This morning we arrived at our last North American port of call, St John in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. The town itself is an important industrial and commercial port but sits on the Bay of Funday, which has the highest tidal range in the World. When these tides hit the incoming waters from the rivers that feed it they create a tidal bore leading to a phenomenon known as the “reversing waterfalls”. Many of the trips from the ship were destined to see this today but having experienced it on our last visit (and being a little under whelmed) we decided to stay and walk in the town itself.
Our walk took us initially along the seafront on a newly made walkway that would eventually end up at a viewing point for the reversing falls. We followed it for a short while passing some beautifully manicured gardens and some art installations.
Diverting from the path and heading into the town itself past some interesting old buildings.
Walking through the town we came to King’s Square Park, taking its name from King George III who granted St John city status back in 1785. The park was an area that through the years has played host to cricket matches, hog roasts and more sinisterly a pillory and slaughter house. Today it is a well laid out piece of greenery in the midst of a thriving town.
In the centre of the park is a fountain that houses a bandstand on the top, unfortunately no band being present on our visit.
Next to the park is a large cemetery known as the Old Loyalist Burial Ground (We were to find out more about the Loyalists later in the visit).
Walking through the town we came across several large trucks of movie equipment and a large contingent of technicians scurrying around. Being used as we are with many movies and TV shows being filmed at home we enquired about this production. Apparently it’s a TV show being filmed for release on the Sci-Fi channel in early 2025 entitled “Revival”. It’s about a town in Wisconsin where the dead residents come back to life.
Further down the street some fake snow was apparent outside a shop presumably ready for the next scene.
Perhaps the highlight of the day was the visit to Trinity Church where a local parishioner named John, gave us a potted history of the church and indeed the city itself.
The church is known as the Loyalist Church and was founded in 1783 just after the American War of Independence. Many of the people who were loyal to the British Crown had to flee America and a large number chose to come here to Canada. Thanking them for their loyalty the Crown gave each person 100 acres of land and provisions to last for twelve months, those higher ranking people got more land. The only stipulation was that they needed to clear the land, which was mainly forested,themselves. This lead to the main industry in the Province to be lumber and paper manufacture, which it still is today.
Many of the high ranking British from Colonial America came here and some were buried in the church.
Our guide, John, was not only interested in the history of the area but also the First World War and Canada’s and particularly his family’s involvement. We spent a very interesting half hour listening to his tales and swapping stories of our respective Grandfathers.
Walking back towards the ship it was time to look at the shops, unfortunately the second hand record shop was closed.
We walked through a shopping mall with some very interesting sculptures. Can you spot the odd one out?
Next to the port itself is a new area called Area 506 and is a shopping village made from over 100 old shipping containers. Here an assortment of craft stores, food outlets and touristy shops have been set up.
Another lovely port of call and once again the weather has been particularly kind to us with sunshine all day and no rain. Hopefully the weather stays as pleasant as we make our way back over the Atlantic for the next six days. We then have two days in France before returning home.