THE BAULINE ICEBERG.

A couple more of Dean's photos.

There is an affinity between those pinnacles of ice and granite, which, while beautiful to behold, mariners know well the peril of not keeping them at a respectful distance.

THIS YEAR'S FIRST ARRIVAL IN C.B.

Iceberg drifting offshore from Bauline. Photo taken yesterday, Apr. 27, by a young nephew of mine.

PITTS' HILL
A view of the house of James Pitts, built c. 1780: the first real house to be built on Bell Island. This photo was taken c. 1900 while the house was still being occupied by his granddaughter, Frances. James was the first permanent settler in Lance Cove. Perhaps the greatest legacy of this man is that he inspired a community that never became captive to the cruel truck system that was the bane of so many of the early settlers. Pitts' hill is an icon , representing the highest of our mortal dreams and aspirations. Somehow, it seems to me, that an out-house, even with the best of intentions, falls somewhat short in symbolizing those ideals. For more information on the Pitts' Hill legacy, click on this link. http://us.geocities.com/lancecovesettlement/index.html

THE HOME OF JAMES PITTS Jr., 1784-1870

James jr. is the grandfather of James Stewart of St, John's fame. This lovely old house was built c. 1810 , just across the road from his father's place. Pitts' Hill is reeking in history. Here was set the standard that was to be the inspiration of what is arguably the most industrious and most prosperous settlement in the country at that time. Of even greater significance was the absence here of religious intolerance, a rare and wonderful occurrence to which the old pioneer cemetery on the cliffside bears moving testimony. Surely such a special spot deserves some better memorial than a concrete-block public outhouse.

PITTS' HILL PRIVY.

A "convenience" that some may argue is an enhancement of this historic site rather than a hideous and embarrassing defacement of it. Comments welcomed.

BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC OLD LANCE COVE, B.I.

View of the community bandstand against a background of the Seamen's Memorial and a recently excavated recreational gravel-pit. Ironically, in this scene is also a remnant of the home of John Pitts . 1783-1805, (little blue bungalow): the oldest remaining relic of Lance Cove's glory days. Soon the campers will be dragged in and parked along the seashore and the silence once again rent by the raucous cacophony of the merrymakers' shindigs. At the top of the hill the old pioneers sleep, blissfully unaware , we hope, of their dreams having come to such an end.

APRIL AFTERNOON.

APRIL EVENING.

500 MILLION YEAR OLD TRILOBITE FOSSIL.

Such treasures can be found in the ancient shale banks along the Manuels River walking trail. Those little creatures lived for 300 million years before becoming extinct.

FOSSIL FRAGMENTS.

Check out the link attached here.

http://www.manuelsriver.com/pages/fossils.html

FOOL'S GOLD

IT'S ONLY A WEED.

First bit of green spotted this Spring poking up through the gravel. Will be watching its progress as the days get warmer. The moss bloom is an indication of its tiny size.

SPRINGTIME COURTSHIP ON THE POND.

THREE IS A CROWD.

WINNERS AND LOSERS.

TONIGHT

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.

In flight, the black-headed gull looks and behaves very much like the familiar kittiwake (tickleace)

"The Black-headed Gull is a rare visitor to North America, turning up in small numbers along the northern Atlantic Coast. Records began to increase in the mid-1900s, and the first nesting attempt was discovered in Newfoundland in 1977. "

A few other rarely seen winter visitors to the seashore: all expert divers. It was disappointing that they did not come closer for a better shot. I spotted them in amongst the mallards, which are quite common.

BELL ISLAND SOUVENIR.

The carbide lamp, introduced in 1911, was used until c. 1935 to light the way of the miners in the deep underground. Before then candles and seal-oil lamps were used as the source of light. After 1935, battery powered electric lamps became standard issue.

AERIAL SURFING.

I TOLD YOU, NO!!!

DAWN.

Partners in banishing the night. View from my l.r. window.

KILROY WAS HERE.

DRIFTWOOD.