Newfoundland
My son and his family lived in Newfoundland for nineteen years, in Grand Falls, Harbour Breton, Stephenville, St. Anthony and Port aux Basques. During that time, I visited them often – I have two grandchildren, do I need to say more. I was invited into people’s homes, explored each place, and took the coastal boats to some of the outports. I love Newfoundland. Despite the cod fishery moratorium, the people have a special quality, and the landscape is spectacular.
 Bunchberry |
 Quirpon Island |
 The Barrens |
I’ve canoed, kayaked, hiked, snowmobiled, visited offshore islands, stayed in outports (some of them now closed), climbed Gros Morne, gawked at the cliffs in Western Brook Pond, eaten scallops and mussels fresh from the ocean, and been screeched in on The Northern Ranger, the freight boat that went from St. Anthony to Nain in Labrador. Oh, and I stayed on Quirpon Island in the lighthouse keeper’s house. Yep, it’s been a prolonged love affair.
 coming in to land |
 three guesses |
 the barrens |
So when my grandson asked me to write him a book, it seemed natural to set it in Newfoundland – northern Newfoundland, in an imaginary community on the ocean.
 on the beach… |
 Fish shacks |
My family now lives 25 minutes up the road from me, in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. This is truly wonderful. But I’ve already been back to Newfoundland once since they moved…
