Sometimes the sea delivers surprises as bright as capelin shining in summer sun. On just such a morning, as shoreline mist danced away from Holyrood’s South Arm, a remarkable character edged close—Marnie, the grand dame of the cove.

Folks on the beach in May 2020 didn’t need binoculars to spot her—Marnie was metres from shore, her back glinting with saltwater as she rolled with gentle confidence. Seagulls squabbled overhead, but Marnie barely noticed, thoroughly at home in those chilly blue waters.

Years fluttered by with hardly a whisper, as is the sea’s way. For a good while, not a fin nor fluke of Marnie showed near Newfoundland’s shores. Then, summer 2024 brought a bit of magic. On July 21st, an eager set of eyes caught sight of her by Long Point Island, certainly no sea ghost after all! Marnie looked just as steadfast, working the currents as if she’d never left.

And before anyone could put their tea down, word came again: Marnie had been spotted August 2nd up around Bonavista, drifting beneath those towering cliffs. She reminded everyone that even the most seasoned traveller might pop up where you least expect—drawn perhaps by the call of local capelin, or just the wild poetry of a Newfoundland summer.