There is something about the town of Greenspond in Bonavista North that consistently captures my imagination. Yes, it is known for its wonderful walking trail and its majestic icebergs in spring, but it is magical to me because of much more than that.
No matter how many times I visit, take pictures, or blog about it, this historic community with its many mansard roofs, saltbox homes, and idyllic scenery harkens me back to imaginings of yesteryear when English settlers first came here from Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire centuries ago.
These first inhabitants grew Greenspond into a major economic enterprise through fishing and trading, yet today it stands preserved in an “olden day” atmosphere, giving this visitor storybook inspiration of how Newfoundlanders lived before life became modern and fast-paced.
Take a little tour with me through the following photos. The first one is from Facebook but the rest are from our visit there in May.
Post OfficeLobster traps seen along the Causeway
Last but not least: one of my favourites from two years ago
Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way; Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day; Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do, For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.
Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom, The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days of gloom; Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet, The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.
Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blessed you are, How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar! And what if rain shall fall today and you with grief are sad; Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have had.
~ Edgar A. Guest
Edgar Albert Guest was born in Britain but grew up and spent most of his life in the U.S.A. He was a product of “small town” America and the values and lifestyle he had as a boy permeates his writing both prose and poem. He worked most of his adult life as newspaperman, syndicated country-wide and is reputed to have had a new poem published in a newspaper every day for over 30 years. – AllPoetry.com
Designing abstract images from nature photography can be creative fun. When you play around with your photos to highlight shape, colour, texture, etc., you can come up with some interesting captures.
In this post, I share images from the four seasons.
All but one were taken here in Newfoundland.
Winter in Newtown
Cold Atlantic Ocean off Perry’s PointSleet on Grass with Ice Fog Funnel Cloud
Spring
Iceberg in Greenspond, NLTuscan Vineyard and Olive Grove, ItalySpring Thaw in Newtown
Summer
Groundcover in Woods, Kilmory, NLLead Cove Bank, NLThunderclouds over NewtownEvergreen Branches in Garden Cove, NL
Autumn in Newtown
Granite and Lichen on Perry’s PointPartridgeberries Wet SandMackerel Sky in Newtown
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~ Albert Einstein
Earlier this fall, Paul and I visited the Eastport Peninsula in the central part of Bonavista Bay. With an economy that traditionally focused on its rich natural resources, it has become one of Newfoundland’s most popular tourist destinations. The peninsula is home to sandy beaches, motels, cottages, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts and inns, and is part of The Road to The Beaches tourism region.
This pretty peninsula extends from Terra Nova National Park and follows the coastline along Newman Sound to the south, around the community of Salvage, around Salvage Bay to the east and then following Damnable Bay, Morris Channel, Fair and False Bay, Bloody Reach and Northeast Arm on the north.
Don’t you love the funny place names?
After Paul finished his work in Eastport and before we retreated to our cabin for the night, we took a drive out to the farthest point of the peninsula. This drive brought us through Salvage, population 174. Most of the residents there are retirees.
Canadian radio host Michael Enright calls the 9 kilometre walk from Salvage to Eastport “the most beautiful in the world.” Even though it was on the damp side during our visit, I could certainly see why he calls it that. With its peaceful winding road lined with trees, foliage and gorgeous, tidy properties, I could also see why someone would choose to spend their retirement years there.
Of course being a fan of all things feathery,
I had to stop to get up close and personal with the lovely ducks in the area.
I told Paul – and the ducks – that I would love to return to the Park next summer. A longer stay in this area of the island is a highly anticipated holiday for me when the weather warms up again.
One of the first composition principles a student of photography learns is the rule of thirds.
Storytelling, too, can rely on the rule of three, using repetitionof a part of the storyto build and then resolve tension.
But what about the number three applied to life and people?
When it comes to a trio of children, the general rule is usually FUN!
Born into a family of three children, I already know this.
Of course, I also know the mischief three little people can get up to.
I was looking after my grandchildren one day, when they and their friend asked me if they could paint their faces. Thinking that the girls, being older, had the good judgement not to use markers, I said “Sure, go ahead.”
Off they went to their playroom. To make a long story short, it took quite a bit of soap and elbow grease that night to erase most of the wonderful face art by marker (so my daughter informed me). Our little boy ended up sporting green eyebrows for a couple of weeks!
Oh dear. My bad.
The moral of the story? Grandmas can make boo-boos sometimes too.
Fun is not limited to children, of course. Get the right three adults together and laughter will surely ensue.
When that trio includes my husband and his sister Julie,
who both love hamming it up for the camera, fun is guaranteed.
Three’s a crowd? Not around here. We just needed more wine.*
“There is something magical about three, you know – a trio is tight and nicely economical.” ~ Ian Williams
“If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.” ~ Laurence J. Peter
“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wish bone, a back bone and a funny bone.” ~ Reba McEntire
What trio comes to your mind when you think of fun and camaraderie?
Luminous: radiating or reflecting light; shining, bright.
Overlooking Barbour Tickle on a brilliant autumn day
☀️
Winter sunset on Perry’s Point
☀️
The shores off the Point bathed in milky sunlight
Direct observation of the luminous essence of nature is for me indispensable. – Robert Delaunay
Be luminous. Don’t adapt yourself to the circumstances around you but change them to be better. Always take your sunshine wherever you go. – Islam Elnady
I believe there is luminosity hiding in the shadow of the mundane. And things that hover on the periphery of our vision. If that’s magic, then I believe in it. – Natasha Mostert
Nothing gets me out of bed in the morning quicker than the expectation of savoring rich, delicious coffee.
At least two big, fragrant, caffeine-infused cups are an essential part of my routine and a necessity to get my brain working. Later in the day, however, my beverage of choice is tea, usually of the green variety.
I know; big deal, right? Why am I blogging about something so ordinary?
Because sometimes, something as simple and mundane as your cup of tea or coffee can be elevated to (extra)ordinary, depending on where you are, who bought it or brewed it for you, or who may be around to share the experience.
Sometimes a cup of tea is made extra special when it comes to you as a gift – a pretty mug and coaster in your favourite colour, along with your first infuser, and a yummy variety of loose tea flavours from DAVIDsTEA. (Thank you, Daughter. 🙂 )
Forever Nuts is my new favourite from there. How fitting. 😉
Other times, a cup of coffee can be special when you get to enjoy it in a new locale.
Like the Caribbean!
And that is whether you drink it inside where it’s cool…
…or outdoors in the incredible, tropical heat.
Morning coffee tastes particularly wonderful in Rome…
Of course, when in Rome, it should be espresso, shouldn’t it?
Perhaps cappuccino? Nope. I stick to old, reliable Caffé Americano– style.
Java on the balcony of your room in Cannes also tastes pretty darn special.
And during a dinner cruise on the Seine in Paris?
The pleasure of a coffee after your gourmet meal is hard to outclass.
But as delightful as you can imagine all of these cups of coffee and tea were, there is one cup of tea I remember the most with enduring fondness. Today in particular, it makes all the others pale in comparison.
It is the memory of Mom and I sipping tea together in the late afternoon sun…
My wedding day, August 1998
…on an incredibly special day, made that much more memorable by an intimate moment shared.
Today also happens to be a noteworthy day for my family. To be able to indulge in a good ol’ cup of orange pekoe tea with my mother today, on her birthday…it doesn’t seem like a great deal to ask for.
But again this year and for the rest of my days, fond memories will have to do.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Knowing how much you always loved your tea,
this morning I’d like to imagine Dad putting the kettle on
and the two of you enjoying a cup together.
Because I have roots in Grates Cove, a little beluga whale has been all over my Facebook feed lately. That is where I recently discovered Jaredthrough his Beluga At My Doorstep post.
His blog, Bird⋅the⋅Rock, specializes in bird & nature tours in Newfoundland.
From the blog’s About page:
Jared Clarke is a native Newfoundlander who grew up on the northeast coast of the island and was introduced to the outdoors at a very young age – mostly by his grandfathers…Despite his “official” training as a health researcher (PhD Medicine), his love of nature and sharing it with others has consistently led him astray. Jared has led tours big and small across Newfoundland; from historic St. John’s to the ancient Viking settlement of L’Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of the island and many points in between.
Check out the beautiful photos Jared captured in the link below. There’s even a short video of the whale:
“It came to him in rainbow dreams, blent with the wisdom of the sages, of spirit and of passion born; in words as lucent as the morn he prisoned it, and now it gleams a jewel shining through the ages.”
Welcome back, my peeps and pets, to Vivian’s View From Here.
Today we take a page from my Summer Travel Diary. Our “staff” took a break from St. John’s this past week
to spend three nights at Kilmory Resort near Swift Current. It was beautiful and secluded there in our pine log chalet,
which, of course, was right up our alley. Maisie and I especially loved the loft, because we like perching up high. So peaceful, so cozy… We weren’t particularly fond of the noise from the jacuzzi jets, however. But we appreciated the bird’s-eye view of our beloved staff. Here I am practising my “lumbersexual” poses. That’s a thing! If you never heard of it, go google it! I’ll wait. 🙂 As nice and comfy as it was, after a while
we grew weary of having to staying indoors. “Hey, I hear lots of birds and squirrels!” Maisie meows. “Can you please let us out?” After all, we’re used to going out all the time on Perry’s Point. And look how beautiful and sunny it is out there! Please??? Begging works! Our staff fashioned makeshift leashes,
so we could explore outdoors for a bit.
Thanks for dropping by, everyone!
~ head bumps & nose kisses, Vivian