Fortunately, we had an uneventful trip east. The Dodge Caravan was loaded to the hilt and grunted up a few long hills in New Brunswick, but otherwise did well. The ferry crossing was calm allowing for a good sleep, and the arrival in Rose Blanche pleasant with it bathed in sunshine.
Katie Lew was much as we had left her. It was hard to believe after the reportedly tough winter she had endured in our absence. The hydro, internet and town water supply are the basic utilities and all started up without a hitch. We had our fingers crossed when turning the water on as this was the first winter for the new plumbing system. It's pretty common in systems like ours to leave undrained water in the pipes during shutdown which results in freezing damage and leaks by spring.
We arrived at the end of the spring lobster season, and from all accounts, it was the best lobster season in memory. Halibut were abundant as well, so it's nice to see the fishermen with smiles on their faces, telling wonderful tales. It felt good to get reacquainted with friends and neighbours, the welcome-backs, handshakes and hugs.
We've been here a week now; Marlene's got her Gallery open and visitors have been dropping by.
It's somewhat dreamlike; a few days ago we were back in Ontario, and today we're living life in Newfoundland, hunkered down in the fog for a quiet day in Katie Lew. We're living last winter's dream.
