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We are unique — or weird

The Parsons, however, were not eligible to vote on resettlement because they have not lived in the town long enough. Although Michael grew up there, he lived in Ontario for 22 years before moving back to the town two years ago, and Georgina is from a region closer to St. John’s. They expect some of their neighbours to return each summer, but for the sake of adventure and love of the abandoned island, the Parsons will stay the winter.

“I have no concept of boredom,” says Michael, 52. “It’s always been a dream of mine to live in a remote area … I never thought for a moment that it would be in my hometown of Little Bay Islands.”

As a child, Michael explored the caves and coves of the island, a 30-minute ferry ride from Pilley’s Island and connection to mainland road network. His father was a fisherman, but Michael left after he graduated high school (in a class of seven students) to Memorial University of Newfoundland. He worked for a California-based software company until he retired at age 49, and he has two grown sons. Georgina worked as an accountant, and they lived northwest of Ottawa, where the pair was also often isolated.

“I can honestly tell you, in 10 years, we’ve never even really had a fight,” says Georgina. “We are unique — or weird.”

Photo by Emerald Zone Corporation/Regional Economic Development Board/File

In Newfoundland, she has friends on the mainland who like to play cards and board games, but she rarely visits them now. “It’s a big treat if I leave and I can go to Tim Hortons,” she says.

The couple has spent $50,000 to prepare for the winter. They recently moved to a newly built house with reliable insulation. They installed a solar power system and propane and wood stoves, as well as a “good old-fashioned clothesline,” Michael says. They will need to check the weather forecast before doing laundry to ensure they can hang it outside on the line.