Dennis Baker shared these pictures from Sou’west Brook, just outside Snook’s Harbour. The bridge in the picture is being replaced by culverts, and for some reason this stirred up many childhood memories for many of us, me included.
Sou’west or Southwest Brook is closer to Snook’s Harbour than Apsey Brook, but most of us have walked over it, under it, and through it many many times over the years. As well as spending time out on the beach, just walking around shore, trying to catch a twillick, or digging Cocks & Hens.
It’s probably the last of these style bridges remaining on the island. When I was a boy, the main bridge in Apsey Brook was also the same style. I don’t recall if the one in Sou’west brook had any railings, but there were wooden railings around the one over Apsey Brook, as well as around its twin which was nearer the beach on the road leading down from Roy’s that ran over to Ross’s and along by the family mill. Many many years ago, trucks would come down over that road and buy lumber from Uncle Luther.
Many hours were spent hanging around the bridges, catching trout, wading on the creosote timbers, or playing in the many ways our imaginations led us. One bridge memory leads into another, from walking in the brook to Island Pond, to making turpentine engines on mill strips in the brook near the mill. From the “Big Rock” that was underwater at high tide, but could be walked to on the sand when it was low.
It was always so cool under these bridges, a welcome relief on hot summer days, and you always kinda felt like you were sharing a secret when hidden there and a car drove over.
Another little part of our childhood is gone, and all we have are memories and experiences no other generation will get to have.
I can smell the creosote baking in the sun even now.
Raised in outport Newfoundland in a town of 65 people, I pursued a post secondary diploma in Information Technology right out of High School.
I’ve always been a geek at heart, but yet I love the rural life I grew up with. Fishing, hunting, camping and the great outdoors are still loves of mine, even if I don’t pursue them as often as I once did. Sports were always a big part of our lives, and I played many (badly) and loved them all.
