PUBLIC SERVICE NOTICE FROM THE ROCK!

I INTERRUPT THIS BLOG TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY IN POSTING. WIFI HAS BEEN SPOTTY . . . CATCHING UP TODAY AND TOMORROW!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!! XO

Day Four . . . Get Stuffed!

Friday, Aug 8/14

I am going to suggest that a visit to Change Islands would be incomplete without a send off in the form of a Jigg's Dinner, as authentic and traditional a Newfoundland meal as you can find. Wendy began preparing ours 24 hrs before the curtain rose on supper, so it seems fitting to begin and end today's post with this feast:
I have to admit I was suspicious. Roast chicken, salt meat (pulled from a bucket behind the counter at the general store - seriously), greens, root veggies - so far so good - but then she mentioned peas!! Man, how far do I have to travel to avoid them? Luckily, these are not the green monsters, but are yellow split peas, soaked, bagged, cooked in the salt meat broth, and turned into peas pudding. OK, we will see . . .
So, while we waited for Jigg's to take centre stage, we managed to put in another Islands day:

• Cod fishing Take Two - Dave, Pam, Sandra and Lloyd took to the sea with Ivan, pulling in 43 lbs of cod!! Dave pulled a Moby Cod from the water and has been crowned Cod King for the day. 
• Wendy led the mainlanders on the rocky and scenic Squid Jiggers Trail. Sandy and Nancy loved it so much they also did it in reverse, or as Lloyd's mom would say "fore and back". I personally believe that kind of excess is a form of gluttony and therefore a sin.
• I skipped the trials of the trail, but had my own grand adventure with the Newfoundland ponies and Netta, their stalwart champion and protector. I was convinced my days were done when I wandered into their pasture and realized the wild stallion was off his lead and headed my way, snorting and throwing his mane. Ok, his name is Charlie and he was as docile as an old hound dog - but I had bread in my pocket and I was certain that would throw Charlie into a frenzy. Netta arrived just in time to save me . . . from being licked to death. A little embarrassing to be caught frozen in fear, but I think  Netta has seen it all. She only laughed at me when I wandered into a hillside of stinging nettle - these were not my finest moments.
• We happy houred in the shed before supper - enjoyed the view and the company - and started the countdown to Sandy's birthday!

Jigg's arrived and did not disappoint - what a meal!! The smells that had permeated the house through the day were translated into mile high plates of fantastic flavour . . . and the peas pudding was delicious!!!

Our crowd favourites from Friday:

Nancy: The variety and impressive scenery of the Trail - through the woods, across the bogs, up the rocky cliffs.
Sandy: Definitelt the hike through the trail - admiring the rocky beauty of the Change island coastline . . . and getting my first of MANY birthday gifts  - from Wendy - woolen mitts and hot pepper jelley!!
Wendy: Pulling the great escape - ran off for a visit with Geraldine while the cousins cleaned up after Jigg's dinner.
Lloyd: .Sandra beat me at crib again today. Close . . . really close . . . but no cigar.
Dave: I  love a mystery so I loved the day.. How was it that all the big cod were attracted to my hook?I am perplexed and loving it.
Pam:Riding the waves and walking the trails - specifically the Squid-Jiggers' Trail.
Wes: Simply the hospitality of Wendy Jon & Lloyd.......Jigg's dinner never tasted so good!!
Sandra: Wes and I took a drive before supper and I saw the ice burgs from different and closer vantage points - breathtaking! And of course - Charlie!

Tomorrow - off to Bonavista!!

 



 

 

 

Day Three . . . How to Gut a Cod (and a card shark)!

      
 Thursday, Aug 7/14

What an awesome day of simple pleasure and adventure!
The start of this day brought back wonderful memories of my grandparents' camp on the St. John River - people straggling into the kitchen in the cool early morning, following their noses to the coffee pot. There is something so warm and soothing about being surrounded by people you love in the cocoon of a camp. Can't say it enough - grateful and happy we finally checked this item on the list!
The keeper of Change Islands weather knew we needed a break today. The weather has cooled off and the clouds and drizzle visited just enough to keep us close to home (and couch) in the p.m. But the morning was filled with adventure:

• Pam, Sandy, and Nancy took an early morning hike (just a little warm up - sure, if your main event is the Appalachian Trail!)
• Lloyd introduced Wes and me to the general store, a wonder of a place where you can find everything from split peas (oops, not today) to corkscrews to full fishing gear. The kindly woman at the counter thought it strange when I stuttered out "P-p-p-p-puffed sleeves, please." For you non Anne of Green Gables folks, that is a reference to Matthew, shy, but determined to buy a new dress for Anne.
• Nancy, Sandy, Wes, and Wendy went out with Ivan - hunted ice burgs and cod. Check out their recounting in "favourite things" and enjoy Wendy's photos below.
• Pam and Dave headed back out on stroll #2, visiting the Interpretation Centre, then walked a little faster on the way back after hearing that one of the boats had lost their way in the fog with no GPS (no worries, not our adventurers, and all was fine).
• Lloyd and I played a friendly game of crib, but enough about that, no need to brag . . . 

I WON, HE LOST

Sorry, that just slipped out.

We relaxed all afternoon - even tied Pam down to a chair -and played Absolute Balderdash before supper. I can't seem to remember who won. Oh well, not important. I am kidding . . . 

Wendy and Lloyd crushed the rest of us! 

Wendy was the ultimate champ,

 but Lloyd was close on her heels.

Then we ate our bounty from the sea - cod tongues and fillets that tasted better than anything has a right to, peas, tomatoes, greens and fresh herbs all from Wendy's garden, date squares, and "doughnuts" from the general store!
I wonder if it strange that I feel emotional about fish. The whole process just seems magical to me - it is not enough that these marvelous creatures give up their lives to feed us, but they are generous enough to taste like they have been blessed by angels. The cycle of life doesn't get any more "real" or precious than this.

As a special addition to the blog, I would like to welcome Betty on board and share her first response to the blog. Thanks Betty, you ALWAYS add flavour to the sauce!!!

I really liked your travelogue!

The "swimming" crowd is best

For that great feat (spelled folly)

Will they get stars upon their chests?

The Islands seem sort of magic

They never fail to charm,

even the most hard hearted

Feel all nice and fuzzy warm.  

(and never hungry and sometimes a bit of the other kind of fuzzy.)

I am enjoying having everyone put their fingers to the keys and add their own favourites. It is proving to be a challenge though, and brings to mind the saying about herding cats. Enjoy Day Three highlights and photos:

Dave: Taking a turn as Dasher in Balderdash and trying to read aloud the movie premise about the "Barnum and Bailey and Ring Circus"(except the and symbol was really a 3 - cannot believe Pam held her tongue ). Also loved it when Sandra defeated Lloyd in crib - what a humble champion!
Wes: Did anyone mention that Sandra trounced the reigning Change Islands crib champ? Lloyd is getting over it as I write......he tried to push my love over the sideboards of the cod fishing dory this morning!! Well,  today gang, we sailed within 100 feet of a freakin' iceberg on a 16 foot dory ably handled by local wonder, Ivan the great!! The water splashing up over the sides of the 'berg was absolutely "turquoise".......a small wonder of the world.     
Nancy: A day of firsts for my favorite things.  First time on a boat on the North Atlantic, first time jigging cod and first time gutting cod fish...nerdtron alert-gastric caeca are more prominent than represented in the google images.   Oh yeah, almost forgot...when Sandra beat Lloyd in cribbage!
Wendy: Seeing  " our island" through the eyes of our visitors has been more fun than anything, their excitement and enthusiasm is infectious!! maybe the competitive spirit is catching because I certainly enjoyed coming first at Balderdash! But I was thrilled when Sandra beat Lloyd in crib !
Lloyd: IT'S ALL BALDERDASH!
Sandy: fishing cod in the north atlantic but even better sailing within spitting distance of an iceberg , seeing the remarkable colours and imagining that this iceburg is thousands of years old and now I'm next next to it , baffles the imagination . Oh yeah , almost forgot , Sandra beating Lloyd in crib !
Pam: eating fresher than fresh cod from the cold Atlantic water. And of course, Sandra's win at crib.
Sandra:Well, this is just embarrassing. Honestly, it was just a friendly game. I would have to say my highlight of the day was how graciously Lloyd lost to me at crib!!!!

34 lbs!

Day Two . . . Change Islands - Not the end of the earth, the end of the rainbow!

Wednesday, Aug 6/14

I blame Cailin!
That trouble-maker started the whole "What about a blog?" pressure. We should have been content to leave well enough alone, to remember that you can never go back, that revisiting a formula just doesn't work. And now, look what has happened - yesterday Wes was distraught because I neglected to gather everyone's favourite thing from Day One, and Lloyd was crushed that his Kabota failed to make the cut! Not so worried about Wes - let him pick two for Day Two and all will be right in his world, but Lloyd? Hmmmm . . .

An Ode to a Boy and His Tractor
They say on The Rock there's a powerful pull when a boy finds his one true love;
A bond of perfection that will not be rent, and a comforting fit like a glove.
Lloyd searched his life through seeking just the right mate, hope dwindling as years all but "flied",
When By God, she appeared, all shiny and new, and said, "Honey, let me take you for a ride!!"

                                            Dear God, I hope this is the right model!

OK, amends made, it is on to Day Two . . . and a marvelous day it was. 

We headed out early for the 2:30 pm Change Islands ferry with Lloyd quietly but firmly keeping our motley crew to a schedule. I am happy to report that the timeline included reaching out the van window to hug Kelly at Clarenville as we drove by. Kidding - we shared a Tim Horten's breakfast visit with Kelly (my favourite thing by the way - putting my arms around my baby) - thanks to her for getting Charlie up and making the drive for a quick visit!
Back on the road, Dave jumped ship. Needing his first Sheridan break, he took the navigator position with Lloyd, sending Wendy to our van as a tour guide. Wendy has an interesting shtick as a guide  . . ."That was a pretty river back there," and "Oh right, we just passed a golf course." What she lacks in pointing out local sights though, she more than makes up for in her precognition of road signs . . ."Get your camera ready. Just around the next bend there is a great sign!" We did not tip well.

                                                   Just one of many!
The ferry ride, and our first glimpse of Change Islands, did not disappoint. It is hard to describe the surreal experience of finally arriving at a place that has been so long on the "someday" list. We all live close to the water, but it is different here. The North Atlantic is majestic, and it swells, even on a calm day. It moves with a power that seems like a warning - "Don't mess with me, I am way tougher than you."
Codrick's Cove - what a spot! At first glance this little community looks like time has forgotten it - tilted, grayed docks that angle down to the water, each with its own weather-beaten fish house perched near the end, small motored dories heading in and out of the harbour - I still can't believe these are the boat they use to "hunt" cod - rocks, trees,berries, hills, water, soft ground cover - just a feast for your senses. However, once you adjust your eyes, it is easy to spot the ATV's, motor homes, satellite dishes . . . this is a place where people live, work, raise families, not just a postcard for us tourists.
No wonder Wendy and Lloyd fell in love with this place. Their house and shed are, no surprise, warm and inviting. And who knew they had their own beach? Well, they call it the Back Gulch, but not after yesterday! The Maritimers, confused by their travels, thought they had arrived at an Icelandic Hot Springs spa, and all braved the icy water. Did I mention there is an ICEBURG offshore?! Fantastic!!
Straws were drawn again for sleeping spots . . . and again, Sandy and Nancy drew long. Time to buy a lotto ticket. They slept out in the shed, a cozy nest even closer to the water's edge. Gee, here's hoping the blow up stayed filled. (:
The day was not done - there was cod filleting to watch just steps down the road, a fabulous spaghetti dinner to be had, and an evening driving tour of the Island.
And now . . . "These are a few of our favourite things . . .":
Wes: A tie for Wes . . . keeping up with Lloyd and his "Ferrari" on the Trans Canada Highway, and sharing the pet peeve of drivers speeding up once you start to pass them, AND enjoying the most refreshing, clean, clear swim of his life in the Gulch (remember, Wes is a sand sissy, so this suited him to a tee), including the image of Wendy and Lloyd sitting above and shaking their heads.
Pam: scrambling up berry covered hills to stand on scary heights to discover icebergs, the punts, and the sea below us! A close second: merrily painted houses scattered along the shores of this beautiful coastline....
Sandy: Seeing the "real" Newfoundland in the form of the beautiful Change Islands and swimming in the same water as an Ice burg !  
Nancy: So many things to consider:  seeing the rocky beauty of Newfoundland, swimming in the North Atlantic (remember I don't even find the waters of Northumberland Strait to be warm enough to swim in) and practicing and gaining knowledge of the Newfoundland flora.
Wendy: My most favorite thing was of course having all my cousins plus travelling with us to finally get to Change Islands together.  Seems like we have been wanting to do this forever!   I could not believe those Parlee beach sun bunnies were swimming in the Back Gulch. Everyone's reactions to it all was priceless.
Dave:Watching Lloyd's face light up as we approached Change Islands. Love is hard to conceal!
Lloyd:going to change islands with great friends.

A little tough for Nancy to drive from here!

only 15 spots

 

"Stage" is the building on the water, the "store" is above it safe and sound, for filleting the day's catch. 
View from the front window.

                                                   

Grounding - Island style

                                                  The Back Gulch Beach!

first in!

                                                     Wes plans to mark territory on every continent.

                                            Sandy takes the plunge.

                                                   Note iceburg in distance.

                                               Dave at the "hot springs".

                                                   "Island House"

evening tour of the Islands

sunset from the back yard