Our good friend, big fan, and renowned Newfoundland artist Bud Vincent recently shared this picture on our Facebook page (check out a fun slideshow of his work here). And, given this scene he captured, he wondered if we could believe it’s March! Thankfully, this picture was NOT taken in the Wonderful World of Whiteway where, despite a tough winter, we actually haven’t been hit too badly with snow. Just another reason to come take advantage of our Winter Specials while you still can!
Cruise Ship WWW
I blog a lot about sunsets. Not enough about our beautiful sunrises here in Newfoundland. Because in early morning as the sun climbs over Whiteway Mountain and shines on Shag Rock I take my pew in front of the big window and look out the bay. Ever grateful for having found this place of places.
Sometimes, looking out over the bay, I feel like I am on some great cruise as I hear the waves and see only the ocean stretch in front of me. Although I have not left the shore it feels that I am on some great journey. And I’m happy to share this view with the 4 cabins besides me.
I was never one to be tied up in some safe harbour – it has always been the high seas for me. Where this Cruise Ship WWW will take me I know not. We’ve had our share of storms with no doubt many more to come. For mine is not to rest but to explore and find new things trying to find myself. Anchors away!
The Spring Hare Count Down is On – Artists and Photographers Needed
It won’t be long before the snow melts, the flowers start blooming, and, our favourite Spring tradition of all, the Spring Hare descends on the Wonderful World of Whiteway. The Spring Hare is already looking for Artists and Photographers to submit their work – consider yourself invited!
Future Chapel
We have big plans for The Doctor’s House and the Baccalieu Trail. We’ve been blessed with this amazing natural resource created by Nature and Dr. and Mrs. Boddie (our namesakes). And we’re continuing to grow, bringing in human resources to match our natural ones.
One of our plans is to convert this barn into a wedding chapel. Our vision: a bride will arrive at this chapel on a horse drawn carriage (currently available), get married in the chapel – or the bridal garden – or the house – or the Barn Loft – and then celebrate her reception here, too.
So here is the pony barn slated for conversion. We’ll be modelling it after a beautiful one a friend found in Scotland. Stay tuned as we unveil more and more of our plans – including our Fine Dining plans for this year. We’re opening soon, and we can’t wait!
Devotion Show a Success
What an amazing day we had at the Devotion Bridal Show. All said, 509 brides attended this annual event, and it’s possible Jerry talked to all of them! We know he gave out all our lovely brochures, met some other vendors and, most importantly, had a wonderful time meeting so many happy brides. Looks like the word is getting out about Weddings at The Doctor’s House, and we couldn’t be happier!
Destination Development Plan
You may remember that I am the Director of the Legendary Coast of Eastern Newfoundland. Well, late last week I met with other directors, as well as people from Tourism Culture and Recreation, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, Business Culture Tourism and Rural Development, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. We identified tourism priorities for the province and worked on our Destination Development Plan. It was a very productive day with some very intelligent, motivated individuals.
Over the years Laurelyn and I have become very passionate about developing tourism in a sustainable way and sharing this beautiful province we have with the world. People come to Newfoundland and Labrador for our Culture and People, for Nature and Wilderness, and History and Heritage.
So we spent the day trying to figure out how to best to deliver on all of this and how to engage all the stakeholders such that our visitors’ experiences and expectations are not only met, but exceeded.
One of the themes that stuck with me was based on the quotation by C.S. Lewis: “ You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” I think he wrote that for me. Working in the tourism industry has been a new learning experience that I value highly.
As Thomas Watson said, “To be successful you have to have your heart in your business and your business in your heart.” And the Wonderful World of Whiteway and The Doctor’s House are most certainly in the my heart. Please stay tuned to the blog here, as I’ll be sure to keep sharing more about how we are helping develop tourism for our wonderful province.
Sunset Sunday: Simply Awesome
Need we say more? Today it’s off to the Devotion Wedding Show at the Glacier (11-4pm – come say hi!). And hopefully home to see more of Nature’s Prime Time Show over Shag Rock tonight.
Budding Saturday: Trinity East
If you’re not following Bud Vincent on Facebook, you should be. We’ve been sharing his images on this blog for years now (you’ll also find many of his pictures on this website, too), and we’re still constantly amazed as his eye. This is a home in Trinity East that he apparently enjoys photographing a lot. We can see why, and we’re sure you can see why we wanted to share it on this Saturday. Enjoy!
Devotion Show This Weekend!
Here’s your last reminder – the Devotion Wedding show is this weekend! We’ll be there with bells on, and hope to see you there. It’s at the Glacier this Sunday, from 11-4pm, and don’t worry – they’ve got over 300 parking spaces. Come down, see if you’ll win one of the $20,000, and make your wedding planning easy. See you soon!
Spay Day
Mimi and Shadow – 2 out of count-em 4 cats who have AGREED to live with us – have just been spayed. They’re outdoor cats, so it was imperative they get the operation before the Spring – they’re already itching to get out. They found it a little stressful, of course, but they’re doing well, healing well, and ready to get back to their regularly scheduled hunting and playing. Next up on the spay schedule: Monkey and Zoe!