Last night I had dinner with Marah in St John’s. As we drove along the waterfront, she pointed out a very impressive super yacht tied to the pier. Apparently J.K.Rowling travels well with friends!
Newfoundland has its own funny time zone. It is Atlantic time plus 30 minutes so I didn’t get much sleep. I was picked up for my trip to the airport at 6:30a. The ride took about 10 minutes. No traffic on Sunday and the traffic lights weren’t working either. The airport was very quiet. I planned to carry on my bags. But I couldn’t make it through security with my liquids. Apparently since this airport doesn’t have class 1 screening, there is a limit to any liquid, cream or spreadable item, including toothpaste. My choice was to throw out stuff or just check the bag. That was easy. This is a non stop flight. They charge $46 Canadian to check a bag which was clearly a better deal than tossing stuff I actually need and probably can’t replace in the hinterland of St Anthony.
Waiting at the little bar cafe near my gate, I was the only person drinking coffee. The guys were having beer with breakfast. They probably knew that the coffee was pretty awful. But beer is not my thing most of the time and not for breakfast any time.
The flight was about 90 minutes. Moya texted me to tell me that they wouldn’t get to St Anthony today. Unfortunately, I had just canceled my room but Marah had suggested air bnb which worked and was cheaper.
Tony picked me up at the airport (no feather in evidence). As he drove me into town, I asked him how available he was today. It turns out he has several relatives visiting who he hasn’t seen recently. So he gave me a tour of the Main Street which rings the harbor, the mall (pictured below) along with a few highlights.
There is a Grenfell house, museum, and hospital named for the Dr who brought medical care and religion to this very distant outpost.
There had been no doctor anywhere in this northern area and great poverty. Grenfell treated the people and raised money for their benefit for clothing, health care, and housing. The mission he established had worldwide reach for fundraising while he was alive.
Tony kept my luggage. I asked to be dropped off at the museum. It’s an interesting spot that recounts the story of Dr Grenfell and his mission. He had many wops(workers without pay) who came to help build and care for people in the area in the early 1900’s.
I walked down the road to find lunch. In a small town, Sunday lunch spots are limited. My choices were pizza or a chicken shack. I decided that pizza might be a good choice. It turns out that the restaurant is Indian influenced so my “pizza wrap” sandwich was on naan. The filling was shaved spicy beef and salad. Luckily I wasn’t very hungry and it was easy to eat the inside with a fork. I did get a beer because that’s the drink in Canada and it goes well with pizza, even weird pizza!
Now for the afternoon entertainment. A dollar store looks interesting even though I don’t have room to buy anything. Perhaps food town market will entertain. Soon I can check into my room and then wander the streets on the other side of the harbor.
Tony called to pick me up just as I was finishing my beer. He said his wife wanted to meet me. We ended up having a nice afternoon after I dropped off my bags at my “cottage”. I saw a bit more of the harbor and other spots. I asked Carole and Tony to join me for dinner at the lighthouse cafe. Ultimately Carole came and Tony stayed home. I found out they had eaten roast beef for Sunday dinner, so another meal was not for Tony. Carole and I had some fun discussing native plants. She had worked as a lab technician at the hospital so we could talk a bit about medicine.
Carole and I had dinner which for me was the excellent cod that you find here and nowhere else. Since my B&B doesn’t make breakfast, Carole and Tony gave me bread, butter jam milk and blueberry pie! What nice people.
I can’t be sure that Moya will get here tomorrow. So I have a tentative reservation at a place in town that is very close to Carole and Tony. I will know more later. I feel like I am taking advantage of them but Tony assured me that this is his norm for visitors.
I am back at my room and ready for a quiet rainy evening. Weather looks better tomorrow 🤞
The Adventures of Anne 