Photo courtesy of PANL VA92-103

Sometimes we went on the beach in March. There was patches of snow we'd have to walk between. I know what 'twas like on the beach Good Friday. Poor old Mrs. Matthews up the brook used to say, "The bells is ringing and only the good ones is going to church," and we was all on the beach at fish.

One year we got clear the last of our fish just before Christmas Eve. It was late in the fall - in October - when we got the last fish from Labrador. The schooners brought it in and they wanted to get it dried out. 'Twas some cold in November and December out on the open beach. And we only had an overall jacket to wear on over our clothes, 'cause they was stronger than our rubber clothes, and a pair of low rubber boots. I had the sleeve wore right out taking the fish they used to bring in to me.

One time when the schooner come in from Labrador with the fall fish, I said we should've had more for to suffer the cold. And I said, "Come on, Jenny Grant, I'm going over to Mr. Carr."

"No," she said, "I'm not going."

"Nobody going to come with me, what's wrong with you?" I said, "I'm going."

So when I went in the shop, I said to the girls, "Is there anyone in the office with Mr. Carr?"

And they said, "No." I had on me beach clothes, see, and me sunshade and they thought there was a stir up over on the beach.

I said, "Can I go in and see Mr. Carr?"