(click here to find Black Duck Brook, Winter Houses on the map)
On the Port-au port Peninsula, Route 463 takes you up to the northern coast of the peninsula. As you enter Lourdes Route 463 is called Main Street. When you come to the post office you will turn north onto Clam Bank Cove Road. You will think you are entering the parking lot of the school, but you will find your way once you crest the hill.
Winter Houses (Maison d' Hiver) is a low coastal area. The beach stones in this area are unusual, reds and oranges. It is really hard to imagine that this area was forested at one time, providing additional shelter in the winter. As you approach the community the road will veer to the right. Go straight here towards the cemetery and the school house. The site of the school house is on what is now a wide open plain. Notice how few windows the building has.
The school house is the last one room school left in Western Newfoundland. Our Lady of Perpetual Help school has been restored and is now a small museum.
When you get back onto the road continue further on to reach Black Duck Brook (L'Anse a Canards). Since turning on to Clam Bank Cove Road you have been driving up a narrowing peninsula. If you continue to drive past Black Duck Brook you will drive to Blue Beach and Long Point. This is a place to bird watch for Arctic Terns.
Warning; the road past Black Brook Pond is rough gravel..real potholes. Even with a pick up truck we did not risk the drive because of how isolated we were and the time of day. From Black Duck Brook you would be travelling almost 13 km one way. At least it would be the flattest drive in Newfoundland.
(click photos to enlarge, click caption for mapped location)
