Last Friday we loaded the car and headed east - destination a small farm in Cormack, Newfoundland. We don't relish long car rides, however, they always give us a chance to just sit and talk. It's rather hard to hold a position other than sitting for too long in a car and there are not many podcasts that don't generate some sort of discussion. Honestly, “Sit and Talk” suits us just fine!
A topic that comes up often for us is "Generosity". Our experiences this spring have been so amazing because of the generosity of others. This trip to Newfoundland has already had been improved by so many wonderful people.
Leonora, a good friend of Gayle's live and teaches in Belleville. When she heard that we were travelling, she immediately offered up the Margaree Cottage in Cape Breton for us to stay along the way. This was very nice especially because we also new that would give us a chance to see her father - Leonard. He is retired fisherman who has a thick Acadian accent and who although he is in 80's still has a quick wit! We have enjoyed his company a few times over the years and it was going be nice to see him again.
We knew it was lobster season and had planned to pick up 2 along the way and queried Leonora about the best why to secure them on the way. She would have none of that!
When we arrived to Leonard's, he had been to the dock in the morning, purchased 5 lobsters and cooked them using his special method especially for us! This was enough for dinner and for lobster rolls for lunch on the ferry the next day!
When the ferry landed at Port Aux Basques in Newfoundland it was 6C and raining. We are pretty sure that it there were some wet snowflakes mixed in. Our original plan had been to camp for the night at a nearby provincial park. As we watched the town approach we could see people bundled up and we thanked the stars for Melanie and Bernard.
This couple lived in Belleville and moved to Isle aux Mort (close to the ferry dock) 5 years ago so Melanie could be closer to her large family - who still mostly live in this little fishing village on the southern coast. We hadn't connected with them for a few years, but decided to reach out to see if they had time for a coffee. Without hesitation, they generously offered to put us up for the night. Given the weather, we were so glad that they did.
We arrived to a warm dinner of fresh trout and great stories. Bernard gave us tour of the town and told us the history of the place while pointing out every sister's-cousin's-daughter's house along the way! Breakfast the next day was pretty much restaurant quality and probably tasted even better because we were not waking up in a soggy tent!
We cannot begin to count the times that we have been supported by the generosity of others. Our friends and neighbours at home who are watching our house or filling in for our responsibilities, the good folks we've met along the way (far too numerous to count) and re-connected old friends have reminded us how impactful it is to give to others.