A story and article about a most interesting visitor to our province this summer. My wife and I had the privilege of meeting Bernie and Polly in late July at, of all places, the Gaff Topsails. They spent the night bunked down in his tent and Polly just outside, keeping a wary eye on her master. I think your readers will enjoy this one.
 

Polly is not a parrot but rather a 365-kilogram mule, who together with her partner, Bernie Harberts, are on yet another adventure. On July 23rd they arrived on the Gaff Topsails and ended up camping out in front of several cabins at the Gaff.

Polly is hauling a small well-balanced Amish-style cart or buggy complete with a small stove and stove pipe at the rear. Bernie gives the occasional reined direction while walking alongside her most of the way.

Bernie said, “It only makes sense that a sailor who owned a gaff–rigged ketch would visit the Gaff Topsails. But with a mule. Then again, travelling through NL with a mule is a folly, so why not give it a nautical twist?”

“Mule Polly and I departed North Carolina in early June via truck and trailer. Hitched Polly to my cart in L’Anse aux Meadows mid-June and one and a half months later here we are,” Bernie wrote in Floyd and Betty Spracklin’s journal at the Gaff.

Bernie and Polly quickly make friends with anyone they meet. They normally travel 15 kilometers per day, sometimes taking a one- to two-day rest in spite of the protective rubber boots Polly wears while plodding along the crushed granite Trailway stones.

Their layover routine involves choosing an area that is well-stocked with Polly’s food - grass and such. Bernie unhitches her, takes off her boots, attaches a 15-meter tether to one of her feet, and then hauls a mask, which acts as a mosquito net over her head to protect her from the evening flies. Next Bernie sets up a Colorado teepee and moves in his gear. Finally, Bernie searches out a water supply to fill two buckets for Polly’s drinking pleasure.

Bernie and Polly really have no objective in mind - just one segment of the trip at a time. Maybe Badger, perhaps Grand Falls, and then who knows? All Polly cares about is having her trusted companion always in sight, some fresh grass to mow and a few oats. And if you’re fortunate to run into these two travellers, keep in mind that Polly also loves apples, bananas, peel and all, and fresh bread and molasses!

To learn more about Bernie and Polly, visit www.riverearth.com   Submitted By: NULL