Winter is an opportunity to retreat and it is a time for contemplation. At least that is what I often hear. For me, this winter is a pretty active season. The manuscript of my latest crime novel “Cries from the Cold” is in the hands of my copy editor right now. I still hope that it will be published in May although Covid-19 has slowed down the process considerably. The e-book of my newest German mystery “Kalte Klippen” will be launched April 20. The paperback should be available in about a week. I am very looking forward to it!
Winter is also usually a busy time for socializing in my Newfoundland fishing village. It is a time when people visit other people, when they play darts at night or bingo or card games. During the day, they go snowmobiling, for fun or for cutting fire wood. In the summer, the fishermen don`t have much time for these social activities. Other people in the village are working seasonal jobs in the summer, mostly in the tourism industry. Covid-19 has disrupted this pattern.
Newfoundland initially had only very few virus cases and people could move around freely. But then, the province experienced an outbreak in the city of St. John`s a few weeks ago. The virus spread like wildfire and tough restrictions were imposed again. In the meantime, the situation has improved a lot but it is still not possible to visit other houses as we used to do. Social activities inside buildings are still restricted. But outside, we can frolic in the snow and enjoy the sunny days of which we had plenty this winter.
Normally, March/April are the months when polar bears are moving through the coastal villages. They follow the seals which is their main food. This winter, however, the ice in the North Atlantic has broken up and moved away. We can see open water from here. Seals and polar bears need the sea ice. It is very possible that we won´t see any polar bears this year. I had so hoped that I would be able to get some good pictures of these iconic animals. It looks more like that I will miss this opportunity and have to wait another year.
