Day 34 St. John's

The Horan Family Reunion continues! This morning my cousin Jennifer arranged for us to meet at the Patton Building to view the Royal Newfoundland Regiment display. The display held some familiar stories and had some new things for most of us. The book that they have listing the first 500 Newfoundlanders to go overseas to fight in WWI was open to the page with Grampie’s picture and information. We assumed that had been done because we were coming – we were assured it was a coincidence! Although we had all seen pictures of Grampie in his uniform, none of us has seen a picture of him with his regiment. There was such a shot here and not only did they get it out to show us, they allowed the grandchildren to take it out of its sleeve and have our picture taken with it, in exchange for a picture that they took for their Facebook page! The funniest thing in the display? A kit list that identified the supplies Grampie and his fellow soldiers would have been given. Most everything you might expect to see, except that 1 housewife was on the list? Apparently that was what the standard issue sewing kit was called!

Early afternoon we went to St. Phillip to hike Horan Ridge. The reason it is remembered in the area over the many ridges that dot the landscape it that, back in the day, it was where the ice houses were located. Everyone had to come here to get ice for their iceboxes at Horn (how it was pronounced) Ridge.  The land was expropriated years ago to create the hiking trail but my cousins are working on having a plaque erected on the top of the ridge to share the history and establish the correct spelling! When our great-grandfather immigrated from Tipperary, he was brought over as a velvet cutter – apparently a sought after trade in the day! He had acquired this land but had been discouraged by the priest from settling his family here since there was no Catholic church in the area. They chose instead to settle on the South Side hills and the rest as they say, is history!

There was not an evening event planned today so we went back to my brother’s house and devoured a moose lasagne! He doesn’t ever use beef so everything is laced with delicious moose meat! It may be very tough to go back to regular living and regular diet after this!

Jonathan’s best buddy since forever – Tim Litster and his lovely girlfriend Mackenzie, who was Jonathan’s friend from university, are visiting St. John’s. They are very aware of where we are and what we’ve been doing since Tim (much to Jonathan’s horror) has become a faithful blog follower! Apparently encouraged by his mom, my friend Laura, to read the blog for travel tips, he eventually acquiesced and became an enthusiastic convert! Anyway, they have been texting with Mary-Kate throughout the day and a plan was hatched to meet them tonight on George Street. George Street’s claim to fame is that it boasts the most bars and pubs per square foot of any street in North America! It really is a short little street and has 21 pubs that offer an outstanding assortment of live music. Having checked out the lineup, we actually walk along George Street and stop at Shamrock City (technically on Water Street so not one of the “21 pubs”). Heel ‘n Toe are playing here tonight and my brother assures us that they are the best choice.

He isn’t wrong! From the time they start the party is rocking. They don’t play a single song we don’t know and we clap and stomp and sing along enthusiastically! Since today is Laura’s birthday we took a picture and sent it back home to her. We celebrated in her honour! As I took out the camera to take pictures of us, Tim became very excited! He realized they were going to make the blog! Hilarious! Who knew “making the blog” was a thing! My kids sometimes cringe at the prospect of “making the blog”!! Apparently though, after discovering the blog, Tim reports they would refer to it often in their travels looking for a place to eat or something fun to do. Apparently it also serves as a travel guide! Tim claims that once, in search of a specific meal they read about, they took out their phone and showed the waitress what they wanted! Sounds like a tall tale to me but he wanted to be sure he made the blog and knew it would make a good blog story – that Tim!

Part of the crew hiking Horan Ridge

My Dad's sister, hiked all the way to the top with us! Great genes I tell you!

The hike

At Shamrock City (L-R) David, Andrew, Mackenzie, Tim, me, Mary-Katherine and Michelle

Hanging out on George Street!

Another utility box - this time on Water Street at the east entrance to George Street painted, how else, with musicians!