Bernadette Calonego's Blog: Eventful - Posts Tagged "hiking"

I haven't published anything on my blog since February. A popular saying comes to mind: "I made plans, but life got in the way."
In my case, a long stay in my first home country Switzerland came in between and before that an unforgettable hiking holiday on Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands that belong to Spain. It had been a dream of mine for a long time to go hiking there. I had seen great pictures on social media, and my longing grew with every day.
After breaking my ankle last fall, I was also eager to see if I was fully fit again. I was pleasantly surprised with everything: my healed bone, the beauty of Tenerife, the varied, well-signposted hiking trails, the impressive Teide National Park with the volcano of the same name, and with the accommodation in the pretty town of Icod de los Vinos.
I also enjoyed the warm, sunny weather there, and it was only March!

Now I'm back in Newfoundland. While many people in Europe and other places complain about the heat wave, the summer in Newfoundland is very pleasant, if you accept cool rainy days from time to time. Heat is not for me (I would feel uncomfortable even in a sauna), I have become a "northern" person.

I have also reconciled myself a bit with the frequent wind because it keeps the mosquitoes away. I don't want to have to walk with a face net all the time. Part of my life in northern Newfoundland is the constant change of clothes - taking off clothes and putting on warmer (or cooler) layers. Onion look is the order of the day.

This year, I wondered how the political situation will affect tourism here. Will the Americans visit us after so many Canadians are staying away from the United States (for good reasons)? It is the end of July and the balance is positive so far. Americans are still coming, and many Canadians are now traveling around their own country.

For my favorite fisherman, summer means hard work above all. Today he got up at four o'clock in the morning and I don't expect him back until late evening. The cod he is currently fishing for is again plentiful. But he has to be careful not to overload his small boat and capsize.

It is not only on the ocean where serious accidents can occur. Speedy machines of all kinds are a popular pastime here. A young man recently died when he crashed his Sea-Doo into a boulder below the surface of a small lake. His death has shaken the locals.

Soon friends from Switzerland will arrive here, and I can't wait to show them the wild, rugged beauty of the area. There are not many museums here, it is mainly nature and friendly people. The contrast with Switzerland will be fascinating for my friends, I think.

Some book news: My latest Calista Gates mystery thriller has been translated and the next step is copy-editing. I hope to be able to publish "Dark Moon Island" at the end of November. Stay tuned!