Newfoundland and France, worlds apart

For some, the term spring equinox conjures up images of daffodils and tulips bordering a fence line; but for those living on the Great Northern Peninsula, winter is still firmly entrenched. In France however-where ‘our Amy’ is attending school-spring is well established.

Last week stories of road blockages and folks caught in a snowstorm’s wide track certainly made it abundantly clear that Old Man Winter isn’t finished yet. And because of that, folks traveling back and forth on the Great Northern Peninsula have (wisely) availed themselves of a lifeline, though it’s not something you can lay hands on-it can be found on Facebook and it’s called the Great Northern Peninsula Road Conditions, NL. This group offers on the spot postings from people traveling up or down the Great Northern Peninsula.

If you’re a member of the group, you’ll have read last week that there was a bakery, scheduled to close at 9 p.m., that remained open all night to offer food and shelter to stranded motorists until equipment was able to clear the road next morning; there were people in the Straits offering their homes to people needing a bed and a bite; and there were stories of motorists being pushed or pulled out of snowdrifts and helped on their way by fellow travelers.

Then, there were out-bound and in-bound ferry passengers who were either delayed at the terminals or trapped aboard ferries with nothing to look at but menu boards in the cafeterias, fields of ice, and the faces of their

Article source: http://www.northernpen.ca/Columnists/Kathleen-Tucker/2015-03-30/article-4093165/Newfoundland-and-France,-worlds-apart/1