We had lunch of at the Island Bake Shop in Shoal Bay--seafood chowder, egg salad sandwich, and tea. We couldn't resist a fresh loaf of molasses-raisin bread and a couple of cookies. Boy, did it smell good in that bakery!
The people of Fogo Island refused to move after the government's resettlement act of 1960 was passed, making the choice that many other Newfoundland communities wished they had made. The residents of the 11 communities formed the Shipbuilders Co-op (later known as the Fogo Island Cooperative Society) for the purpose of recognizing their common problems and working together to solve them, rather than remaining isolated in separate enclaves. The "Fogo Process" uses media to promote awareness, dialog, and communications in order to promote social change. It has been documented, studied, and used as a model for change in other areas in Newfoundland.
Fogo Island has some of the most fascinating geology in Newfoundland. The Fogo Island batholith (igneous intrusion) underlies 80 percent of the island. The three main rock types include the dark-colored mafic (rock of silicate minerals rich in magnesium and ferric iron), light-colored granite, and ultramafic (very dense igneous rock). Vegetation on these rocky expanses is sparse, and lakes at different elevations abound.
Granite rocks near Tilting
Granite and mafic rocks near Tilting
Mafic and ultramafic rocks near Tilting
Brimstone Head near Fogo juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and has been named "One of the Earth's four corners" by the Flat Earth Society.
Brimstone Head (in fog) at Fogo
Tilting, located at the northeast tip of the Island, is Newfoundland's first "Registered Heritage District" and it is a "Canadian National Historic Site" mainly because it has retained its traditional saltbox houses, fishing stages, gardens, and picket fences. Traditionally sheep and other livestock were allowed to roam unrestrained, so picket fences were constructed to protect the family gardens. We saw maybe 20 sheep in two fenced in areas about 5 miles apart--the fences remain, however.
Fishing stages and picket fences
Saltbox house against the rocks and picket fence
Before leaving the island we visited the Marconi wireless relay station in the town of Fogo, up a windy road to a replica of the original permanent station. The station operated from 1912 to 1933: Radio signals reached 288 miles from this station and were then relayed on to Europe by antennas attached to ships. The original station was located 300 feet above sea level and very near to the present Interpretive Center.
View of the original site of the Marconi wireless relay station in Fogo
(where the flag is on top the hill)
Welcome
These interpretive centers, information centers, and many of the tourist-season businesses and facilities are run by college students, home for their summer working vacations. The young man at the Wireless Interpretation Center got home in April after his first year at St. John's University, studying to be a mathematics teacher. His family's house was just at the bottom of the hill.
View of the town of Fogo at sea level from Wireless Interpretation Center
More wash hung out on a bright sunny day
We shopped at The This and That Store in Fogo, had some pie and tea and coffee, then headed for the ferry boat. Another full day.
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