Author: oceandelight

I still have some Allison George shots to share, but since we’ve been hit with Sheilagh’s Brush, I thought I’d share this beauty Bud Vincent just sent me. It’s the Barn Loft and Gift/Craft Shop in Clarenville. He did it in ‘pencil sketch mode.’ How these brilliant Newfoundland artists do anything is a mystery to me! Happy Saturday!

Look at this beauty Shirley George just sent me. It’s a billy goat, taken about 45-50 years ago in Heart’s Content. As much of the old ways as have stayed in small town Newfoundland, I’m sure things were quite different back then. Stay tuned to this blog – I’ve got some new ideas in the works and am hoping to use it as a platform to showcase Newfoundland history and culture.

Of course when you’re away from home, what you miss the most are the people – or the animals you love like people. Here’s Laurelyn reunited with Monty. It’s a beautiful shot captured at Clifford George’s place by by Joelle Carey. They’re doing research on the Newfoundland pony – stay tuned as I’d love to share more with you!

Turns out Whiteway’s own appointed faerie and free spirit, Lisa Day, also has a way with words. She helps us out in so many ways, why not help us out with a blog post! She recently sent me these beautiful words in an email:

“It’s March, the long, lean, hungry month of March. We’re pining, longing, pulling, weeping, crying, laughing, cajoling.

It’s March, the month of madness and mania, we’re all infected with spring fever, a devilish virus. We’re tired of snow, ice, and being dulled, held down and blanketed by grey skies even the strongest of pillars would tire from holding.

It’s March, we’re mad, completely mad, dog gone made, we don’t make sense we just spin… And spin….and spin…”

Well, I guess if you’re going to spin, Lisa’s the one to spin with!

Now, of course I loved spending extra time with Joe Friday – who doesn’t? – and it was great to get to know Molly a little better, but nothing’s sweeter than homecomings and getting your family back. I’m so happy that Jerry and The Berry had the quality time relaxing that they needed, but even more, I am so happy that they are HOME!

Well, after some long flights and short nights we finally made it home to the Wonderful World of Whiteway late Friday night. It was a great feeling, walking in for the first time, after being away for so long. And Joe Friday made it even better.

He had a big ‘Welcome Home” sign up and a big pot of moose stew on. And Murphy was smiling and so excited to see us (we thought he might have forgotten us – I think not!).

We chatted with Joe about the winter, and all the snow he shoveled; I think we’ll call him Joe Svelte – you should see the shape he is in. We talked about the wonderful job he did and all our plans (well, at least some of them) we have for the summer coming up and the next several years.

And then the most comfortable bed in the world that wrapped itself around us. And I had the best night’s sleep since we left! It’s been a great weekend since, because truly – there’s no place like home!

A little while ago I had fun researching and publishing a blog post on the Newfoundland – Ireland connection, so I felt inspired to read a little more about this unique history. And today seems like the perfect day to share it! I hope you’re celebrating responsibly (that’s why our cottages are great – no need for a designated driver!) and living it up. I know we’re happy to be back home on The Rock for this one!

Turns out we have lots to celebrate: according to Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage at MUN, “the Irish migrations to Newfoundland, and the associated provisions trade, represent the oldest and most enduring connections between Ireland and Canada.”  Beginning in 1675, seasonal and temporary Irish migrants joined English fishing vessels to work our shores.  At its peak in the late 1700s, this migration saw 5,000 Irish men coming over a year. Note that these migrants might sometimes overwinter for a year or two, but ultimately returned to Ireland.

Young Irish women, is smaller numbers, joined the migration, often married to overwintering migrants. This eventually led to Irish migrants settling in Newfoundland permanently, forever changing the culture of this island. Between 1800-1835, this immigration and settlement increased, so that in a 1836 census, half the population of Newfoundland was Irish. Most lived in St. John’s.

So where in Ireland were these settlers from? Mostly Waterford and it’s surrounding areas, namely Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork and Waterford. Again, according to this great article at Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage (if you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend checking out that link!) “no other province in Canada or state in America drew such an overwhelming proportion of their immigrants from so geographically compact an area in Ireland over so prolonged a period of time.”

They came mostly because of economic hardship at home, they were mostly Catholic, they were usually quite young (between 18-25), they worked hard, they changed the scope of our culture and history, and we raise a glass to them! And stay tuned, I’m enjoying exploring the history and culture of Newfoundland, and I’ll be sharing more!

Well, we are home and we are TIRED. Out itinerary for our journey home from Belize was, shall we say, not the most direct. But we’re here, and happy to share some of Allison George’s beautiful Newfoundland photography – this time of some of our island’s beautiful inhabitants. Please remember we’re always looking to share beautiful Newfoundland images if you have them, and don’t forget our Stay in and Stay Warm package is available til the end of March!

The other day I blogged about some traditional Newfoundland food, and we often talk about how great a chef Joe Friday is. Looks like his homemade baked beans are no exception – Clifford clearly enjoyed them! Here’s hoping he has some left when we’re back home this weekend!

Well, we have said our good-byes, to the beach, to the palm trees, to the adventure. It rained out our last day and we sat on the deck and had a most wonderful hour listening to rain drops and sipping on some wine, talking about our vacation and all that we had learned.

We’ve surfed, kayaked, swam in the ocean, picnic-ed, dined under the stars, met some wonderful people and befriended, fed, bathed and given medicine to several stray beach dogs. We’ve enjoyed the chance to relax and spend quality alone time together. We’ve also been working a lot, too – and learned quite a bit about how to strike a healthy and still efficient work-life balance, that we hope to bring home with us.

We actually have a few days of travel with some long layovers, so don’t expect us in the Wonderful World of Whiteway just yet. But really, my heart never fully left home. I’ve been all over the world, and the more I travel, the more I’m convinced that Newfoundland – and the Baccalieu – are true gems. But if you’ll indulge me one last time, here’s some shots of our tropical paradise.

And if you’re still reading, remember we have a few spots open for St. Pat’s weekend, and there’s still a few weeks left to take advantage of our winter specials. Come join us!