Newfoundland South Coast: McCallum

Tuesday, July 5: Ferry from Gaultois to McCallum at 8 am and returning to Gaultois 5:30 pm, sleeping again at the Gaultois Inn.

Because there was no place to sleep in McCallum, we decided to spend the day – eight hours to be exact. It was raining when the boat docked at the wharf so we took refuge in the store to get our bearings. We were told we were welcome to come in the store anytime to take shelter and use the washroom.

The store on the wharf in McCallum is a welcome haven to vistors

McCallum from above

We hiked up the hill at the end of the boardwalk on the far side of the harbour from the ferry wharf and had a lovely view of the community. We came down off the hill near the church and were able to go inside and have a rest. We were told we could use the church for this purpose. Luckily the rain stopped while we were in there and we made our way up to a paved play court next to the school where we stuck our clothes through the chain link fence to dry. We left our things there and wandered as far as the incinerator – a requisite stop in all the South Coast communities on our itinerary.  

On the way we passed Didi’s Repair Shop for outboard motors, ATVs, Snowmobile and other small engines. Did, who is originally from Germany, also does welding and metal cutting, diving and small salvage projects. He encourages people to put their engine on the coastal boat, he will take a look at it and provide them with a quote. 

As there was no restaurant for lunch, we picnicked at the outdoor gym and before heading down to the wharf where the fishermen were unloading their catch of cod, red fish, a dozen crab and an 18-pound Monkfish. One fisherman named Kevin made the monkfish mouth open. It made a schlupping noise and we all jumped.

  

Fish prices summer 2016:

Monkfish .60 per pound

High quality cod: .70 per pound

Lower quality cod: .40 per pound

Kevin loaned us his fishing rod so we could catch some conners off the wharf. Margot caught one right away and we couldn’t get the hook out of its cheek to throw it back. We had to call for assistance.

Then we helped Roy Simms paint the bottom of his boat. Grand fun. He sat back drinking our beer while we got covered in blue paint – just like a scene out of Huckleberry Finn.

We finished our visit by meeting George and Mary Chapman who invited us into their house. Mary told us how she had raised a family on Fogo Island but when she lost her husband, she and two friends placed an ad in the paper looking for companionship. Mary was the only one who got a response. When George wrote, Mary went to McCallum to meet him and has been there ever since. They have been together since 2000. Mary gave us scallop shells as souvenirs to take home and paint. 

George and Mary Chapman