The Icelandic Canadian - 01.08.2002, Page 15

Vol. 57 #1
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
13
He has been to Hong Kong. He has seen
where the prison camps were and where
the battles were held. It is a proud but
tragic part of Canada’s history. He has
had a warm and wonderful relationship
with the members of the HK Veterans
Association of which he is also a member.
As well as playing his piano for
solace, Neil reads biographies and
Icelandic literature and keeps in condition
by walking three miles four times a week.
Neil and Annette share a lovely home
in Husavik with a large enough yard for
Annette to keep her Icelandic horse.
Their home is called “Svartakot,” after the
birthplace of Neil’s afi, Arinbjorn, which
was located in Iceland in BarSardalur,
south of Husavik. As well as his two sons,
they have two grandchildren, of whom
they are very proud, Catherine Eirika and
Arinbjorn Stefan. They are anticipating
the arrival of their third grandchild in the
new year.
Neil has spent many hours in his car
driving visitors, especially to the Interlake
district where he loves to show them the
historical sites. He thoroughly enjoys the
opportunity to have the one to one rela-
tionship that this time together affords.
Personally, I cherish the three hours or so
that I spend with my nephew as he drives
me to Torrablot in Arborg every spring.
To me, my nephew may always be
“little Neil,” but I know that to all of our
family, to all of his many friends and to
the hundreds of people who turn to him
in their time of need, he looms tall as a
tower of strength, wisdom and compas-
sion.
Erik, Annette, Neil and Jon Bardal, taken at the Hotel Fort Garry in Winnipeg on August 4, 2000.