Yesterday was one of those rare June days in St. John’s that feels like a small gift — bright sunshine, a soft 16 °C, and that familiar Newfoundland wind that never quite lets you forget where you are. I kept my sweater on, but for the first time this season, I was able to leave my coat unzipped and feel the warmth on my face. It was exactly the kind of day that makes you want to keep moving.

I had an appointment for bloodwork in the morning, and since the hospital isn’t far from my place, I decided to walk. At my slow-and-steady pace, it took about twenty minutes, which honestly felt good — a gentle warm‑up rather than a chore. The whole appointment went smoothly. No waiting room purgatory, no delays. I was in and out in about the same amount of time it took me to walk there. Moments like that remind me how grateful I am for NL healthcare. Sure, there are waitlists — I’m currently on one to get fitted for a shoe lift — but overall, I’ve been fortunate. And this morning I even got a call to book a follow‑up with my doctor next month to go over the results.

After leaving the hospital, I wandered down toward Water Street, drawn by the idea of checking out the Harbour in the sunshine. It happened to be around my husband’s lunch break, so I messaged him to say I was nearby. He popped out for a few minutes to meet me, and it was such a simple, lovely moment — just standing together in the middle of the day, watching the bustle of downtown before he headed back to work.

From there, I kept walking along Water Street, letting the sun and the music in my headphones set the pace. I stopped halfway to sit for a bit, which is when I took the photo above. The colourful rowhouses were glowing in the light — the kind of colours that always surprise tourists, but are home to me now.

I noticed that many of the patios are already set up, and restaurants are getting ready for the Pedestrian Mall to open soon. That’s one of my favourite parts of summer here: wandering through the closed‑off street, catching pop‑up performances, browsing the little markets, and just soaking in the energy of it all. It’s opening soon!

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Date: June 25 to September 7, 2026
Time: Noon to 10 p.m. daily
Location: Water Street (Adelaide Street to Prescott Street)

The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is full of surprises all summer long. Catch pop-up performances, explore Markets on Water, or enjoy community events in the heart of downtown. All free and open for everyone to enjoy!  Downtown Pedestrian Mall | City of St. John’s

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I even did a bit of window shopping as I made my way down Water Street — just wandering, pausing whenever something in a storefront caught my eye, letting myself enjoy the slow rhythm of the afternoon. Eventually, though, the pull of the ocean won out, as it always does, and I found myself heading toward the Harbourfront.

The moment I reached the water, I took a deep breath and let the smell of the Atlantic settle into me. There’s something grounding about that mix of salt, seaweed, and wind — like the coastline reminding you that you’re part of something older and steadier than whatever’s been on your mind. I even slipped my headphones off so I could hear everything around me: the gulls calling overhead, the hum of engines, the clank of metal on metal as crews worked on the ships, the low murmur of voices, and the steady slap of waves against the docks.

I happened to be there just as the Ocean Quest tour boat came back through the Narrows after its morning run. Watching it glide in, framed by those steep cliffs, felt like witnessing a tiny piece of the daily choreography of this place. The Harbour is alive this time of year — ships loading and unloading, crews calling to one another, tourists wandering with cameras, and locals moving through their routines like clockwork. There’s a kind of organized chaos to it all, and I love standing there in the middle of it, taking it in.

It’s one of my favourite things about living here: no matter how many times I visit the Harbourfront, there’s always something happening, always a new detail to notice, always a moment that makes me pause and appreciate where I am.

I eventually found a spot to sit on one of the pylons along the Harbourfront, letting myself just be for a bit. There’s something about that combination of sounds — the Harbour’s steady hum, the waves lapping against the deck, the creak of ropes, the distant clang of metal — that works like a reset button for my mind. It pulls me out of my thoughts and drops me right back into the present moment. Every time. It’s one of the reasons I keep returning to the water whenever I need to clear my head.

By the time I checked the clock, I realized I’d spent about two and a half hours wandering around downtown and the waterfront. I didn’t rush any of it. I just let the afternoon unfold, enjoying the atmosphere and the soundtrack coming through my headphones — a mix of Neil Diamond, Bread, and a few favourites from Rob Thomas and OneRepublic. It was the perfect backdrop for a slow, sun‑soaked stroll.

When my husband finished work, we met up and made a quick stop at the Mall before heading home. I’ll admit, I probably pushed myself a little more than I should have. By the time we got back, the stiffness and soreness had settled in, and I’m still feeling it today. But honestly? It was worth every step. Days like that feed something in me that’s been rebuilding for a while now.

While I was out, I got notifications that my bloodwork results had been posted on the MyHealth website. When I logged in later at home, I noticed several results marked as “abnormal.” And first thing this morning, my doctor’s office called to book an appointment to go over everything. I’m not going to speculate or jump to conclusions — that never helps. I’ll wait to sit down with my doctor and hear what it all means, but I know it means something and there is more health care in my future…

For now, I’m holding onto the good parts of yesterday: the sunshine, the ocean air, the colours of downtown, the music in my ears, and the feeling of being fully present in my own life again.

We all need a few hours like that, don’t you think?  What’s one small moment from your week that brought you unexpected joy?