It is so amazing to hear the memories people have of Bamfield. Thanks Laura for this lovely note!
I just wanted to drop a quick line to let you know that, through a distant connection of the Bamfield grapevine, I picked up a copy of Cedar, Salmon and Weed on my last visit to Canada a couple of weeks ago. I couldn’t put it down, I absolutely loved it! I read it in a couple of days and loaned it to my Dad who remembers Bamfield from the 70’s when he and my mum were together. In fact, one of Dad’s stories is how grandpa Peter used to flog him with the birch after the sauna – he was never sure if grandpa gave it a little extra juice just for him… I haven’t been to Bamfield since Grandma’s funeral but reading this reconnected me to my childhood there and all the wonder of west coast beaches (I laughed at the “wet coast”). Thanks for a great read anyways,
Grandville Island Publishing, Munro books, and Bard & Banker sponsored the book launch of Cedar, Salmon and Weed in Victoria, BC on Wednesday Feb 25th. A good time was had by all! A few photos of Louis at the book launch below for your enjoyment. See Facebook for more! (Photos courtesy of Marc Phillips.)
“There was something about being at the end of the road that attracted strange people… They came and, when the exotic became familiar, they departed, leaving their messes behind.”
Arial view of Bamfield inlet. Photo: Colin Bates
Why Bamfield, then and now? We all came to Bamfield for a reason: witness protection programs, avoiding alimony payments, lack of anything better to do, fishing. Is the Bamfield that attracted you the scene that sucked in the (us! Ouch, that hurts) old-timers? This blog explores that nebulous place, hopefully with your help.
Writing Cedar, Salmon and Weed tweaked my interest in portraying the Bamfield of old, or at least of the 1970s. Are there modern-day equivalents to the waxed oil stove, the drying rack dangling from the living room ceiling, the shelves of home canned tomatoes and salmon overlooking an army of black gumboots on the back deck, the ever ready cribbage board, the ashtray?
Consider the progress in our telephone service. In the 1970s, you dialed 3-33xx. For example, 3-3336 got you the Jennings. Today, thanks to technological advances, you dial 250-728-3336 to get the Jennings. In all fairness, progress is not all bad. Today Port Alberni is a local call (the reverse is not), whereas earlier it was long-distance. And make certain you have a plugged in telephone for those power outages.
The modern-day Bamfield power outage can result from a car accident or a downed tree anywhere on Bamfield Main, or some mishap in Port Alberni or beyond. In the 1970s Bamfield generated it own power and all outages resulted from local accidents. A tree shorted a power line; the obstacle was removed; the power switched back on … all by a local who wanted his power back …now.
We all have a Bamfield, then and now, in our lives, it might be in Northern Ontario, Southern California, or a hidden room in the basement. Let’s explore and share. (Use the comment box below.)
