As you may have read, yesterday’s weather was not what we would call great.

Today has been no better. In fact, I think it’s been worse. The wind has been a lot higher and more constant and the waves have been rolling in a lot harder, too. The rain hasn’t been as hard, but it’s lasted all day with only minor lulls.

In the morning, I still hoped it might clear up, but unlike yesterday, I was under no delusion today that it might really happen.

In any event, I would be going out today.

I have one day left in Waterville and the forecast for tomorrow is no better, so I don’t have enough time to be choosey about the weather.

I had garbage to bring out and there were several things on the Waterville Heritage Trail that I still hadn’t seen and I also wanted to check out the exhibit about the trans-Atlantic telegraph cables at Tech Amergin.

So, when the rain tapered off a bit around noon, I got ready and went out.

I brought the garbage to the disposal site at the community centre first, to get that done. Then I went across the road to the Waterville Cable Station Exhibition.

It was really interesting. Firstly, because of Newfoundland’s connection to the whole Atlantic cable thing. I’ve been to the  site in Heart’s Content, NL that was connected to another cable site near here on Valentia Island. It was neat to be at a site on this side of the Atlantic. And secondly, it was interesting because of where telecommunications are nowadays. It’s a really neat vantage point from which to look at it.

For example, I am writing this on a device the size of a paperback novel and, once I publish it, people all over the world will be able to see it at practically the same time. That is astounding!!

Especially when you think what was involved in getting international cable communication going. The Atlantic is a big place. It’s not just the distance as the crow flies, but also the depth of the ocean. And all the potential threats all along the cable. It’s amazing.

And that technology was state-of-the-art at the time for international communication.

Before that, it was snail mail, which could take weeks or months.

After it came wireless telegraph communication, which was also almost instant, but without the bother, risk and expense of the cables.

And look where we are now!

What will it be in another 100 years?

It’s worth the time every now and then to sit back and appreciate the perspective a reflection on the past gives us.

After the exhibit, the rain had picked up again, but I carried on to the other cable-related spots. They were near Tech Amergin and, as I said, tomorrow’s weather doesn’t promise anything better, so there was no point putting them off.

Two of the three main buildings (the “new” offices and the superintendent’s house) are up for sale. They are lovely stone buildings, but would likely need a lot of capital to make them habitable or useable. It’s a shame, but they will probably stay empty.

The original building is a B&B and restaurant, so it’s at least in use, and the homes that had been built for staff were sold and, I think, are still in use as residential homes today.

With those sites visited, and the fact that I had seen some of the other spots on my other jaunts, the only thing left on the Trail for me to see is the Charlie Chaplin statue.

I’ve actually passed it umpteen times, but never saw it. Even when actually looking for it. I only figured out where it is on one of my night walks, from behind. Of course. Why would I notice it in broad daylight from the front??

Anyway, by the time I finished with the cable-related sites, I was sufficiently drenched (only my legs and a bit of hair that refused to stay inside my hood, thanks to Eddie Bauer!). I didn’t want to go any further to see Charlie today. Instead, as it had been about 5 hours since breakfast, I went to Beachcove Cafe (which was on my way home) for another yummy, albeit late, lunch.

My lunch! I also had some fries (I forgot the salad was included) and a DELICIOUS maple walnut cake.

I had planned on going to The Lobster for supper this evening, and I would go see Charlie then. But it was just too gnarly out there and I couldn’t convince myself to go from cozy and dry to damp, cold and wet again.

So, I’m in for the night. Charlie will just have to wait till tomorrow!!

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Some photos of the bay today. They don’t look as bad as it really was. It got worse this evening, but I didn’t take any pictures then. I snuck these during breaks in the rain. I tried to upload a video, but it didn’t work. You can see then on my Instagram account, though: @heresmeg1111

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