Maggie in Newfoundland Again 2016: Day 38 St. John's

I LOVE my life on the open road. We have friends who “full-time”, meaning they live in their RV exclusively. That is there “permanent” home. They have a daughter in Texas and a daughter in Ontario and they split their time travelling different routes to those two destinations. Given our larger family that may not be in the cards for us, but if it weren’t for family (and the fact that I eventually have to go back to work) I think the lifestyle would suit us fine! Must have had nomads somewhere in our bloodlines! Living in a moveable home has it challenges though, and this morning we discovered we had sprung a leak! So much for our “busy last day in Newfoundland” plans! Oh well! By the time we had used every paper towel in the trailer to sop up the mess and discovered the source of the leak, the morning was gone. David had work he was to do this afternoon and now had additional challenges so he bailed on the outings and sent us on our way. Girl’s day on the town!

Our last day downtown allowed us to cover about half of the little shops that line Water Street and Duckworth Street. We are not much interested in mall shopping since we can do that at home but the little shops here on the oldest main street in North America offer an interesting browse with things you aren’t likely to find in many other places. I mean where else but Newfoundland are you likely to find an ugly stick? We happily shopped and wandered and eventually ended at the far end of Duckworth Street at The Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Council. We were really hoping to see my friend Sharon but we picked the exact time she was at lunch. The shop and gallery there are lovely though so it was well worth the walk to the end of the street!

We stopped for a little lunch and then set off for 633 South Side, the name affectionately used to refer to the place where my grandparents raised their family of 22 children. The house where my father grew up no longer exists. After my grandfather died, my Aunts Regina and Claudine who were still living there chose to have the house rebuilt. They used the same design and architecture, so apart from things like the upstairs loft where all the girls slept (accessed through the pantry – funny the things you remember) and the garage (that smelled like oil, that to this day reminds me of my grandmother! – like I said, funny things) the house is a recreation of the one I remember as my grandparents!

The house is always implacably kept, with the table fully set in crystal and silver, ready to receive guests. The front hall is a family museum of sorts with family portraits, Grampie’s framed war medals, a framed letter Grampie received from King George for his service at Beaumont Hamel and various other memorabilia. My Aunts, just as impeccably turned out are, as always, loving, welcoming and full of interest in our lives and stories of our past. Mary-Kate hasn’t been here since she was a small child so it is like a first visit for her. It is so wonderful to watch her delight in the visit.

There is a brook that runs down through the land right beside the house. Even Mary-Kate recognizes the brook since she immediately recognizes it as the path to the home of Jackie Rabbit! As children growing up, my grandfather told his many grandchildren the stories of Jackie Rabbit. Jackie lived at the top of the brook beside the house. As they were neighbours, Grampie and Jackie were great friends and visited one another often. Grampie would tell us tales of having tea with Jackie as Mrs. Rabbit would dote on them and provide little cakes to go with their tea. Our only disappointment in visiting my grandparents is that you never were lucky enough to manage to be there when Jackie was home. Grampie would always report that he was away on holiday, or we had just missed him or there was something going on that it would be very rude to interrupt! He would have a tale though of their latest adventure together to ease the disappointment. When my children were born, the legend continued and Bop-Bop (my Dad) continued tales of the adventures. So cool that Mary-Kate can immediate recognize the brook that leads to Jackie Rabbit!

For a time while I was at university, I lived with my Dad’s sister, Aunt Bernice. Although we did visit with her at all the reunion events, I couldn’t leave without a little time with her all to myself! Leaving 633 it was off to 9 Larch Place. Once again we were enveloped in an enthusiastic and loving welcome that left little doubt that the visit was mutually valuable! 90 years of living has done little to lessen Aunt Bernice’s exuberance! Falling far short of 5 feet, she packs more punch that anyone I have ever known. She lives alone now in the home she and Uncle Leo built to raised four children and she still mows her own (sizable!) lawn, snow blows her mountainous driveway and maintains her gardens of flowers and strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries and rhubarb. She had made a blender full of smoothies (that were delicious) and had baked a chocolate cheesecake and lemon squares so far today. Not only could we not refuse to indulge in all of that, but we had to pack treats (including quarter of the cheesecake) for “poor David who was stuck back fixing the trailer”! She received a call on her cell phone from a friend while we were there making plans to go downtown tonight to see the Beaumont Hamel exhibit at The Rooms. Honestly, she accomplishes more in a day than most people quarter her age. I would say that I wished to be like her when I was her age, but I’m not now so there is little hope! She is truly amazing! As we leave and are hugged repeatedly, Mary-Kate offers wishes to see her again. She responds that it may be before long since she is apparently considering a trip to visit us before long! Wow, talk about making 90 years count!

By the time Mary-Katherine and I arrive back at the trailer David is finished his work and it is well past the time we had planned. As tonight is our last night, we wanted to take Grant and Ruth out to dinner and get a last scope of ice cream from Moo Moos to Signal Hill. The evening is wonderful, full of laughter as every evening should be. The beautiful sight of the lights of St. John’s are a perfect way to pause and give thanks for this incredible vacation! We have been well blessed with health, safe travels and the wisdom to appreciate everything we have done here in this incredibly wonderful place!