Category: Daily Blog

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Early Icebergs?

According to The Telegram, some icebergs have already been sighted just north of St. John’s, making for an early start to the season. To which I say: Bring It On! I’ve been anxiously awaiting the summer now that we (and all our guests) have front row seats to all the ocean’s creatures – whales, sea birds, and yes, icebergs.

These pictures are a few years old and taken just outside St. John’s – still very cool, but all I can show you until I take some in Whiteway (stay tuned). That handsome (???) man in the bottom picture is my brother, Ron. He’ll be spending some time visiting us this summer – something else to look forward to.

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Jack Loved Spring; I Love Spring

Spring is sprung
Da grass is riz
I wonder where them boidies iz
Da little boids is on da wing
Ain’t dat absoid
Da little wings is on da boid
By: well-known poet Anonymous

This is a song that my beloved (which is too weak a word to describe how loved and admired he truly was) brother, Jack, used to sing all the time. It is especially poignant now in the first days of Spring. I always liked it. Jack loved the woods and the outdoors and angling for salmon – a true Newfoundlander. This great and natural picture of him is one of my favourites, and one of the ways I like to remember him.

He always was and still is my GPS – only the signal comes from a different satellite these days.

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STJ Day

Although I now hate to leave Whiteway, who can complain about coming back to St. John’s, this ancient city – and hiker’s paradise. I can’t wait til the weather gets a little warmer and we can hit the famous East Coast Trail. These shots are from the Signal Hill area.

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I Float

This picture was taken in St. Pierre and Miquelon, French islands off the coast of southern Newfoundland. My first trip there was only a few years ago (I’ve been back several times), and I couldn’t believe I had been missing out (on all the croissants and red wine!) all these years. It truly is a beautiful place with a great European feel. Anyone with extended time touring the province might want to consider making the extra trip. It takes about an hour on the ferry to get there from Fortune, Newfoundland, which is about a 4 hour drive from our cottages, or you can take an airplane from St. John’s.

Here I am on my first visit, on a day trip to the Ile aux Marins. The tour guide said the translation of “Fluctuat Nec Mergitur” was “I float; I do not sink.” This felt like this could have been my personal motto, so I posed for the shot. Wikipedia has since informed me this phrase is the motto of Paris, and that the direct translation is “He who rises with the wave is not swallowed with it.” Both are profound, and, I hope, a reflection on how I have tried to live my life.

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Presence of Absence

It was so great to be out in the community this past Friday, supporting local art and new friend, Clifford George, at his Presence of Absence exhibit at the Christina Parker Gallery in St. John’s. We tried to buy a few pieces but they had already been scooped up – and no wonder. Above is the artist himself, looking dapper, with Christina Parker and Nicola Hawkins, an artist with an exhibit at The Rooms until April 15. Check out some more shots of the evening, and remember, Clifford’s exhibit will be at the gallery until April 7th.

Action shot.

Boyd Chubbs performs.

 

John Warren gives a recitation.

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Church Day: Twillingate’s St. Peter’s Anglican Church

Newfoundland is a road-trippers’ paradise, with countless little towns dotting our bays, all with their own unique history and beautiful landscapes, and, most often, their own churches. And since I have been lucky enough to have visited virtually every corner of this island throughout my life, I thought a Sunday series of church photos showcasing different communities might be interesting (and, make for a light blogging day on the Sabbath for me!).

So I’m starting with St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Twillingate. And nearby, here are some graveyard shots that I think are an excellent example of how Newfoundlanders have quite literally carved our lives into the rocky cliffs. Stunning!

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Paddy’s Day Pleasures: 2 Ways

We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in two distinct ways – not sure which one we enjoyed most. The first was in Whiteway:

On Thursday night, Laurelyn, her daughter, Rebecca, and I celebrated an early St. Patrick’s Day with a Scoff & Scuff at the local rec centre, $5 for all-you-can-eat Jigg’s Dinner (I had two plate-fulls) and $3 a drink (lets just say I had more than one).

We had a few dances, listened to some great live music by local talent, Five Atlantic, and mingled with our new neighbours. And we were home by 9 – with enough time to finish the night off with a movie. A very sane way to spend the evening, indeed – with no hangovers the next morning.

The second Paddy’s Day celebration was in St. John’s this morning:

Here we are enjoying brunch and dancing at Bridie Molloy’s in downtown St. John’s. I hope your celebrations were equally fun and varied! Which of these two appeals most to you? I’d have a hard time choosing!

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Come out for Clifford

From March 16 – April 7, Whiteway’s own Clifford George will be displaying his work in an exhibition entitled “Presence of Absence” at the Christina Parker Gallery in St. John’s. If you’re in the area, you should head over to the opening reception tonight, from 5:30-8:00, where there will be live music from Boyd Chubbs and Charlie Crocker, and a recitation from John Warren. Clifford will be in attendance. So much Newfoundland talent in one space!

We’ll be there tonight, then heading to O’Reillys for some Paddy’s Day green.

We’re lucky to have met Clifford and his wife, Shirley, since moving out here. They are truly good, welcoming people, and we’re lucky to call them friends. They even offered to help us with our Valentine’s Day Special by taking guests out on a sleigh ride (video here).

Clifford’s brother, Wayne George, is also a noted artist and sells wonderful items at his store, Shag Rock Arts & Crafts, a quick ride from the cottages. You can see some of his lovely items for sale here.

And just in case a fancy art exhibit sounds too intimidating, believe me: Clifford is a salt-of-the earth guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously! (not sure of the context one this one!)

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First Marshmallow Roast of 2012

Laurelyn’s daughter is in town (or wait, do I need to say, ‘around the bay’ now?) and we’re making the most of it – last night with a bonfire and roasted marshmallows. It was such a calm, beautiful day in Whiteway and the evening was just the same. A great reminder that we don’t need to wait til summer for summertime pleasures – the beach is always there and waiting for you to take advantage, no matter the season. I’m glad that last night we did! Check out some more of our shots:

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Cats and Quilts

As I’ve spoken of before, we’re redecorating the cabins, making them our ‘own.’ It’s been fun for me, and especially fun for the Berry (Laurelyn). And even more fun now that her daughter, Rebecca, has spent the past week visiting us from Ontario, and the two have been hard at work.

Rebecca brought home a pillowcase for the Cranberry Suite – it’s brand new, but helps give a vintage-y feeling. As soon as the bed was made, Molly jumped on and made it her own. She thinks she’s made a new friend.

One of the things tourists (and Newfoundlanders, for that matter) love about this province are our beautiful handmade quilts. The province is dotted with stores selling quilting supplies and sometimes finished items, like the Piece Makers in Conception Bay (just outside St. John’s). For some really stunning work, check out the work of artist Vicky Taylor-Hood, whose work is available at the Devon House in downtown St. John’s – a store not to be missed on any visit to the city. Happy Quilting!

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