Category: Daily Blog

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Bingo Calling

Before coming to the Wonderful World of Whiteway, I hadn’t played Bingo in about 45 years, I think. And even here, game night was starting to fade, and there was talk of shutting it down. There was talk, that is, until Hilda, The Queen of Bingo herself, got actively involved. She found ways to cut expenses and promote it, even volunteering to call it herself.

We went a night she was calling, Laurelyn made $20, and we had a lot of fun – so much so we went back the week after. This time, LL was one number away from winning the $500 jackpot. I’m almost glad she didn’t win – she likes to brag when she beats me. Luckily, that never happens … OK! OK! Maybe it happened once during the fishing season … OK! OK! Maybe it was every time she went out with me! I let her win!

But bingo is back, and Hilda and her rescue committee are to be congratulated. They play every Wednesday at the Rec Centre from 8:30 – 10 PM. Come have some fun.

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Tuesdays With Murphy: In the Doghouse

I hope I haven’t given the impression that just because I live in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, it’s all fun and games out here. I can’t leave my humans alone for 5 minutes without them coming up with some new special project that, of course, I have to supervise. Take The Berry (a.k.a. Miss Kijiji), whose dalliance with online bargain shopping led us to one of our more recent work days – setting up the dog house.

When Jerry, Joe and Alf backed in the trailer, I knew it was ‘go’ time – these men can’t be expected to supervise themselves! Of course, the humans are calling this 6X6 from Mount Pearl a ‘shed,’ but I know what it really is …. four small walls, small roof, set outside in viewing distance from the house – that’s a doghouse if I ever saw one. Maybe it’s a bit bigger than the standard, but I’ve already seen Jerry ‘in the doghouse’ more than once. But not to worry, gentlemen – if your time in the doghouse starts becoming more literal than figurative, you’ll know I’ll be right along beside you to keep you company!

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Love is in the (Ocean) Air

We had another first here at the cottages, of the best kind. Corey proposed to Amanda while staying in The Gannet, and she said ‘yes’ – and we couldn’t be happier for them. We felt blessed to be involved in the process in even a small way. Corey and Amanda were clearly made for each other, their smiles bigger than the diamond, their obvious love for each other making the mood here sweet and electric at the same time. Am I rambling? Don’t blame me – blame it on the young love!

While it’s too early to have set a date yet, we wish Corey and Amanda all the best and hope to see them back. They’ll at least have to send us some wedding photos! 

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Oh! The Sunsets

I’ve already blogged about how my ‘church’ is Nature, specifically watching the sun set, specifically watching the sun set over the ocean. I think it’s the same for The Berry. I got this beautiful shot of her looking out at the sunset in wonder, awe and reflection. I thought it perfectly captured the moment – full of natural beauty (she gets that from her mother), strength and determination (which I hope I share with her). She puts me in mind of Mary from Random Passage (and, if you haven’t seen this movie, you must if you want to know who we Newfoundlanders are as a people).

We are grateful for all that the summer has brought and the lessons learned (we’re now rated number one in hotels in the province on TripAdvisor), but it’s been a lot of hard work. Hard work, and fun, too. We’re a little older, a lot wiser, and looking forward to things slowing down a bit so we can begin planning for our future. And continue enjoying our view every evening.

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Check Out Time

I guess Murphy can’t let a guest go without saying goodbye, so here I am with guest Kim Sparkes as she checks out with her friend, Rob. And what a sweet, hard-working guest she was. Kim is the creator, owner and operator of Whink on Duckworth Street, in St. John’s. She does all her own graphics and promotion, and takes care of everything from buying to pricing to selling to managing. It’s a stunning store, and her website should be up soon – when it is, we’ll let you know.

Of course, The Berry, being a marketer, was impressed with all the creative and superlative work she’s done. But we were both more impressed with her wonderful personality. That’s why it’s fun being a Happy Hotel Manager – you never know what guests will walk through your door!

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Little Story, ’bout Wayne and Diane

We’re grateful for all our guests, of course, and usually get a chance to have a little chat with most of them, even if they’re only staying for a short while. But it’s always especially nice when we get people who stay for awhile – they literally do start to feel like family, and it’s fun seeing them around all the time. Take Wayne and Diane, who spent two weeks at The Puffin. I never saw them without a smile on their faces, which always put a smile on mine.   They took day trips, had family and friends over, had fires and ate outside, and even joined us for our deep-fried turkey on the beach. How’s that for really getting the Ocean Delight welcome?

Here they are with their son, Chris, and his girlfriend Sheila, enjoying a mug-up.  We were sorry to see them go, but they promise to come back next year – and that’s a promise we might have to make sure they keep!

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Bogged Down

Since I rarely get the chance to use our ATV these days, I leave it at our Heart’s Delight cottages for guests to use to explore the back country (lots of it out this way). Many have enjoyed it. The most recent, maybe a bit too much – leading to another Ocean Delight adventure (I’m ALMOST getting too old for this!)

So the last person to use the ATV was Sean, visiting from Ontario. He went exploring after a night of heavy rain, and it wasn’t long before the bogs of Newfoundland wrapped themselves around the young man and held on tight.

Sean was alright of course, but what about the ATV? She had to be rescued from her muddy grave, so Sean’s Dad, Wayne, and his relative, Neville, set out with me, Murphy, and some ropes to do the job. We saved the day, and it if it looks like we’re having fun, it’s because we were – boys will be boys! Of course, we never would have managed if Murphy wasn’t there to supervise and bark out orders!

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The Wind!

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Here’s a first for Jerry by the Sea – I’m letting our guest, Chuck take the wheel. That’s because he sent me a video of yesterday’s storm, with a caption attached …. and I think he sums up what it was like better than I do! Chucks’s an engineer turned dentist, with obviously a whole lot of writer in him.

Anyway, enough from me – I hope you all weathered the storm, and here’s Chuck’s email (with a big thanks!):

“Surf is up!  Leslie has turned into just a lot of wind, but it is atomizing the tops of the white caps and sending sheets of salt spray racing across the bay at speeds of 60-70 mph.  The noise is not deafening, but it is like the alternating sounds of a banshee and the moaning whine of a flock of jet planes at treetop level, but not directly overhead.  I tried to step out on the porch to take a photo, got my shot after some wrestling with the railing.  When I grabbed the door knob to come back in, realized I had been blown to the next cabin downwind.  By getting down low and clawing my way back, grabbing fists full of grassy clumps, I did return to our cabin.  Not sure the photo was worth it; it would be so much more meaningful if you could experience it in person.  I will send this and you can be the judge…”

So now you be the judge – Chuck could do his own blog, couldn’t he!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Murphy Babysits

This young lad enjoying a dip in the Atlantic Ocean is Phoenix, a very frisky four-legged who owns Jerry’s niece, Robin – he brought Robin here last week thinking she’d like to spend a night around the bay with her parents (I think he was right!). Only 3 months old, Phoenix was full of energy (almost too much)- thankfully, I am renowned for my patience and was able to babysit him all day.

And it’s a good thing I took him under my wing, too. At one point, brazenly trying to follow me on my walk around the cliffs of Whiteway, he wandered too close to the edge (as all young things are wont to do) and fell over. Thankfully I was there to show him the way back to safety – and he never left my side the rest of the visit.

So, I gave him a swimming lesson, and he took to the water like a natural – maybe not up to my retriever standards, but I’m sure much more so then that Mabel. Anyway, I was happy to show Phoenix the Whiteway ropes and I hope he’ll come back soon to play with me again – every puppy needs a mentor, and I think I’m just the one.

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Kayaking in Trinity Bay

We had two kayakers stay with us last week – Art and Don, both engineers, both from St. John’s. And they’re both my age or older, but you’d never think that looking at them – making me wonder if I should take up this sport! Anyway, they told us that this is a great place for kayaking – you can even go right through Shag Rock.

The Berry and I are thinking about getting canoes and kayaks to rent for next summer. Obviously I’ll let you know if we do!

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