Monday, November 20, 2006

Lost Islands

(Dick Wardle in Notre Dame Bay, photo by: Alison Dyer)


My feature story, with photos, 'Lost Islands: Rediscovering Newfoundland's resettled communities' is now available in the latest issue of Kanawa ('Canada's Paddling Magazine'). Thanks to all my paddling buddies who were part of the trips to Little Passage (South Coast), Merasheen (Placentia Bay), Port Anne (Placentia Bay), Exploits Island (Notre Dame Bay), Indian Burying Place (NDB), and many others. Work, family and other commitments have meant I've not been on the water since September and am sorely missing it. I encourage you to find a copy of Kanawa - and get inspired to paddle our great coastline.

6 comments:

Michael said...

123 names and counting (Nov 20 evening)!

Can't wait to pick up a Kanawa.

Alison Dyer said...

Thanks Michael. The signatures are adding up - some terrific and thoughtful comments on same.
Hope you enjoy fall 2006 Kanawa. cheers, Alison

Anonymous said...

Did you mean Port Royal, or did you mean St. Anne's?

I am not familiar with Port Anne.

How many people travel up Signal Hill daily?

Is 123 really significant?

I thought that the responses from GCA and the JFF were very reasonable.

There is something Quixotic about this endeavour.

I enjoy your writing and appreciate your concern for our environment.

Resettled, but unsettled.

Alison Dyer said...

Hi resettled,

Well, far as I know place used to be called Burnt Island but was renamed Port Anne (just west of Petit Forte). All spectacular scenery around there and I'm most interested in returning next summer.

How many people on Signal Hill daily? Well, as far as visitors are concerned its a good number - it's one of the top attractions of St. John's.

Is 123 significant? I wouldn't know the answer to that. Only when someone takes the time to check out a site, click around, put their name to a petition and, in this case, offer some valuable, insightful comments, I'd say that's pretty significant. (CBC takes every letter/comment to them seriously in the same manner - assuming that for everyone who wrote in there has to be x number more....). Besides, the number is growing, the petition has only just recently got up. There's no huge money campaign for advertising behind this.

I unfortunately disagree about the responses by JFF & GCA and think they have been both unreasonable and, most unfortunately, in some cases, erroneous. One of Paul Johnson's points to On the Go: "We are not damaging the fen: it is not even within our boundary." It is indeed within their boundary, as clearly shown on their concept plan, and they now have a road-grade trail within the fen. Mr. Johnson's comment leaves me simply scratching my head. Nor am I terribly pleased when Mr. Johnson says that while this is being done for the public good, there is no room for public input. I might add, a good portion of money for GCA/JFF work is public (eg. ACOA) funds. Also, improvements to such parks as Bowring & Bannerman Parks have involved extensive public/stakeholder consultation. The public includes many forms of opinion and expertise and the project could only be enriched by encouraging such input.

I very much appreciate your comments and the opportunity for open debate - which really is what this is all about.

best wish Resettled. Alison

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your response.

Port Anne is my new 'learn' for today : )

Name Changes

Onwards!

Resettled, but unsettled

Anonymous said...

Name Changes

Resettled, but unsettled