As we are staying in an Auberge tonight and tomorrow, our breakfast was a buffet affair. The choice was quite wide, with lots of fresh fruit, yogurts, toast, croissants, cheese, eggs and some things that looked like fairy cakes that appeared to be egg and tomato (although none of us tried those today so the mystery remained).
Today's journey starts with two of the staples - a marsh
We had been talking to two Canadian couples last night who said there was still a whale watching tour running from the National Park, but with only one boat a day. We made our way to the Pointe Grave where the boats leave from...but...it's foggy, and unless the fog lifts in the next half an hour they will not go out. We wait patiently hoping for the best. at one point it looks as though it's lifting but it was just teasing us as the fog thickened up some more! We try to book for the morning but it is full, with a group from a cruise ship. We think they are following us around.
As an alternative, Helene, at our last Gite stop, had told us to drive to the end of the park road and then there was a walk along the top of the cliffs to the lighthouse. She guaranteed that we would see plenty of wildlife along here, including whales. Checking with the whale boat tour man after they cancelled going out, he said it was unlikely we would see any from the shore today...but tomorrow, yes. Well by this time we were all kitted out in waterproofs so decided to do the walk anyway - we need the excercise. The walk starts on a gravel path with a warning sign.
Eric comments that it looks like we may need to carry out our 'Yo Bear' routine again. He's looking rather happy because he thinks this will be fun.
The path winds up and down, it splits into a cycling/walking path or a Sentier (hiking) path in a few places. The hiking paths slant steeply down the hill to a parallel flat section below. We opt for the easier route and stay on the gravel path - higher views over the water for spotting this elusive whales is our thought.
Glad we did because on this route we see...a Porcupine - up a tree!
It didn't look like it was a too natural arboreal dweller, although apparently this is normal behaviour. You learn something new every day. They must be very good at balancing!
There were lots and lots of different birds around, some quite difficult to spot, but some that sat obligingly at the top of trees. These are juvenile cedar waxwing.
No whales in the water as yet, but lots of seals.
This one was very curious and seemed to be looking straight at us, even though we were a good 100 ft above it on the cliff top.
There were also gazillions of Gannet
There appears to be a break in the fog, with the sun visible in a line between the sea and the fog. Great, better visibility for spotting those whales.
Well, in some directions anyway. As we are watching the many Gannet fly past we see a whale break the surface, a fleeting glimpse but a whale nonetheless.
Another of those obliging songbirds. male and female American goldfinch (we think)
No leaves on this tree, so a better view. it's a juvenile pine Siskin.
Eric discovers that this is part of a North American Trail that ends up in Georgia, after joining the Appalachian trail as it enters the US in Maine.
The walk was four kilometres each way so we were a little tired and hungry at this point. Some trail mix, banana, water and a biscuit later our next journey takes us to the northern part of the Park at Cap Bon Ami. There are two coach loads of cruise liner passengers here, but luckily for us they are just leaving.
The sun is out here, giving spectacular views of the cliffs to the right of us, although the sea is rougher.
The cliffs were an interesting mixture of geological formations
A closer look revealed multiple bird nests (but no birds).
Looking to the left we can see the other side of the peninsula we have just walked to the end of.
The fog is still visible drifting from the ends of the cliffs where we were.
A part of those cliffs, where a Bald Eagle had been spotted through the binoculars, but think it must have flown away by the time we shot this photo - although it was a very very long way away.
There's another lighthouse to visit on our return journey, but just as we are approaching we see that the two earlier cruise coaches have now been joined by another two, and they are all at the lighthouse.
We make do with a fleeting glimpse and continue on.
Returning to Gaspe Village and our accommodation Eric points out that where we are staying is one of the many historic houses that are scattered about the streets here.
Our abode for two nights.
We reach a sort of tourist centric square at the end of the walk and find that we are actually staying in the Birthplace of Canada.
Eric tries out the Mi'kmaq tepee for size (note the different spelling to previously for the Native American Indian tribe indigenous to this area, we have seen it spelt about four different ways).
That cloud looks ominous.
Make a dash for the quick way back - through the small shopping centre and a beautiful double rainbow appears, unusually seen with clouds in front of it.
Time for a quiet evening in before bed.