I subscribe to Downhome, and eagerly look forward to receiving it every month. I especially enjoy the Bayman's Puzzle, and find it challenging, since I have been away since 1963.

Some time ago, we were in charge of a home for men, and decided we would like to take 15 of them to see what a beautiful province Newfoundland was, so we went. What a wonderful holiday we all had!

Enclosed is a poem I wrote about that trip, and I would also like it to be a THANK YOU to all the great friends and family who took such good care of us.

Ella (Tuck) Faulkner

Newfoundland Trip - 1994

'Twas only a dream in the back of my mind
A year or so ago
We'd take a bunch of "our guys"
And to Newfie we would go.

We knew it would cost a fortune
And money we didn't have much
But "where there's a will, there's a way," they say
So we had suppers and sales and such.

It took a year to get ready
But our spirits were really high
Our bags were packed and ready
But our funds...a little shy.

I suddenly had a brain wave
(Divine inspiration, I'm sure!)
What we needed were sponsors
On Newfoundland's fair shore.

So I wrote - and they all responded
Sure, they'd give us a meal and much more!
They offered their homes and their youth halls
With our mattress we'd sleep on the floor.

Despite a few setbacks and queries
Finally all systems were GO
It was on to North Sydney and the Caribou
The time of our lives we would know.

The crossing was rough, we rocked and we rolled
There were times that we thought, "we can't last."
Only one got real sick (today he's just fine)
With relief we saw land...Port aux Basques!

A good sleep at Gulfside made us rarin' to go
New friends we were waiting to meet
Corner Brook our first stop - (where the van went "kerplop")
Later on with the Men's Club we'd eat.

There was Deer Lake and Springdale and Triton
Each spot with a beauty so rare
With family and friends there to welcome
All made sure we had food...and to spare.

Then on to Grand Falls and Windsor
Bishops, Botwood, Glenwood, Lewisporte too
We picked berries on New World Island
Then Twillingate came into view.

We were now getting tired from our outing
So to Summerford we went to be fed (again!)
There was salt beef and cabbage - peas pudding too!
Melve and May put us all into bed.

Then on to Gander and Gambo
At Square Pond we stopped for the night
More food and friends found waiting at Glovertown
Then through Terra Nova Park set our sights.

"Don't drive after dark," they all warned us
"There are creatures of night on the loose"
But with cameras all aimed - our eyes strained and strained
Still we never once saw that old moose!

Next stop was Cape Bonavista
A provincial historic site
Then more food at The Salvation Army
At Dunrovin we stopped for the night.

On Sunday we paused to say "thank you"
God had blessed us - provided our way
Clarenville Corps made us welcome - for sure!
Then we left for Trinity Bay.

Then on to Hant's Harbour (a place I call home)
Here the Lion's Club provided our bed
The family was waiting...from granddad to youth
With salads and good homemade bread.

We took a boat tour 'round the harbour
Then headed to Lower Island Cove
Saw the Bay de Verde coast, picked berries and ate
Then on to Job's Cove we'd rove.

Then 'twas off to St. John's for a day on the town
Bought souvenirs, saw the sights, had our fill
Ate at Ches's (Topsail Road), did old Water Street
Watched the sunset from atop Signal Hill.

As we visited each nook and cranny
Saw the beauty of city and bay
One thought permeated our thinking
"Oh, how we wish we could stay."

Your kindness will long be remembered
Your seascapes...a sight to behold!
Your warmth and relaxed way of living
Will forever be etched in our soul.

Now our trip's almost over
The Smallwood is taking us back
From Argentia today we live here
We'll never forget you
God bless Newfoundland
God bless Newfoundlanders - our prayer.   Submitted By: NULL