Buddy Wasisiname and the other Fellas

We have recently returned from a fun weekend in St John's as we had tickets for a Buddy Wassisname concert. We bought a tape of their music during our first visit to Newfoundland in 1997 and have enjoyed their music ever since. The trip there was fine but we had a very 'interesting' journey home.

We left Dunfield at around 7.30 am on a bright sunny morning although it was a tad chilly, at -12 degrees. It got colder as we moved east with the thermometer in the car showing an outside temp of -23! yes that's a minus sign in front of the number! The roads were clear of both snow and traffic and while the fir trees were laden down with snow the bare branches of the deciduous trees were heavily laden with ice and when the sunlight hit them they sparkled and twinkled as if they were lit with flashing LED lights. The frozen ponds and lakes also looked like they were sprinkled with diamonds. It was so beautiful!

We arrived in St John's and did the few chores we had to do and then checked into our accommodation for the evening. While we had been driving down the radio had been giving regular weather updates and a big storm was due to cross the east coast of Newfoundland over night bringing strong winds and blizzard conditions. We checked with our landlady to see if the flat was available should we need to stay another night, luckily it was so we had a fall-back position if we needed to stay. Most modern Canadian houses have huge basements, the same size as the house but partially submerged. They have windows at ground level which let in light and are above head height from inside. Many people convert their basements into family rooms or in this case self contained accommodation. We had a very nice queen bed room, bathroom with bath and shower, fully equipped kitchen and lounge with leather sofa and big TV and Wi-Fi. All this for $70 a night, much cheaper than a 2 star hotel and far more comfy!

When it looked like we may have to stay another night because of weather we popped into the supermarket for emergency supplies. Then it was time to head off to the Buddy Wasisname concert. It was held in a local ice rink called the Mount Pearl Glacier. 

Buddy Wasisname and the other fellas...and us.

We had a wonderful time enjoying traditional Newfie folk music, jigs and comedy songs. We laughed all through the 2 hour show, then afterward we were able to meet with the fellas and have a chat. They were amazed we had come so far to see them! We left the Glacier wondering if we would be able to drive home, the wind was certainly up and blowing loose snow across the streets, but we made it back safe and sound.

Next morning there was a blizzard warning out and the radio was telling everyone to stay home! We treated it as if we were heading out on an ocean trip, Alan even got GRIB files down to check the weather which clearly showed a big storm cell off the east coast with very strong winds. Eventually after some umming and aahing we decided to try it and see, knowing we could come back if it was too bad. We left about 11 am on Saturday morning and St John's was like a ghost town! Our hosts had dug the car out for us (even though we had thought to bring the snow shovel with us!) we inched our way on to the main road. The wind was very strong and blowing snow everywhere, although no fresh snow was falling. There were snow drifts about 10 feet high on either side of the streets from 2 previous storms and where the snow plough had cleared the roads earlier. We nearly turned back trying to get onto the Trans Canada highway as there was a steep ramp covered in snow and vehicles were struggling to get up and going sideways! All we had to do was get down though, and we decided gravity would help with that so we went for it! Once on the highway the road was mainly clear, although strong winds would send swirling snow across the highway especially in the open stretches of road. If it had been snowing, visibility would have been zero.

We made it to Clarenville OK in slower than usual time but then it was time to get off the highway and the country roads were not as good. They were covered in snow and ice so we dropped the speed and crept along very sedately. 

You can see the snow being blown across the road

The wind was picking up and by the time we made it to Dunfield it was blowing about 50 knots and light snow was falling so we had made it back just in time. We were very glad we had the snow shovel in the car as snow had drifted halfway up across the front door and we had to dig our way back in!

We have stayed snuggled warm and toasty indoors watching the exciting weather in comfort.

He like lying on his side!

We are being storm bashed and very glad we don't have to go anywhere. There is huge surf and big rollers crashing on our beach as the winds are out of the east. It has got warmer and is now 3-4 degrees positive! This has brought rain rather than snow and so much of it is melting and turning to slush.

A large seal lolloped ashore this morning, so graceful in the water, so ungainly on land, so Alan braved the weather to take photos. I think he just wanted a break from the rough seas:) (the seal, not Alan). It's is the only living thing we have seen for days!

We may venture out tomorrow for supplies.