L’Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada

 September 6, 2024

Located on the northernmost tip of Canada’s Newfoundland, L’Anse Aux Meadows is the site of the first Norse settlement in the Americas. Leif Eriksson’s voyage here from Greenland in the late 10th century predated Columbus by 500 years. It was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The site was originally uncovered when a resident of this small fishing village pointed out a series of mounds in the earth that he and his neighbors had always believed to be an ancient Native American camp. It turned out to be amazing evidence of the vikings having been here, with dwellings that were constructed of wood with a sod roof. It has become a great insight into the day to day lives of the Vikings. It is believed that this area was occupied with a sizeable Norse settlement around the year 1000 AD. While here, they explored this area which was rich in resources, perhaps traveling back and forth to Greenland and Iceland.

We anchored out and will be tendered ashore. Added a few more layers today; however, the weather continues to be amazing - sunny with a bit more of a breeze, but we are on the coast at this point. Beautiful morning sun greeted us as we arrived at our anchor point.

We tendered in and were met by school buses which took us to the visitor center. From there we were able to walk along an extended boardwalk which took us first to the dig site, which included a replicated home with actors dressed as Vikings passing the time of day. They did stay in character. 

Park Service guides along the way pointed out the various dig sites where houses would have stood (you can see the impressions and shapes in the grassy area) and talked about some of the items they have found which enabled them to understand what each building may have been used for (i.e. sleeping and eating and cooking, ship repair, furnace or smelter hut) It is believed when the Vikings left this area, they burned the buildings down. Maybe they didn’t want anyone else living in them. They do continue to excavate this area.

And then the recreated homes with sod and peat and wood.

Inside, where there was communal living, a bed; plus Ed trying to look threatening with helmet and sword - doesn’t look scary to me 😂

In this small community, far away from any big city, you can even charge your Tesla!!!! Tim - drive on over!!

We continued to the next area, called Norstead, A Viking Port, where they have recreated a Viking village. Plus there is on display a replica of a Viking boat that had been found 60% (not here) called the Snorri. This replica boat was then sailed in 1998 from Greenland to L’Anse aux Meadows taking some 89 days. It is said that Leif Erickson made that trip in only 15-20 days; of course he had more men in the boat who were well trained as sailors and rowers. Amazing the craftsmanship these Vikings possessed.

Before we left this recreated village we ran into Lady Albruna, the Viking Village Wise Woman & Welsh gweledyd.  She did my reading using Old Norse Runes and Welso Tellstones.  I had to pick three of them, each one representing either the past, present, and future. My past was represented by Thor, who has been my protector. My present is represented by People - perhaps the crew of the ship and the people sailing with us who are taking good care of me. My future represents the gods and my ancestors who are looking after me from beyond. Nice lady who also gave me her email address as she loves to hear from people, especially during the winter months when it gets pretty quiet up there.

The Monarch butterflies are migrating and there were lots of them in this area - so beautiful.

We returned to the ship, had lunch, and then realized how tired we were from all the walking and information we had taken in. I worked on my blog and Ed sat down on the balcony to write in his journal - you can see what happened then - he was dreaming he was on a Viking raid 🙄

As we sailed away from L’Anse aux Meadows, the fog started rolling in creating an eerie sea. It’s still a bit foggy tonight; however, the weather ahead still looks good. Sorry for the extra long blog. Good night… Betsy