Blogs by Edie M. Batstone
Been To Newfoundland - Got Way More Than The T-Shirt!
8/28/2011 11:49:01 AM
Though we had 'come from away' we felt totally at home as we travelled the beautiful province of Newfoundland.
I’ve finally got some credentials to put after my name. Apparently I’ve had them for the past 41 years and didn’t know it: Edie Batstone, C.F.A. Pretty impressive, eh? It doesn’t stand for ‘Certified Farmer’s Assistant – really! It actually stands for: ‘Come From Away’ – It’s what Newfoundlanders call those of us who have never lived on the Island. My husband and his sister are ‘Tommy Cods’ children of Newfoundlanders, but were born away.
This is just a very small bit of the neat trivia that I picked up on our two-week trip to Newfoundland – I also picked up about 10 extra pounds of weight! It would be hard to match the generosity of those lovely people. Not only do they welcome you with warm hearts and hands, but with heaping plates of the most delicious food. We feasted on cod cakes, fisherman’s brews, fish chowder, traditional boiled dinner, fish and chips, and all of the wonderful trimmings that went with them, including partridgeberry pie! My body is now suffering from ‘fish-withdrawal’!
We encountered spontaneously warm people all of way up the coast from St. John’s to Brigus, Harbour Grace, Lower Island Cove, Dildo, Rocky Harbour, Gros Morne, Cowhead, and Englee; and then back down to Mainbrook and Norris Point; to Nippers Harbour, Springdale, Newtown, Gambo, and back to St. John’s. It was a beautiful blur of amazing scenery and wonderful people. There was little need to stop to ask for directions – people would see your searching gaze and come up to find out where you were from and to offer assistance. Most times this resulted in great conversations. Invariably, there would be a connection with a relative or friend from home; and, uncannily, there seemed to be organic farmers everywhere!
The city of St. John’s has got an atmosphere unlike any that I had encountered before. While it is quite large and has all of the amenities of any other large city, it has retained a home-town feel that is very unique. I have never seen so much colour and character in a city or town: in the homes and museums, B & Bs, basilicas and churches, and shops. Of course there was the inevitable photo op at the film-site of ‘The Republic Of Doyle’ television series, and a great evening of music and laughter at the pubs on George St.
It was ‘Come Home’ celebrations in Englee that brought us to Newfoundland, and the designation of the Barnes House as a heritage museum. This was my mother-in-law’s family home, and we were honoured to be there with my husband’s sister and her husband to take part in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Although I had never set foot in Newfoundland before, we were all welcomed and made to feel very special. The rest of the trip was no less enjoyable, with scenic tour boat rides, where the up-beat crews doubled as talented musicians; and there were visits with wonderful cousins that we had known mostly by name, or from a rare visit.
To get so much out of such a diverse province in just two weeks was thanks to the passion and organizing skills of my sister-in-law, Barb. Onwards, our traveling guru -
and, though I am merely a C.F.A., I would like to pass along the wish for good luck that resounded around us all along the way: ‘long may your big jib draw!’
‘Some folks say cheerio when they wave the hand to you,
The English say goodbye, the French they say adieu;
But when Newfoundlanders part, this wish leaps from the heart:
Long may your big jib draw!’
- Arthur R. Scammell (his complete song is available on youtube)
Post a Comment
More Blogs by Edie M. Batstone
• It's A Real Puzzle! - Friday, May 31, 2024
• Dear Me! - Wednesday, April 24, 2024
• Time to smile - Friday, August 18, 2023
• Ah! love thoseThe Fireflies! - Saturday, July 8, 2023
• Mom's Garden - Monday, May 1, 2023
• The Wave - Wednesday, March 29, 2023
• What's Sleep Got To Do With It?! - Thursday, October 27, 2022
• Climbing The Stairs - Sunday, September 11, 2022
• Ode To My Refrigerator - Friday, June 24, 2022
• The Power of the Music Box - Saturday, April 2, 2022
• Snow Angels - Friday, February 5, 2021
• Ode To The Whittler - Friday, October 2, 2020
• Ode To The Whittler - Friday, October 2, 2020
• A Mousy Meditation - Thursday, June 18, 2020
• Isolation Blues! - Monday, April 27, 2020
• A Calm In The Storm - Monday, March 23, 2020
• Oh, Did Paddy Smile! - Monday, March 9, 2020
• Finding The Light - Sunday, February 2, 2020
• Don't Worry, Be Happy This New Year! - Friday, January 10, 2020
• The Presence Of Love - Wednesday, November 27, 2019
• I've Been Robbed - Yes! - Thursday, October 24, 2019
• Autumn's Call To Rest - Wednesday, September 18, 2019
• All Is Well In The End - Thursday, August 22, 2019
• A Wonder Refill - Wednesday, July 10, 2019
• In Dreams - Be Not Afraid - Friday, March 29, 2019
• A Coat Of Many Colours - Saturday, February 23, 2019
• One More Cup Of Tea - Friday, February 1, 2019
• Leaving Melancholy - Wednesday, January 9, 2019
• Stepping Into Peace - Monday, November 26, 2018
• Just Breathe! - Friday, October 19, 2018
• Michaelangelo And A Little Girl - Friday, September 28, 2018
• A Literary Lull - Thursday, August 23, 2018
• Step 1 - Eat The Frog! - Saturday, July 21, 2018
• For Dad - A Father's Lullaby - Wednesday, June 13, 2018
• It's Mothers' Day - Why Worry! - Wednesday, May 9, 2018
• Homeless Minstrels - Wednesday, April 11, 2018
• The Calm In The Storm - Tuesday, March 6, 2018
• The Dream Train - Sunday, February 18, 2018
• Feel The Sun - Be The Sun! - Friday, January 19, 2018
• Happy New Year! - Wednesday, January 3, 2018
• The Battle Cry - Friday, November 10, 2017
• The Planter - Sunday, October 22, 2017
• A Humble Walk, A Silent Talk - Saturday, September 30, 2017
• Gentleness - Don't You Just Love It! - Tuesday, September 19, 2017
• No Ordinary Thing! - Saturday, September 2, 2017
• Who Am I - In Twenty Minutes?! - Sunday, August 13, 2017
• I Smiled At Someone Today - Monday, July 31, 2017
• Life's Relay Race - Wednesday, July 12, 2017
• As Green As It Gets! - Monday, May 29, 2017
• Spreading Laughter! - Friday, May 5, 2017
• The Zen Of The Biscuit! - Saturday, February 18, 2017
• The Colour Of Sunshine - Tuesday, February 14, 2017
• Much Ado About My To Do List - Wednesday, January 4, 2017
• Home For Remembrance Day - Tuesday, October 18, 2016
• My Ruby Shoes - Monday, August 29, 2016
• Just Call Me Smiley! - Monday, July 11, 2016
• Go Forth - Be Brave, Be Kind. - Saturday, May 14, 2016
• Putting A Spring In My To Do List - Friday, April 1, 2016
• I Am Grateful - Right Now! - Tuesday, March 29, 2016
• In The Aftermath - There Is Love! - Thursday, February 25, 2016
• The Chocolate Chips of Life - Thursday, January 28, 2016
• I Resolve - Monday, January 18, 2016
• This Christmas - I Don't Want Much! - Monday, December 21, 2015
• The Power Of A Quilt! - Monday, November 2, 2015
• Pull On Those Boots! - Monday, October 5, 2015
• Me And My Ski Poles - Saturday, July 25, 2015
• Dad - Just Being Himself! - Tuesday, June 23, 2015
• Digging Out My Wings! - Sunday, June 14, 2015
• A Knock Knock Symphony! - Friday, April 17, 2015
• "I Don't Know How To Love Him." - Friday, April 3, 2015
• Sure and begorrah - That's the Spirit! - Thursday, March 12, 2015
• A Magnificent Obsession - Monday, January 26, 2015
• Merry Christmas! - Monday, December 15, 2014
• Welcome Christmas! - Wednesday, December 3, 2014
• Drop That Rock! - Friday, November 14, 2014
• 'Lest We Remember' - Wednesday, November 12, 2014
• Little Building - Saturday, November 1, 2014
• Counting To Ten! - Thursday, October 9, 2014
• This Old House - Wednesday, August 13, 2014
• Off With Her Hat! - Thursday, June 19, 2014
• Be Not Afraid - You Are A Masterpiece! - Wednesday, May 21, 2014
• Mothers' Day Silliness - Thursday, May 8, 2014
• Spring Is Here? - Monday, March 24, 2014
• Knitting Thoughts - Saturday, January 25, 2014
• Finding Holy Ground - Friday, January 10, 2014
• Baby Pictures - Tuesday, December 17, 2013
• Next Stop: 'Zoomerland'! - Wednesday, October 16, 2013
• The Treasure Seekers! - Wednesday, July 3, 2013
• Thank You For The Dreams Dad! - Sunday, June 16, 2013
• A Great Big Warm 'Boot To The Head'! - Wednesday, May 29, 2013
• Walk With Me - Fly For Me! - Saturday, April 20, 2013
• If I Were Twenty Years Younger! - Saturday, April 13, 2013
• Where The Wind Blows! - Saturday, March 23, 2013
• A Valentine Sonnet - Thursday, February 14, 2013
• My Roof's Got A Hole In It - Saturday, January 26, 2013
• Wait Training 101 - Saturday, January 5, 2013
• Merry Christmas To All And To All A GOOD LIGHT - Friday, December 21, 2012
• In The Arms Of Christmas - Tuesday, November 27, 2012
• Hope For A Precious Child - Wednesday, November 7, 2012
• Happiness Can Be Tricky! - Wednesday, September 26, 2012
• Sign, Sign, Everywhere Sign - Wednesday, August 15, 2012
• Housework Or Heartwork! - Wednesday, July 25, 2012
• Wheee! I'm Riding! - Thursday, July 19, 2012
• Reading In The Garden - Monday, July 16, 2012
• The Strongest Man In The World! - Monday, June 25, 2012
• Time Travel! - Friday, May 25, 2012
• Dr. Seuss's Teapot! - Wednesday, April 25, 2012
• Love That Bluegrass! - Sunday, April 15, 2012
• An Easter Walk - Friday, April 6, 2012
• Mom's Dahlias - Tuesday, March 6, 2012
• Still Climbing! - Monday, February 13, 2012
• Someone Open A Window! - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
• Chill, Papa Joe! - Saturday, January 14, 2012
• Let The Games Begin! - Thursday, January 12, 2012
• All Is Calm - Or Not! - Thursday, December 29, 2011
• Plant Seeds Of Hope This Christmas! - Wednesday, December 7, 2011
• Something Fishy In The Air! - Wednesday, November 9, 2011
• Tinker Bell's Mom! - Tuesday, October 25, 2011
• Roofers' Rap - Thursday, October 13, 2011
• Hope - Bring It On! - Thursday, October 6, 2011
• My Christmas List - Monday, September 26, 2011
• Hold That Thought! - Saturday, September 3, 2011
• Been To Newfoundland - Got Way More Than The T-Shirt! - Sunday, August 28, 2011
• I Found A Pearl! - Monday, July 25, 2011
• Me And Pepe! - Wednesday, June 15, 2011
• Hand To Mouth - Monday, May 23, 2011
• Dear God, I'm Afraid! - Thursday, May 12, 2011
• Write It Down! - Thursday, May 5, 2011
• Twirl With Me! - Wednesday, April 27, 2011
• What's The Word? - Saturday, April 23, 2011
• Talking To My Plants! - Monday, April 18, 2011
• Kidding Around - Wednesday, April 13, 2011
• Disconnected! - Monday, April 11, 2011
• Who Do You Think You Are - In Twenty Minutes?! - Friday, April 8, 2011
• Crap Happy! - Saturday, April 2, 2011
• Top O' The Morning, Afternoon, and Evening - Thursday, March 17, 2011
• Eva Cassidy's Beauty Lives On! - Wednesday, March 9, 2011
• I'm Melting! - Saturday, March 5, 2011
|
