When we first arrived in Rose Blanche, we were taken by the
scenery. The colourful houses, boats and fishing stages against the blue waters
of the harbour surrounded by rock.
But there's so much more to this town. We've since wandered
the streets, talked to the people, and heard their family histories. The folks
are so friendly and open. Those born and raised here or that married into the
town are just like the rock. Their solid folks, the salt of the earth, their
life is here and they don't plan to leave.
We're concerned for the people though and wonder about the town's future. It appears
there's only a dozen families making a living from the sea. Most people are
retired or maybe semi-retired with a few lobster traps or a line in the water. A
number are commuting to Port aux Basques for work, but there are only a few
young families and almost no kids in the streets.
As the elders pass away, their homes become available as
perfect starter homes for young couples and small families. They're reasonably
priced, in many cases less than $50K. But there are no young people growing
into adulthood to buy them.
However, mainlanders are buying up some of the vacant
houses. The mainlanders change the social dynamics of the town, but, they are
probably a necessary evil. If the town isn't sustainable otherwise, then
they're a blessing in disguise. When speaking with the Islanders, we see the
sense of loss in the their faces, when they reflect on the village of yesterday
compared to today. It's a hard pill for them to swallow. It's those Islanders,
the generations before them, and their lifetimes on the sea that made this town
what it is, give it its character, and quaintness.
The summer season hasn't really started yet, so most houses
owned by mainlanders are not occupied. At a guess, that's probably about 20% of
all the houses here. So the area is quiet. Actually, wonderfully quiet.
The architecture speaks to the town's history. The classic
house before 1920 was the Biscuit Box design. It's a two story with low ceilings,
smaller windows, and some houses are still sided with brightly painted wooden
shingles.
Most of the houses were built before the roads were
developed. So it was a challenge to carve out the roadways with the rough
terrain and the maze of houses. As a result, the streets are narrow and wind
their way up and down and all around. Many
houses don't have much yard or driveway. So by design or lack of design, when
the folks are outside and we walk by, we're in close proximity leading to a
wave, a smile and often a chat. Rose Blanche is all that and more, giving the
village its warmth and unique feel.
We're in love with the place, and have been looking at houses for sale. Rose Blanche is a treasure, and if we saw the right place for the right price, we wouldn't be able to resist.
Click here for the next story in this series:
http://travellingwithsteveandmarlene.blogspot.ca/2017/06/katie-lew-little-blue-cottage-by-sea.html
Click here for the next story in this series:
http://travellingwithsteveandmarlene.blogspot.ca/2017/06/katie-lew-little-blue-cottage-by-sea.html
