Oceanfront cottages on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula
Our goal of ripening our Whiteway cottage The Partridgeberry from green to this lovely red colour got put off this weekend, due to some stormy weather. But thankfully we didn’t get hit with a snowstorm yesterday (yes, that was a subtle dig at you St. John’s townies!) so we were back at it. Here’s The Berry (Laurelyn) ripening the Berry – quite the pretty picture!
We are so loving getting involved in the Whiteway community and Saturday was another example of all the great things happening out here. The great Brown’s Restaurant sponsored an event that raised $4000 for Camp Douwanna, a camp in Bishop’s Falls for children with diabetes. The representative for the Canadian Diabetes Association informed us that our province has the highest per capita incidence of diabetes in the world – research is pointing to genetics and climate (north with a lack of sunlight) as possible reasons. Unfortunately, I believe we also have high rates of spina bifida and other diseases as well – all the more reason for events like this one.
We had turkey and roast beef dinners, followed by an amazing performance by the Avalon Sleeveens, who took us on a walk down memory lane with songs from Tom Jones, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee and others. It went on til 11:30 and I tell you it beat the heck out of George Street!
And maybe the best part of the evening was we got to share our table with our friends Alf and Hilda Harnum (below), two wonderful people who put a smile on your face and would give you the shirt of their backs, I’m sure!
And here’s the Sleeveens – so fun! (And continuing my education services for non-Newfoundlanders, a ‘sleeveen’ is similar to a rascal!) [wpvideo KsQqFlP2]
Today’s church is the Pouch Cove Memorial United. Pouch Cove is just outside St. John’s, features lots of beaches and walking trails (really, where in Newfoundland doesn’t??) and is said to be the first to see the sun rise in North America. And non-Newfoundlanders are advised we call it ‘Pooch’ Cove – be prepared for lots of ‘unusual’ pronunciations around here if you come!
After getting home from some meetings yesterday, I took to the paintbrush. The Partridgeberry used to be green, and now it’s ripening into a nice red. She should be fully ripened by the end of the weekend, if this stormy weather passes (no complaints here – I love a storm!). Then it is on to flower boxes and hanging baskets. So stay tuned as the Partridgeberry completes her transformation.
With these cottages and entering a new industry, this has been a year of firsts for me and The Berry. And now another – this is the first weekend that we can enjoy knowing we won’t have to rush back to St. John’s as soon as it’s over. If you’ve been following my blog, you know that other obligations in St. John’s have meant that our move to the Wonderful World of Whiteway has been only part-time to date. And not that we don’t love the city – but the back and forth hasn’t been ideal.
But this week marks the end of one of the last, big obligations in the city, meaning we’ll be at Ocean Delight most of the time, excepting for the odd meeting. Delightful! Lots more sunsets over Shag Rock in our future!
For some it’s a guilty pleasure, for others it’s a nightly ritual, but practically everyone has heard of Coronation Street, the long-running British drama. But did you know we’ve got a leg-up on the Brits, with our very own Coronation Street, in St. John’s, just a few minutes from my place here. And since I’m in the middle of my weekly (and likely last, for awhile now) sojourn in town, it seemed like a good time as any to show it off! 
Now that the weather is getting better we’ve started the journey of exploring the many walking trails in the area. The most popular around is probably the Witch Hazel Trail, one that offers apparently stunning views of Heart’s Delight and the bay. But we’ve also got trails that start right outside our Heart’s Delight cottages, which as you see here were the first we explored. Yes, that’s Laurelyn’s pink hat, and no, there were no other options, and yes, I was secure enough in masculinity to use it!
‘Our’ trail has no name as such so for now we’re calling it the Long Point Trail. It connects from our cottages to Islington going north, and to Cavendish and beyond going south. We haven’t walked it all yet, but locals tell us it is a fabulous trail with beaches, coves and different challenges. Looking forward to all the weekend hikes on this one! 
And the Pony Posts keep coming. Here we are with Shamrock and his mother, Beauty, two of the most gorgeous Newfoundland ponies! As you walk toward the fence, they gallop towards you like giant Newfoundland dogs. They are so cuddly and affectionate – I am normally afraid of horses, but not these two, with their warm and friendly aura. Shamrock especially took a liking to Laurelyn.
These two magnificent creatures are ambassadors of the Fields of Athen-ry County Inn and Spa in Green’s Harbour (about 5 miles from here), and they greet you as you enter. This resort is truly a stunning, rated #2 in the world and #1 Canada by EnRoute magazine in 2011. The owners, Kevin Nolan and Robert Hall, premier designers and developers, have turned it into a mystical, magical place. And we got a tour on Saturday, complete with chickens, geese, ducks, waterfront and amenities that you have to see to believe.
Now that I’m exploring the region I am stunned by all we have to offer out here. This resort offers something completely different from our cottages, but both are so special and unique – so there truly is something for everyone. And no shortage of ponies to visit!
This weekend we hosted out First Annual Scrapbook Club Weekend, organized by Nicole Butler (check out her site for great scrapbooking supplies) and catered by us and Joe Friday. 5 wonderful ladies took over our place, which gave Laurelyn and me an excuse to spend the night at our Heart’s Delight cottages. Our guests got to spread out and work overlooking the ocean, and we got a change of scenery – so a great weekend was had by all!
Joe Friday really went above and beyond – so much so that the women threatened to take him back with them! We’re so happy to have (in their words!) exceeded their expectations, and they’ll be back in November. It really is fun to branch out and see what new ways we can make these cottages cater to the needs of different guests – so far it’s allowed us to get creative, and meet some great people in the process. 
Thanks, Joe Friday!
We got to enjoy a peaceful breakfast by the beach.
And in the end, homemade Thank You cards ….. thank you ladies for a great weekend, and we can’t wait to have you back.
Today’s great Newfoundland church is Corner Brook’s First United. Presbyterians in the area began meeting for worship in family homes as early as 1876, and then this church was built in 1889. I got this shot on a sunny day a few years ago, and it really was lovely.
Corner Brook is of course on our island’s west coast, and is a great city with lots to offer. It’s a long drive from the cottages, but a lot of tourists who come here like to rent a car and hit the road – a good choice!
