Newfoundlander By Choice

07/24/2024

Parks Canada has opened up George's Pond to public swimming. Looks like lots of folks are enjoying this opportunity. Bring along your swim suit and give it a try.😀

07/23/2024

The explorer yacht Scintilla Maris was recently in St. John’s harbor and we had a chance to meet and talk with the owner, Erik Vonk

He is CEO Randstad Holding net worth as of July 19, 2024 is $8.78 billion. Randstad Holding NV operates as a global provider of HR services including temporary staffing, permanent placement, recruitment of middle and senior managers, on site consulting, and seconded specialists.

Vonk has converted a trawler into 45.6m explorer yacht Scintilla Maris. Her value is $75 million, her annual running costs are around $8 million.

07/20/2024

On Highway 100, approximately two hours from St John's, you will find a beautiful veterans' memorial at Angels Cove on Placentia Bay. It is dedicated to all veterans but names one Murray and 13 members of the Coffey family. Stop for a moment of silent reflection and remembrance. Lest we forget.

07/17/2024

When Newfoundlanders tell you there are ducks crossing the road, they mean it!0

07/17/2024

Foggy day at Cape St Mary’s

07/14/2024

The NL Folk Festival attracted a huge crowd at Bannerman Park. Headliners, Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle who brought the audience to their feet several times. organizers said it was the largest crowd ever assembled in the Park. It was a warm summer bight

07/13/2024

Big excitement in St. John's today; the super yacht SAMARA is ted up in harbor. It is owned by JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series and rumours abound that she is in town, or that Tom Cruise has rented it and he's on board.
The 290 foot Samara offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests in 7 suites comprising a master suite, two VIP cabins and four double cabins. There are up to twenty-eight crew members on board to provide outstanding service on your charter.

Built in 2015, Samara is designed for exquisite indoor/outdoor living and boasts voluminous interior and exterior spaces across several decks: ideal for bronzing, lounging or entertaining. She has sensational features such as a movie theatre, elevator, underwater lights, beach club and gym.

You can rent it for appx $1.5 million US per week. When it’s time to refuel, get out your credit card to top up its 288,000 liters fuel tanks

06/26/2024

Check out CBC archives for Rick Mercer show, 2017, to see his sheep program

06/25/2024

We took a drive on a warm sunny day along Highway 10 South of St. John’s, NL, to see what might be happening in those colourful communities.

After about 40 minutes driving on a scenic, twisty road we saw a sign saying “Cliff’s Edge Retreat” in Brigus South. Not to be confused with Brigus north.

We’d never heard of it, so, decided to find out what it was all about.

Imagine our surprise to discover a cafe was only the tip of the iceberg!

The resort has been there for 25 years but was recently fully renovated by local entrepreneurs. This is a world class facility, tastefully appointed, with great attention to detail with 22 suites and cottages. Hot tubs, a sauna, and a conference facility are also available. Many rooms have stunning ocean views of the North Atlantic and nearby islands. They are open year-round.

We recalled that this is the area where we saw a Rick Mercer, CBC-TV program about farmers who relocate sheep from their local pastures to islands where they are safe from predation by coyotes.

As we arrived at the harbor, imagine our delight to notice a pickup truck and trailer backing onto the local slipway with a load of sheep!

Farmers from the Morry and Ruby families were loading sheep onto a dory to be transported to nearby islands.

The operation was seamless, the sheep were loaded into the dory effortlessly and as Keith Morry said: “I think they enjoy the ride.”

The sheep are on their own for the summer, being visited a few times by the farmers to apply sheep dip and make sure they are all doing well.

The natural grass on the islands provides a good food source which is augmented by hay brought in by the farmers.

The sheep will remain on the islands until late fall when they are retrieved and returned to their farms.

The Morry family have been farming and conducting this project for four generations!

Keith Morry invited us to accompany him on a trip in July to the island pasturage. That would be a great experience.

Just another example of the hidden treasures on this interesting island we call Newfoundland and Labrador!

Jim and Paula

e-mail: [email protected]
Jim Stanton
twitter@jimstanton1
Website: stantonassociates.ca
Skype: airborneranger11
Tel: 1-709-330-0467

06/25/2024

Try the new Stoney Ducky restaurant in Bay Bulls, 30 minutes south of St. John's on Highway 10. It has a great view of the harbor, friendly staff and tasty food on the menu

06/10/2024

If you are in the Port aux Basques area, be sure and drive 40 kms east to explore Newfoundland's only stone (granite) lighthouse. Built in 1873, it was refurbished in 1999 and is well worth the visit. The living quarters of the lighthouse keeper have been recreated and an excellent video tells the story of the laborious restoration work done by local people.

06/03/2024

On the Bay of Fundy, site of the highest tides in the world

05/30/2024

Lovely tribute

04/12/2024

We enjoyed the partial eclipse of the sun in spite of intermittent clouds, A truly magic experience

04/06/2024

Signal Hill, the Narrows and the St. John's harbour as seen from the VU restaurant. This is the perfect spot to take visitors for lunch and a harbour view.

04/05/2024

Newfoundland and Labrador have a rich tradition of storytelling. This history is kept alive by the good folks who speak to the story telling events sponsored by Story Telling Newfoundland.

Come and check out their sessions, consider telling a story yourself. Find out more at their website:
https://www.storytellingstjohns.ca

03/29/2024

Happy Easter to all our new Ukrainian Canadians who have joined us on The Rock.

03/27/2024

We recently attend a joint band concert of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Newfoundland Highlanders Pipes and Drums. Watch for them for a rousing evening of entertainment..

03/26/2024

Here is the Newfoundland Easter Bunny relaxing with a pint before setting out on his mission of hiding eggs across the Island.

03/18/2024

It won't be long until the icebergs are back.

03/12/2024

We have an abundance of musical talent on this remote island. For the finest the traditions of Ireland, look for these folks "Celtic Tides."

02/25/2024

Looking for a unique winter experience? Contact the folks at Lester's Farm 709-368-2458 for a sleigh ride, which includes a pancake breakfast and admission to the petting zoo.

02/22/2024

So, you think we have snow now, check this old photo of Harvey Road, circa 1910. No sidewalk plows in those days. Back breaking work. Behind the gents standing on the snowbank, you can see two flagpoles. That is the top of the Church Lad's Brigade Armoury.

To share the experiences of a "Newfoundlander By Choice" (NBC) as he experiences the delights of New