Mine Quest in Bell Island

Adventurous people have arrived on this part of the island and are exploring the flooded parts of Bell Island's former iron ore mine, (by the way the biggest underwater mine of its time.)

Between Jan. 29 and Feb. 9, a team of international cave divers from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Egypt will carry out an exploration project in the abandoned and now flooded iron ore mines in Wabana, Bell Island.

The project follows an initial dive made last July and is mounted by Ocean Quest Adventure Resort of Conception Bay South, in association with the Bell Island Heritage Society. It will provide information on the integrity of the mine shafts underwater, hazards, artifacts discovered and overall suitability for establishing a full-time cave diving operation in the mine.

Quote from the Bell Island website,with lots of information about Bell Island's history.

Rick Stanley, whose brain child the exploration is, is owner and operator of Ocean Quest a Foxtrap based Newfoundland diving company.

The divers keep a nice blog with photos about their progress.

To get to Bell Island you have to take the ferry from Portugal Cove where someone has mounted a webcam on their deck which shows the ferry terminal and Belll Island in the background: Charlie's Deck.

January 2007 Social

If you were expecting pictures of our members in Lotus pose, rolling on their backs, or trying to balance themselves like flamingoes on one leg, then -well- then you will be bitterly disappointed.

We did have a lovely, relaxing morning at The Lantern with Sheila Leonards and Amy Krug (a Newcomers' member) as our instructors in Tai Chi Chih and Yoga, respectively. Despite the bad roads about 15 members made it to 35 Barnes Road and enjoyed socializing, meeting new and old members, and of course the well presented introductions to Tai Chi and Yoga. Everyone joined in the excercises and I believe that some have secretely renewed their resolutions to exercise more. (Well, at least I have. The editor.)

Since our venue, the Lantern, is located behind the Basilica Cathedral, I took one picture of the cathedral and one of Signal Hill from the cathedral's parking lot to give you a taste of what a gorgeous day this was in St. John's.







Sorry, for the temporary disappearance of the photos. I have no clue why this occurred. Hopefully these will stay put.

As an aside: Sheila's webpage is hosted at Envision, the "virtual resource centre for the voluntary sector".

New feature: Guestbook!

Dear readers, now you can sign our guestbook at the top of the sidebar.

New Website for Expatriate Women

Last week a new website for expatriate women was launched:

expatwomen.com

This is their welcome message:

Welcome to Expat Women – a new web site designed to help all expatriate women living outside of their home country. Whether you are a seasoned expat woman or this is your first experience living overseas, we have something for everyone. Our goal is to become the #1 site for Expatriate Women worldwide.

In case you would like to become a mentor for the area you are living in, contact Jill or Andrea from Expat Women via their website.

There are some useful links on expatwomen.com even for those who have relocated in their own country.

Another well known website of interest for newcomers is the worldwide directory of newcomer clubs NEWCOMERS AND MOMS CLUBS WORLDWIDE DIRECTORY.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit!
Akimashite Omedetto Gozaimasu!
Godt Nyttår!
Bonne Annee!
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
Ein gutes Neues Jahr!

(Mail us or add in the comments section New Year wishes in your language!)