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On the road to Kay’s Chalet Bed and Breakfast, my driver Cathy takes me through the city and points out the Masonic Temple, The Majestic Theatre, and the bubble (ask a local.)

That’s when I learn that she and I share a mutual love of the environment.

I learn more. Ms. Parsons graduated with a degree in environmental studies from the university here at MUN. Currently in between contract jobs with various environmental agencies, she decided to volunteer for the festival.

We, the delegates, are very happy she (and the 67 other volunteers) did.

Still lamenting my lost luggage holding my computer cables, battery chargers, and walking shoes, Cathy tells me her story of loss, and how whilst embarking on worm composting, she lost 2 lbs of red wigglers - the cadillac of worms - in her apartment.

I tell her it could happen to anyone, really.

The drive down the highway of the Irish Loop towards Lamanche is beautiful. We are heading towards Kay Williams B&B, located on Hell Hill Pond. Kay had heard about Sue Kenney and the pilgrims’ planned walk through the East Coast Trail and very graciously offered them her home to stay. I want to leave my laptop there, so I can join Sue on the walk with less to carry.

When we arrive at Kay’s door, I knock. Cathy, 2 feet behind me says “go right in.” I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly, until Cathy stepped in front of me, opened the door, and..well…walked right in.

Kay was not taken aback in the least. Immediately she put on some tea and put out a lovely spread of homemade pecan tarts, cherry cake, crackers and cheese. Mmmm.

The place is just the coziest thing with the most gorgeous view of the pond, which is what they call lakes around here. The grounds are adorned with three levels of decks, swings and hammocks, and a fish pond.

Outside, rain starts to fall. It didn’t take me long to decide that I’d rather be inside Kay’s warm home than walking the trail in my only set of clothes.

Cathy and Kay get along like a house on fire. Cathy tells Kay that her mother shares the same name as her, and that her sister is called Rhonda, just like Kay’s oldest daughter. Kay tells Cathy it’s unacceptable that she hasn’t tried cod tongues yet. I nod.

The place smells great. Kay is cooking braised pork chops for us, and has made the most delicious lemon meringue pie for dessert. Unfortunately she can’t stay. She is off to play the Newfoundland card game “Action” at her sister’s.

When the pilgrims give us a call, we go off to pick them up at the side of the road. We find them wet and cold but mostly stressed due to Gail, the Newfoundland and something else mixed-breed mutt vying for the “stupidest dog in the universe award.” She has been following them for the last 2 1/2 hours, and running out regularly onto the road and into the screeching tires of oncoming traffic, much to the horror of our pilgrims.

Back home the walkers shower and warm up. We eat up the yummy pork and lick up every bit of sauce, while meeting and greeting and exchanging stories and dreams of what we want to do when we grow up. If you see Anita, tell her its not too late to be a doctor. Not too late at all.

Surprisingly, I am the first one off to bed, since the night before I had only an hour of sleep. But please don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.

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Tags: Cathy Parsons, St. John’s International Women’s Film Fest, Kay’s Bed and Breakfast, Newfoundland pilgrims, Las Peregrinas, red wigglers

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