Back from Woody Point, and what a great experience. The festival itself is a top-notch affair, of course, with readings (Lisa Moore, Greg Malone) and performances (Anita Best & Sandy Morris, Ron Hynes), on-stage interviews (Sheilagh Rogers & Michael Crummey), firehall breakfasts and wrap parties and everything in between. Not to mention that the weather was so gorgeous people were swimming in the ocean. I think my own personal highlight was on the last evening, as Duane Andrews was playing. I quietly left during his last song, to arrange myself near the door of the bookstore/craftshop/bar, all the better to greet patrons with a smile and a complimentary NQ - and there was a flash of lightening and a crash of thunder and the lights went out. "They're gone all around the sound," a man said, looking out the window. Duane Andrews kept playing. He didn't miss a beat.

(Image: radio3.cbc.ca.)