leaving/returning

Woke up on the day that we were to leave the Avalon wondering when we would have to set out so that we wouldn’t have to be wary of moose when we were beyond the overpass.

Things didn’t start out well, wanted my Montréal bagels from the Georgetown Bakery as well as coffee – but they were closed until Regatta Day. Settled for Auntie Crae’s for coffee and a partridgeberry muffin while watching the off loaded tourists wander Water Street.

Had to get in touch with Annie and Marian to see where and when the luncheon would be, buy food and supplies then head out. I hoped that we could be on the Transcanada by 3PM.

Walking back from Auntie Crae’s we simultaneously said “let’s get out of here.” Rang Marian saying that we couldn’t make lunch – while I was ringing there was a email saying that Annie had prior commitments with her lawyer so the luncheon was off anyway.

Packed the car left Jim reading as we pulled out.

The errands were methodical and purposeful but not rushed. Churchill Square for fix and inkjet paper, Dominion for $150 worth of groceries, Gasoline at the Irving in Stavenger Drive then on to the Transcanada.

The ride wasn’t momentous. We had our usual debating sessions covering subjects from anthropology, to philosophy, the CFA v. livyer frame of mind, the fun of art making.

The read passages started just past Gambo – Nabokov – we stopped in Badger for food, then with another reading we pressed on to Deer Lake.

Good thing that Kendra was reading as we passed a Gas Bar which was too expensive – only full serve – and thought that I would fill up at the next station. There was no next station. While listening to the reading, I kept glancing at the gasoline gauge. Which was on empty.

Made it to Deer Lake on fumes.

Up route 430 to Wiltondale noting all the markers along the way, talking so much that I was afraid that I had missed the turn off for Woody Point as I only saw adverts for Rocky Harbour.

Finally the last 35 km down route 431 forgetting how long the road is to the town, but glad that I won’t be driving when dark. At first it was the moose that worried me, now it is the drunks.

Unpack the provisions, download images onto the computers, Dinner on the picnic table in the garden, lingering longer than usual, watching the changing sky getting back into the routine of not hurrying. I print a bit in the studio, Kendra edits her snaps, we compare the day’s finds.

She notices that the person at Future Shop didn’t sell her an USB cable – he was too busy on the phone, on hold, waiting for someone. She kept staring, hoping that one would appear, tried all sorts of means to see if she could will the printer to connect. Resigned ourselves to having to go into at least Deer Lake the next day.


Went down to the Seabreeze to announce our return.