Olympic Flame reaches one of North America’s oldest British settlements

CARBONEAR, N.L. — Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through one of the oldest British settlements in North America on Saturday as they visited several communities on a trek across Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula.

The glare of the morning sun kept spectators squinting into the distance as Day 16 of the Olympic torch relay got underway.

The relay started Saturday in the community of Carbonear, a scenic former fishing community of about 5,000 people, that’s hugged by the North Atlantic and located about an hour outside St. John’s, N.L.

It travelled through Harbour Grace and later Bay Roberts, where several children stood outside an arena in their hockey gear as the flame passed by.

Locals with a flag in one hand, a warm beverage in the other and a camera around their neck, hugged the edges of the street.

The flame was greeted by more than a hundred people at the shores of Cupids, where tall trees cast long shadows and a light breeze blew in from the North Atlantic.

The town, which was settled in 1610 by John Guy, is the oldest British colony in Canada, and the second oldest in North America.

It will celebrate its 400th anniversary next summer.

Torchbearer Dawn Rogowski, who delivered the fire to Cupids’ active archeological dig site, called the experience an emotional one.

“It’s more than expected. I’m so proud to be Canadian right now.”

In 1610, a group of pioneers established Canada’s first English settlement at what they called Cuper’s Cove, now Cupids.

The community has seen its fair share of notable visitors over the past month.

Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, made the picturesque town one of the first stops on their 11-Day Canadian tour.

Fifteen-year-old Seamus Boyd-Porter of St. John’s, N.L., took over torch duties in nearby Brigus. He carried the flame to the dark of the Brigus tunnel, which runs 24 metres to the water’s edge. It was hand-blasted in 1860 to provide unhindered access to the Bartlett wharf, as the shorelines would be crowded with boats at the time.

Cory Gregory, 39, ran with his wife and two young children by his side to the end of the line in Brigus.Gregory said it was an amazing experience to be share with his family.

“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The last time it happened in Canada was 20 years ago, so the next time it happens I’ll hopefully be retired.”

The flame then took to the Trans-Canada Highway, as the Olympic crew headed for Clarenville.

Crowds of close to a thousand people took part in a lively community celebration on the parking lot of the town’s recreation centre. Local cross-country skier Harry O’Gay rushed the torch onto the stage amid applause.

The relay will travel further into the heart of the province as the flame makes its way to Grand Falls-Windsor.

The torch began its journey across Canada on Oct. 30 in Victoria.

The relay, a little more than 100 days in length, will see the torch carried into 1,000 communities, travelling 45,000 kilometres, before it reaches its final destination, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, on Feb. 12, 2010.