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A winter break in St. John's, in the province of Newfoundland in March 2001

Winter Break in St. John's

Tvor
2005-08-29 18:57:25

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Thursday

An end of winter break in the old city of St. John's, Newfoundland where my cousin Gayle lived with her family. Last time I came to Newfoundland in 1997 they were living in Grand Bank on the Burin Peninsula and I spent a few days in the city that trip too. This is just a 4-5 day weekend.

Newfoundland has received over 600 cm of snow this winter (2001), breaking records. When I went over, some of it had melted off but there was still more snow on the ground and heaped into banks on roadsides and along the highway than I have seen since I was a kid.

I flew over on Thursday night, taking the airbus after work from the nearby hotel. The plane was full but I'm in row 6 up front so should at least get off quickly as I have no checked luggage. The plane was delayed a half hour because of one thing and another, then one passenger was called off the plane leaving a seat for a stand by passenger to get on. Then they had to de-ice the plane because it started to snow. Sheesh. Finally got there and home to Gayle's and greeted everyone. Am sleeping in Jonathan's room, putting him out onto a mattress on the living room floor. He doesn't seem to mind.

Friday

We've decided to do a bit of driving around this morning. The weather is overcast, cold and windy but thought the wind is chilly and damp, there isn't the bitter bite to it that comes from a winter north wind. At least, not as long as you aren't out in it very long. St. John's is on the Avalon Peninsula, a southeast bit of the island of Newfoundland. It's got a small natural harbour and a nice sized city with a lively downtown area fill of shops and restaurants including the infamous George Street. The malls in the area, and the "big box" super stores don't seem to have taken too much custom away from the downtown.

We drove out of the city and up along ...