Writers Corner
What Is Your Direction?
Does It Include Placentia?
Visit Placentia, Newfoundland! Come and see a river that flows in two directions. The Orcan River changes direction and height about every six hours because of tidal action. Also changing directions is the Placentia Lift Bridge, the only one of its kind in the province. It raises and lowers as fishing boats go in and out of the harbour. Placentia has always changed directions; it was the French capital, but later became English and then mostly Irish.
During the tourist season, you too can change directions by leaving the present and visiting the past at Castle Hill National Park, archaeological digs, local museums, guided historic tours and heritage theatre. In the surrounding area, there is the Atlantic Charter Monument in Ship Harbor and in Cuslett there are plays that help us remember our Irish roots.
To return to the present, walk our boardwalk, experience hiking trails, attend festivals, garden parties, sports and other events or visit the nearby Cape St. Mary’s Bird Sanctuary on the scenic Cape Shore. In another direction, visit the nearby Cataracts, the Rocky River Fishway and the Salmonier Nature Park, plus picturesque fishing communities.
Head now for Placentia, the ancient French capital, and don’t change your direction...at least until you get here!
T. V. O’Keefe