Category: Daily Blog

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Smell the Rose

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Here’s me trying out my new skills on a rose I gave The Berry (what, me, a die-hard romatic?). I think it looks pretty good!

And who says you can’t work and play hard? That’s what we’ve been trying to do at least. Learning the ropes, getting everything operational, commandeering the A Wake at Last, dealing with the busy summer season – we knew it would be a lot of work, but maybe not as much work as it’s been. So there’s only one way to deal with craziness around you, and that’s by carving out time for yourself. That’s why every day The Berry and I make sure we have a little ‘us’ time, even if it’s just taking a moment to smell the (sometimes literal) roses. And that’s why despite the workload, I still find time to enjoy the hammock my daughter gave me for Father’s Day. Today’s Saturday, so I hope your weekend, even if eventful, has a few quiet minutes for you to recharge your batteries!

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Happy 25th!

This happy couple are wonderful guests Tony and Valda from Marysvale, whom we were happy to welcome to our Osprey cottage for their 25th anniversary. What a great couple they are – and what a milestone! We sent over flowers and cards and, of course, took them out for a spin on the A Wake at Last.

We almost didn’t make it out. I’m going to start sounding like a broken record here (or, maybe I’ll just sound like I have a broken boat!), but this time around we needed to replace two props and – you guessed it – it was neighbour and friend Alf yet again who helped get us operational. And operational she was – taking us out to Shag Rock at 60 km/hour!

Happy Anniversary again to Tony and Valda – we’re honoured to have been part of your celebrations!

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Rough Guides

Last weekend we had the pleasure of welcoming Stephen Keeling, an author for Rough Guides, the UK travel guide publisher, to our cottages. What a great guy! We had fun taking him out to Shag Rock, having Iceberg beer on the deck, and going to Brown’s for awesome fish and chips.  Stephen also met Clifford George, the ultimate Whiteway ambassador, at the Heart’s Content Cable Museum (Cliff’s there painting).

Stephen’s fellow guests at the Puffin (Angie, Gene, Mikayla and Matthew, also all great!) were looking for some fresh fish, and when Clifford heard about it, he offered up some – and even drove it out since I couldn’t (see? ultimate ambassador!).

When we dropped Stephen off, there was fresh cod and cod tongues waiting on the stove. And a beautiful sunset to match! And all were happy to their Heart’s Delight!

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Whiteway Days

We’ve had some great experiences with guests lately that I can’t wait to write about, but with my love of the Wonderful World of Whiteway I’d be remiss if I didn’t share something The Berry and I are very excited about – the upcoming Whiteway Days, starting this Sunday. This year we’ll be celebrating not only 100 years of Whiteway Days, but also a Come Home Year, so we think it is going to be extra special. Also extra special because this will be our first!

Starting this Sunday, July 22 (also my youngest daughter’s birthday!), community activities will run to to the following Saturday. Here’s the events planned:
July 22 – Mummer’s Parade, Music and Fireworks on the Beach – not to be missed!
July 23 – Pot Luck Dinner, ‘History of Whiteway’ slideshow
July 24 – Magic Show, Afternoon Tea and Bake Sale, Evening Hypnotist Show (should be a laugh)
July 25 – Pancake/Toutons Breakfast, Kids’ Activities, Old Fashioned Bingo
July 26 – Family Golf Tournament, Jigs’ Dinner and Screen-In for CFAs (that’s Come-from-Aways, ie, Non-Newfoundlanders!)
July 27 – Fishing Contest (got to get my brother in on that one!), Dory Races, Adult Fun Night
July 28 – Community Breakfast, Horseshoe Tournament, Go-Kart Races, Games and Competitions, Evening Adult Dance featuring Heartland Band
July 29 – Folk Festival, Art Show, Car Show

If there’s anything I’ve learned since coming out to Whiteway, it’s that our neighbours are creative, caring, fun-loving people, so I cannot wait to celebrate this little town with them. Hopefully we’ll see some blog-readers out there, too – it’ll be fun!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Devon or Bust

I have to give it to them – my humans are doing wonders for my health out here in the Wonderful World of Whiteway. Here I am sunning myself after a refreshing dip in some fresh water off Jimmy Rowe’s Walking Trail (not sure who this Jimmy is? He never seems to be around whenever we’re there!).

My humans also feed me a lamb and rice diet. That plus these wicked (good) Omega 3 supplements, and my coat doesn’t just shine, it glistens. My pads are getting harder, and I have more energy than ever.

All this to say that I hope I made a good first impression on my neighbour, Devon (there we are, below). She’s certainly not without her charms. I hope she likes the strong, silent type!

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Happy Guests = Happy Jerry

If you follow this blog you know I rave about this new life and all the opportunities to meet new people. Here’s another perfect example – our wonderful guests Gail and Rhonda, two fun and fun-loving gals we recently hosted. They loved the Blueberry Cottage – with all its color coordinating and complementary accents, it is a warm and inviting place. And they took to calling me and Joe Friday, ‘Buddy Wasisname and the other fella’ – too perfect.

Of course I had to take Gail and Rhonda for a ride and picnic on the A Wake at Last. I wanted their week to be ‘freedom plus’ from all the stress of the city – and I think it was. They told us they didn’t want to leave! I told them we have long term rentals!Shag Rock or bust!

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Sunday Church Blogging: Zion Pentecostal

 

This is a pleasant first in my Sunday Church Blogging series – Zion Pentecostal in New Harbour is the first Pentecostal church I’ve showcased. And it’s about time! As The Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador explain on their website, Alice Belle Garrigus (from Connecticut) brought Pentecostalism to St. John’s in 1911, and the movement has had a rich and important history since then. A very important part of our island’s faith community, indeed!

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But Who Can Resist?

In St. John’s the other day, I couldn’t resist a stop into McDonalds for my favourite breakfast, an egg mcmuffin with some juice and coffee. It’s a rare treat these days, as there are only 3 McDonalds in Whiteway (or, was that, none?). They might want to rethink the above sign though – very misleading!

Fast food indulgences notwithstanding, I feel great, despite the copious amounts of red wine and good food – lots of physical work and little mental strain make for a health body. The doctors are amazed; they tell me I have the blood pressure of a teenager, the strength of a lion, and the mental capacity of a two year old.

So, when I am in St. John’s (as little as possible) it doesn’t hurt to splurge. At least, that’s what I tell the Berry!

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Foxy Friday, Part II

After seeing my previous Foxy Friday post, my daughter decided to help my blog out by sending me these gorgeous shots she got of the gorgeous little fox who likes to visit revelers on the gorgeous Ferryland Lighthouse Picnics. I’m not sure how much of a regular this little guy (or girl?) is, but he visited my daughter on her visit, and I’ve seen him on a separate trip. And he’s not shy!The Ferryland Lighthouse Picnic is about an hour outside St. John’s (where we have our newly introduced apartment now on offer), 2 from the cottages, and on a sunny day I couldn’t recommend it highly enough for a daytrip – the food is exquisite, the location divine. And you can see the archaeological dig of the 1621 Colony of Avalon while you’re at it.

Although of course if you’re are the cabins and you’d like to stay more local, just ask and we can recommend some good picnic spots nearby! (And P.S., we have a few spots left for our last-minute walk-in special this weekend – just FYI!)

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Newfoundland Golden Connection

It was The Berry who found Murphy – I didn’t think I wanted a dog. But Murphy is doing his best to change that. He is sweet, gentle, affectionate, playful, beautiful – every good thing a dog should be.Did you know that Goldens come from a combination of Irish Setters, Tweed Water dogs, several other retrievers, and the now extinct (but similar to the Newfoundland) St. John’s water dog. Imagine – a mix of Newfoundland and Irish Setter – his previous owner, little 4 year old Lucas, picked out the perfect name for him.

And no wonder he has a personality to die for – he has Newfoundland genes!

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