Return to Fogo Island

After a trip to England in late April I'm now back in Canada - with an official work permit no less.

My next hurdle was getting to Fogo Island once I had landed in Gander.

The ice on and around Fogo Island has almost all melted, but it's been replaced by thick winter pack ice from the Labrador.

This ice broke the propeller off the regular ferry last week, then disabled the replacement ferry, and trapped even the icebreaker sent to relieve the small ferry. Now we have to wait until the wind changes and the ice moves along its way.

Since the ferry service is deemed an 'essential Government service' they are required to run air craft service to the Island - for the same cost as the ferry. That would be free to get on the Island, and $2.50 for a foot passenger to leave the Island!

So there's a small plane running from Gander, and a helicopter running from Farewell, an hours drive closer to the Island and where the ferry departs from. I opted to drive to Farewell thinking my car would at least then be easier to retrieve when the ferry starts to run again. 

Bad idea. The helicopter can only hold four people, and make three runs - two to Fogo Is and one to Change Is - before it must return to Gander to refuel which takes two hours. Many people had been waiting in Farewell for 36 hours so I was way at the back of the line. Having wasted five hours on that option, I drove back to Gander, hoping to catch the last plane that day.

Lucky me. I was the only passenger on the 7pm plane and was treated to a view of the ice, the trapped icebreaker, and the Island from the air.

So now I'm back with the happy dogs, and trying to catch up with all that has happened in my absence.

The Island looks really different having shed its winter coat - I even found some Partridgeberries up on the hill which were delicious!