We Christened the “Awake at Last,” our beautiful Boston Whaler, on Father’s Day – an what a Father’s Day gift it was. We took her to Shag Rock, moored off Long Point Cove (in front of our Heart’s Delight ocean-front cabins), took some pictures, enjoyed naps and champagne, and had a great afternoon on the water. What a day, thanks to the help and kindness of Alf Harnum, our wonderful neighbour, mentor and guardian! 
Ahhh, a wake at last in “Awake at Last!” Now we can’t wait for the Canada Day long weekend (check the Current Specials to learn about our Weekend Special so you can join us) to take this baby out and really celebrate!
Our Boat, a Community Project
A great thing about life rural Newfoundland – which you always hear about, and now we know for sure is true – is that everyone helps each other out. Clearly, this is how we’ve survived in this harsh environment for hundreds of years. We’ve seen this in so many ways in our welcome to the WWW – the Wonderful World of Whiteway. A great example is with our inherited Boston Whaler, which I’m hoping to get out on the water soon.
Luckily, we’re next door to Jackson’s Boat Yard, and Derek Jackson did our hull. Our neighbour Alf and I are working on the lights, electrical systems and the motors. The Berry ordered a new stereo system (if they listen closely enough, they’ll be able to hear us in Rocky Harbour!). And I ordered a depth sounder and GPS. The former to find the fish, the latter to kind my way home after doing so. And we’ve ordered some navigation lights as well. All I have to do now is figure out how to use it all!
I can’t wait to get her in the water – my goal is to have her ready to take out on Father’s Day (kind of a gift to myself). And I wouldn’t be able to do that without the help of our new neighbours! If Alf and I can get the trim motor working on the main propulsion motor and the weather cooperates, a weekend run may be a possibility!
Whatever Floats Your Boat
This beauty came with the cottages, and I’ve been working on getting it – and myself – up to code. Our friend Alf and I got the motors working the other day, but there’s lots left to do before she goes into the water (at least according to Alf). Lucky for me, Alf has that rare expertise that comes not only from a life on the sea, but from a keen mechanical mind as well. He says not to worry because he’ll teach me everything I need to know about boating. I say he may not know how much of a commitment he is making, given the numbers of teachers I’ve left in my wake!
So much to learn! I also signed up for a Digital Photography workshop next weekend (see links on the right). Now that I am the proud owner of my Nikon D-3100 birthday gift, I’ll need to learn how to use is so that I can take pictures out on the water in the boat that I don’t know how to use! 
Discovering Shag Rock
Alf Harnum, our wonderful neighbour, dropped by yesterday to see if we wanted to go to local landmark, Shag Rock, about 1.5KM out in the water. We jumped (in the boat) at the chance and headed out Whiteway Bay. It was a beautiful day on the water and we got a chance at up close and personal with the anomaly.
And just in case you have a dirty mind, we found out they call it ‘Shag’ Rock because it’s full of cormorants – big, black and sleek diving birds. They make it their home. And locally cormorants are known as ‘shags.’ So get your mind out of the gutter!
Yip, our maiden voyage in Whiteway Bay, and I was like a kid again (except when I was a kid we didn’t have an experienced captain or life jackets in the boat!). What a perfect day for a ride – thanks, Alf!
P.S. Cannot wait to get our own boat out in the water – I just finished the qualification course online. My grades: 90%, 100%, 100%, 90%, 90%. (what, me brag?)
And one last video:[wpvideo ijLKrXUb]