Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

RANKIN INLET
When a Rankin Inlet family decided it was time for a break, they took a year-long sabbatical away from the biting cold of the Arctic climate.

Isabella, Trudi and Tommy Bruce, front from left, enjoy the beautiful atmosphere at Cape Reinga, on the northernmost tip of New Zealand. - photo courtesy of Tommy Bruce

Tommy Bruce started his sabbatical during the first week of August 2011 and doesn't have to return to work until August of 2012.

He's joined on his adventure by his wife, Trudi, and daughter, Isabella.

Tommy said the family has moved around quite a bit since leaving Rankin.

He said he and Isabella spent about 24 days in Coral Harbour before heading off to join Trudi at his brother-in-law's home in Fraserwood, Man.

"We were using Fraserwood as our base, and I travelled to Toronto this past October to watch the Maple Leafs win their home opener 2-0," said Tommy.

"We let our younger daughter, Isabella, take a year off school, and she'll return to school this coming fall.

"My older daughter, Kayla, is in the Canada World Youth program with Savannah Pilakapsi of Rankin.

"She was in Abbotsford, B.C., for three months before travelling to Netishyn, Ukraine, this past December, where she'll be for another month."

Tommy said the highlight of their sabbatical, to date, was travelling to northern New Zealand.

He said the visit was something his family's not going to forget any time soon.

"We spent about a month there and got to go to Rua and Russell, which was the first capital of New Zealand.

"We spent our time on the North Island and didn't travel to the south area at all.

"It was summer while we were there, and the weather was really nice.

"We didn't get much rain, so we got to visit and enjoy all the best sites."

Tommy said he's not worried about getting back into the swing of things when his family returns to Rankin.

He said when the time comes, they just have to accept it's over and be ready to return.

"We actually met-up with Arsene and Chris Siksik while in New Zealand.

"They took us to the zoo, and we went to their home for lunch on our last day to say our goodbyes."

Tommy said Isabella was wearing her gymnastics hoodie while the family was

at 90 Mile Beach.

He said he could hardly believe when a lady asked if they were really from Rankin Inlet.

"It turns out she was in Rankin this past April and is very good friends with Rankin gymnastics instructor Lisa Kresky.

"New Zealand was a great experience because I wanted to be somewhere far away from a harsh winter for one time in my life.

"It was nice to see how the other half lives."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.