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!