flat, dull terrain on this trip Tess?
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February 21, 2016 at 5:24 pm
You are right indeed. The land was flat; the coastlines were rocky, raw and formidable. Absolutely breathtaking. 🙂
Thanks for the visit, Gilly.
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February 20, 2016 at 3:27 am
Everything you write about your trips you fill with interest Tess. I’d love to be sitting next to you for a running commentary someday.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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February 21, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Thank YOU, David. I have a short memory. Without notes I can barely make out at time, I’d forget everything. I’m tickled you enjoy reading about my travel. Huge hugs. ❤ ❤
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February 20, 2016 at 3:37 am
Love the giggle and the museum sounds interesting, it was a hard life for humans and whales.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Our tour guide laughed so hard telling the joke, we almost didn’t hear it. Yes, the museum was marvelous and looked a new building. Thanks for the visit, Rosie. ❤ ❤
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February 20, 2016 at 4:27 am
Wonderful photographss – particularly of the model boats.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Thank you, thank you. I haven’t taken many pictures in my time but these trips I wanted to remember as much as possible. A picture helps when my scribbles are unreadable. Thanks so much for coming along. ❤ ❤
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February 20, 2016 at 5:15 am
Those whaling guys were tough for sure!
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February 21, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Indeed. What a hard life. Those whales weren’t babies. What a haul. I wonder how many whalers lasted a natural life span.
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February 22, 2016 at 1:10 am
I bet it was tough to get life insurance!
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February 20, 2016 at 5:43 am
What a beautiful model of a galleon. But the thought of being in the tiny boat while hunting whales…o.O
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February 21, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Indeed the model was gorgeous. You should have seen us holding up purses and jackets to kill the glare from the light hanging over the glass case as we took turns trying to capture a good shot. ❤
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February 22, 2016 at 2:50 am
Well, whatever you did worked very well. It’s a great shot!
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February 20, 2016 at 7:38 am
…amazingly brave (or stupid! ) whalers! 🙂 great post, m’Lady, Tess:)
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February 20, 2016 at 7:51 am
Thank you, Seumas. Wonderful to see you.:-)
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February 21, 2016 at 5:36 pm
Always on the backs of the little guys, a barrel of oil was between $6,000 and $8,000. Can you imagine back in those days? I wonder at the life span of a whaler too.
Thanks for the visit. Nice to see you Seumas.
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February 20, 2016 at 9:18 am
Looking at the photos of boats, Vikings came to mind. Sure, wrong ocean is near, but still, how do we know all the places the Vikings went?
It appears that the hotel room was pleasant upgrade for you and your sister, and a sensible place too. Were the beds decent?
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February 21, 2016 at 7:07 pm
Lots of Spanish. The Viking did come for the fishing as well, and the English and French. Someone mentioned chalupa is Spanish for boat without a motor. The boats weren’t that small but still too small to go hunting whales if you ask me.
Yes, the beds were all wonderful. Off and on, the pillows were much too high or full and not comfortable fore sleeping.
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February 20, 2016 at 9:48 am
Hi Tess!
Thought this was a truly great read, and really enjoyed it!
I have just started my blog and would love it if you checked it out! 😀
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February 20, 2016 at 10:25 am
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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February 21, 2016 at 7:07 pm
You are more than welcome. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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February 20, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
Travelling long with Tess.
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February 21, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Thank YOU, Judith.
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February 20, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Loving these posts, Tess. Are you tired yet?
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February 21, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Ha ha. We slept well and ate even better…except for supper this particular day…and another one which comes to mind.
I want to pack a bag and go someplace again. 🙂
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February 20, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Fascinating post. Life was tough for those whalers, wasn’t it?
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February 21, 2016 at 7:11 pm
I can’t imagine harpooning a 60,000-lb. whale in a puny boat like this. I wonder if they lost a lot of whalers. A hard life. Glad I didn’t live there and back then.
Thanks for the visit, Mary. 🙂
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February 20, 2016 at 5:13 pm
To think people from Spain went all the way over there to fish! I lived in Canada and never got to the east coast. We have met a few Basque people and they are very nice folks. Great pictures Tess!
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February 21, 2016 at 7:14 pm
Thanks so much, Darlene. It’s a fluke I visited the both coats within three months last year and beginning of this one.
Why do we always do searching faraway places when we have so much to discover right here? The Canadian dollar, that’s why. 😀 😀 😀 I’d like to see more of our country.
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February 22, 2016 at 7:43 am
My fingers are up to no good typing again. That should read c.o.a.s.t.s.
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February 20, 2016 at 7:15 pm
A very interesting post, Tess. I cannot imagine going out in that little boat and catching a whale that large.The model of the galleon with the cut away side is beautiful. It sounds as though you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing.
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February 21, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Yes, indeed. I had a wonderful time. Our guide was such a good one. He made this trip enjoyable.
Harpooning a 60,000-lb whale? Not on my bucket list either. You’re welcome to come on this tour anytime. 🙂 ❤
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February 21, 2016 at 4:06 am
I suppose the whalers succeeded because the whales became passive in that bay. Tough life choice mind you. As for the fish cakes my gran used to specialise in flavourless fish. Maybe she was using a Newfoundland recipe book. Great to follow the tour.
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February 21, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Call me a wuss, but I can’t imagine being caught in a bay with a 60,000-lb whale. Yikes.
You are funny but maybe your gran exchanges recipes with a pen pal? Could happen. 😀
Thanks for following along. Welcome anytime.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:05 am
I would be in heaven in a place like this.
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February 21, 2016 at 7:20 pm
Come oonnn down, Carl. Lots of fishing cause the fish stock are up and thriving again.
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February 21, 2016 at 5:30 am
All the trips usually are good as we try to have pleasures in many things, places, company (I mean friends). however we must be prepared for the bad disappointments… anyway I hope tou enjoy your days!!!!! … “Chalupa” are the name we the Spanisch people give to wooden small boats without any motor, of course, an in those times the galleons had at least one or two.
I wait for the rest of the trip!!!!!! Rosa Ave Fénix
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February 21, 2016 at 7:22 pm
Thank you, Marina. Welcome anytime. I suppose all trips will present some disappointment, but it’s all that you make it, right? 🙂
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February 21, 2016 at 12:19 pm
The museum looked interesting. The towel rules are great. Everywhere I travel there are notes in the bathrooms about water conservation, so I think word is getting around.
Oh, and LOL to the wrinkled nightie!!! xo ❤
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February 21, 2016 at 7:23 pm
I haven’t traveled much for a long time. This request is logical to me. Waste not, want not.
The guide laughed so hard telling this joke, he almost couldn’t get it out. 😀 😀 He was such a card.
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February 21, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I decided to leave this week’s tour of Newfoundland as my bedtime reading and was not disappointed. This week Tess visits the whaling museum and thought gruesome statistics, it was a different time. I had no idea that so many Basques from Spain when to Newfoundland. Anyway great descriptions as always and a little chuckle at the end of it. Thanks Tess and goodnight. hugs
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February 21, 2016 at 6:57 pm
Thank you, Sally. Night, night. Hope no whales came to haunt your dreams. 😀 😀 😀
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February 21, 2016 at 4:51 pm
That is a whale of a tale, Tess…I love whales (not that I know any personally), but I understand why whaling happened, not sure why it still happens, but…
Fascinating post, as always, thanks for sharing your journeys with us. Hope this week treats yo kindly. 🙂
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February 21, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Thanks so much for visiting, Donna, and for the kind words. Always pleased to see you. Wish you a fascinating week coming up. ❤ ❤
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February 21, 2016 at 7:36 pm
What an awful dinner! I’ve enjoyed the history of whaling since I was little – living in Massachusetts you can’t avoid it!
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February 21, 2016 at 7:50 pm
It’s fascinating indeed. What a hard life though. I wonder about the survival rate of whalers.
Thank goodness I had a glass of beer to cry into. 😀 😀 😀
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February 21, 2016 at 8:47 pm
I love those old ships, but I get sea sick on a lake! Fascinating history. Thanks for the tour, the museum sounds fascinating. 😀
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February 22, 2016 at 8:08 am
Thanks so much for the visit. I had no idea I’d enjoy the museum so much. The building seemed new, had a couple levels, and was jam packed with models and plaques. 🙂
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February 22, 2016 at 3:42 am
I’m a big fan of Moby Dick (it’s one of my all-time favourite novels) so I would have loved the museum. They were hard times indeed. Your meal doesn’t sound to appealing but at least you had a chance to stock up for later…;)
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February 22, 2016 at 8:05 am
Hi, Olga. Yes, I’m a fan of Moby Dick as well.
The museum was large and felt new and was packed with interesting models, was on several levels and well lit.
I don’t often complain about the food, but I had to be truthful about this one. A couple others at our table ordered the same meal and we rolled our eyes together. 😀 😀
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February 22, 2016 at 9:27 am
Interesting post. 🙂
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February 22, 2016 at 11:25 am
Thank you for reading. 🙂
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February 23, 2016 at 4:31 am
You cajoled the toilet – I’ll keep that in mind next time we’re experiencing plumbing problems. My husband will grab the phone and I’ll cajole the toilet to do the job well enough to cancel the plumber. Oh you made me laugh, Tess.
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February 23, 2016 at 6:55 am
I was begging the silly thing to do itself proud. Yes. I cajoled it. I confess I talk to inanimate objects.:-D 😀 The water pressure wasn’t good in only one hotel we stayed.
I’ve begun my day with a smile after laughing with you. Thanks for your perky comment.
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February 23, 2016 at 3:04 pm
“I’ve begun my day with a smile after laughing with you. ” Now I’m grinning also. Glad to know I brought a giggle to you – guess we must thank the “a la mode.”
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February 23, 2016 at 3:55 pm
😀 😀 Laughing and giggling keeps my ticker going. ❤ ❤ Anyway, it's also good for what ails you. I still believe laughter is the best medicine. Doesn't cost anything but adds sharing with friends along the way.
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February 23, 2016 at 8:11 pm
It amazes me, the everyday courage shown in the 19th century. And this is just what working stiffs did to make ends meet. Glad you had a nice trip. The area sounds fascinating. 🙂
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February 23, 2016 at 8:31 pm
I cannot imagine life before this one. I’m too much a feminist to have sat home and tended the fires and I sure as heck could not have settled for a poor working guy like a whaler. No, I’m not a snob but…still… I’m great with the here and now… I might like to visit for about five minutes until a storm hit or there was not food of the house was blown away…
*sigh* selfish? This is the life I know and I sure don’t want to go backwards after working for 42 years and not enjoying my retirement. 😀 😀 😀
The working stiff who were taken advantage of by the merchants until Dr. Grenville came along–in NFL, that is.
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February 25, 2016 at 12:27 pm
LOL LOL LOL…love the funny 😀 😀 😀 Tess, I love your travel blogs, interesting, humourous and full of details, which I just love to read about. You capture the entire experience, warts and all. Shame about the meal…next time, make sure you have more beers, ha! Wonderful adventures you are having, so happy for you 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 25, 2016 at 7:02 pm
I love history and all as well, but it’s not fun to write about like the nitty gritty if I can find it. 😀 L-D
Thanks for visiting and commenting. Great seeing you.
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