As soon as we passed Belle Isle the sun burned off the mist and we saw clearly the icy ramparts that our radar had guided us through. From then on it was plain sailing or, more accurately, steady motoring. For there was no wind and the smooth swells that rocked our boat were glassy and unruffled.
Unruffled that is until a loud splash and snort disrupted our cockpit conversation just 30m from us. A large humpback rolled and spouted then swarm around behind us floating, motionless on the surface. We motored on and he spouted a few more times then dived with a farewell tail flick.
Soon there was another whale and then a couple of dolphins dashed towards the boat. More seabirds than we have seen for ages were now gathering on the cliff faces of the Northern Peninsular as we motored close to the eastern shore.
Sally, who craves whale sightings had missed the spectacular breaching that Joe and I had witnessed in Hamborgerland, was not on deck. We all yelled, 'Sally whale!' But the faint reply came back to us, 'I'm in the loo!'
All this activity lit by warm afternoon sunshine made this a fine introduction to Newfoundland. I think we are going to enjoy our stay.