Author diaries

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18 October 2003 Entry: "Message from Newfoundland"

After a hectic National Poetry Day which included reading my dust mites poem (now called Small Things I Have Slept With) and spending the afternoon in the ladies' loos at Newcastle Central Station, I'm now in Newfoundland, Canada.
David and I have been exploring the area around the capital, St John's. It is a beautiful, rugged landscape. There are strong connections with Ireland and today we visited the Jeanne Johnston, a replica tall ship from Ireland which is visiting St John's.
We spent our first two nights here at the Battery Hotel which overlooks the harbour. The view from our bedroom window was stunning and if you click here you should see the view from the webcam which was directly above our room.
I am enjoying reading the book River Thieves by St John's writer Michae Crummey.The week here is my birthday treat from David (ok, I know, I'm spoilt!) and he's bought me a book of Michael Crummey's poems and an anthology of Newfoundland, Labrador and Irish poetry - plus some Newfie poetry magnets. Newfoundland has its own dictionary and some brilliant words, so I think I'll have fun with that.
The place names are also amazing. Cupids, Heart's Content and Dildo are three of the places we visited yesterday.
The writing scene here seems pretty good too. Lots of book signings and readings, plus many shops supporting local writers by having big displays of their books. If only we had that at home!
I have been eating lots of local food. Our friend Dot Noseworthy served us traditional fish and brewis yesterday with scruncheons and her hospitality means that I have never been hungry.
I overheard one man in a shop saying that he had shot a moose and was going to be cooking moose lasagne. Not something I've tried on this trip, but maybe next time.