Viking Settlement and Viking Feast-Day 25, July 15 St. Anthony, NL

https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/top-destinations/lanse-aux-meadows

We arrived early in the morning for a guided tour of the L’Anse Aux Meadows Viking site. It is located at the northernmost tip of Newfoundland. Evidence that there of a settlement here was found when the “mounds” that were left from the viking homes were excavated for artifacts. Many things were found. Slowly the pieces were put together and sure enough there had been a settlement there 1000 years ago. It is believed that Leif Erikson was one of the Vikings that lived here with his family. He was the first European to have set foot on the continental North America before Christopher Columbus.

Sculpture of a ship front
Our friends on the tour. We are waiting for the video about the Vikings.
SNOW!
The iron fire sculpture marks where the aborginal people had fires (campsites)
Fresh water
Hard to see the indentations – Viking home utlines
Leif Erikson’s home site.
Hello Robin!

Let me tell you it was F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G today! Yes, that is snow still on the ground! Our tour guide told us that this site was selected most likely because of the fishing.

In the Viking community, if you were wearing bright colors that meant you were wealthy. Blacksmith’s were usually wealthy since they were needed in the community by everyone. The only problem was that they didn’t live too long. A lot of them died from black lung from breathing in all the smoke from the fires.

Zoom Zoom is helping the blacksmith by using the bellows to stoke the fire. The hotter the fire then the blacksmith can heat the iron to forge it into whatever he needs to make. Today, the wood was “green” and wouldn’t get hot enough for the iron to get red hot.

Things the blacksmith has made – S-hooks, nails and a knife
Zoom Zoom using the bellows.

This house would house most of the Vikings – up to about 30 total. They would sleep around the fire that was in the center of the room. Cooking would happen in this main room too. Next door there might be a craft room where the women would make yarn from the sheep’s wool and then use the yarn to make all kinds of clothing.

House built with peat bricks.
One central gathering place.
She is making flat bread.
Rocks for weights on the loom.
Indoor plumbing – chamber pot!
Children’s toys
The guy was frolicking in the mud! He was having a blast. 🙂
Carved art
Beautiful art on the rock
Viking boat.
Made from dyed sheep wool spun into yarn. Used to barter with.
Wool from sheep.
Leader’s bed
Don’t forget to say your prayers!

At tonight’s Viking Feast we were treated to some traditional foods that would be eaten by the Vikings 1,000 years ago. For starters, we had Breaded Cod Tongue and Salted Capelins. Let me tell you I’d eat a million Cods’ tongues over those salted Capelin any day! The tongues were – chewy. If we had ranch dressing to dip them in, they would have been even better. The Salted Capelin – YUCK! Zoom Zoom took a big bite off one and ate the head. I think if we hadn’t been in mixed company he would have certainly spit it out ASAP! Oh man, I took an ant bites worth and thought I’d puke! I tried to drink some of Dave’s beer to get the taste out of my mouth. Never again! I don’t know how they ever ate those then or even now!.

Caplin and breaded Cod tongue
Dave eating breaded Cod tongue.
Before Zoom Zoom bites the capelin’s head!
Already knows it’s a mistake!.

Then we were invited to go up to a buffet and get our own food. They had, Moose Stew, Jig’s Dinner, Garden Salad, Fish and Brewis, Baked Beans, Roast Beef, Shrimp Fried Rice and Rolls. I didn’t eat the Moose Stew, Shrimp Fried Rice or rolls. Everything else was delicious! We had eaten Moose Stew a few nights before. I wasn’t a big fan. Probably because they put turnips and rutabaga in it. The moose tastes just like beef. That didn’t turn me off.

Moose stew from a different night – no need to try it again.
My plate – salad, mixed veggies (Jiggs Dinner), roast beef, fish and brewis
Zoom Zoom – salad, rolls, shrimp r fried rice, roast beef , Jig’s dinner , potatoes
Zoom Zoom ‘s baked beans – pray for me! PWRFFF

For dessert, they brought us this scrumptious cake called Rhubarb Rumble. It had fresh whipped cream on it, too.

After dinner there was some entertainment by the cast and then they held “Court.” We could bring forth any “issue” we thought should be heard from by the court to be ruled on. I really had an issue I needed to have heard! I was called up first to have my case heard. Poor Zoom Zoom. I pled my case and I won!

Pleading my case before the court.

Here’s the case-When Zoom Zoom clips his toenails he doesn’t clean up after himself. He leaves the toenail shards around. Now these shards are sharp and can draw blood if I step on one at just the “right” angle. Also, I have been putting up with this behavior for the past 38 years! All I need for him to do is sweep up his toenails when he finishes clipping them. They called Jeff up to see if he had anything to rebut against what I said, and Zoom Zoom chose not to incriminate himself. The “council” (audience) voted and found him guilty of leaving said shards on the floor causing bodily damage to me. His punishment – bondage with the stinky rope! Two of the cast come out with this thick rope and wrapped it around Zoom Zoom. Then they made him dance a jig. Zoom Zoom was such a good sport!