Slowing Down to See the World
- Lorna Jones
- Mar 22, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 14, 2019
Time to move on and leave my lovely AirBnB in Portugal Cove. I crammed all my stuff into the Mini Cooper (which already had four winter tires in it!), programmed my Google Maps, made one last check around the house, because, as my youngest son always tells me - if your head wasn't attached to your body Mom, you'd lose it. Sigh. It's true. Then I walked outside to take one last glance at the magnificent view across the bay. The sky was totally ominous, so of course the first thing which came to mind was... "Where's my camera? I have to get a picture of that!"
As I finally settled into the drivers seat, stomach churning, mind spinning and hands trembling, I took a deep breath, hand brake on - check, clutch in - check, car in gear - check, start the engine. It's time. We're off. Before I obeyed my "trusty" Google Maps assistant, I drove up a hill into a park so I could see St. John's one last time. The first stop now was to fill up the gas tank and record the mileage (kilometers of course): 54,483. I'm on my way.
Yesterday, in St. John's, Dave said I would pass Winnie's place in Bay Roberts on my way to Shauna's cabin. He was sure she'd be thrilled to see me. Winnie was Dave's friend who I met several times and really enjoyed but I hadn't contacted her so I was reluctant to just drop in. I followed the Google Maps instructions and sure enough a sign for Bay Roberts loomed ahead. Should I? Shouldn't I? For Pete's sake Lorna, the least you can do is phone her and say hi. I screeched off the highway into a small parking lot. What's the worst that can happen?
She answered. "Oh ya gotta drop by Lorna. You're just up the way." So, into Bay Roberts I drove and was greeted in typical Newfoundland fashion. Winnie offered me lunch and when I declined she came out of the kitchen with and cup of tea and a warm home-made banana muffin. "Now, ya can't turn down a home-made muffin can ya?" Of course not, that would be rude! All too soon the visit was over as we both had places to be but I'm so glad I got to see her. Dave was right, she was thrilled to see me.
I soon left the major highway behind and began driving the narrower, weaving roads through small villages and towns. Driving my "new" car, I was obeying the speed limits to an irritating degree. In my rear view mirror I'd frequently see two or three cars snaking behind me. They were locals and knew every twist, turn, and pot hole along the way, so I'd regularly pull off to the side to let them pass. I actually appreciated the slow speed limits because I wanted to absorb and remember every vista, every tree and bush, every colourful building along the way.
Finally, there it was, just as Shauna had described. Standing out among the browns, grays, and creams of the rocky tundra was their bright yellow "cabin". Seeing it made my heart sing.
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