Luxury getaways to the ocean's edge
You have to take pleasure to the small things, and you have to take them whenever they come. Like a sunny day to be outside working shoulder to shoulder with someone you love. Which The Berry and I got to enjoy while painting the deck of the The Partridgeberry. I think it came out pretty good!
What a difference a year makes! This weekend was the 1 year anniversary of whenThe Berry and I first came together to Ocean Delight, these stunningly beautiful ocean-front cabin rentals.
The Berry had already been and wanted to bring me back. She wanted to come for a weekend, but I love St. John’s and was able to negotiate coming for just one night. But the Wizard of Shag Rock (or Shagarella, his bride – a.k.a. Lisa Day) cast a spell on us, and we learned the previous owners were planning to sell. On a whim, we put together a business plan that would forever change out lives.
We abandoned other careers, moved in together and moved out here to the Wonderful World of Whiteway. We have worked like Murphy’s (Murphy’s our new dog by the way!) and it is only the beginning. We have made new and wonderful friends, and we love them and we love it here. Life is like a Disney ride and I don’t want to get off!
My body is full of bruises from all the physical work (and I never bruise), but I am healthier by 20 years. Strong, healthy and free – is there anything else to ask for?
So to celebrate we planned a romantic night in our boat under a crescent moon – anchored and floating away on A Wake at Last, rocked to sleep by the Atlantic Ocean. Gear stored, engines set, we set our coarse for Bay Bulls Island and headed out to sea. But the excitement was soon swamped when both engines dies about two miles past Shag Rock (obviously we had done something to upset the Wizard!).
It was Alf and Hilda who came to the rescue – Hilda telling us that the Awake at Last must have gone back to sleep. They towed us back to the safety of the shore – a little disappointed but happy to have such wonderful friends.
Naturally inclined to make lemonade out of lemons, we lit a fire on the beach, roasted marshmallows and wieners with friends Alf and Hilda, Lisa and Randy, and Joe Friday, told a few “boating and captain” jokes and shared stories over wine and starlight. And sweet Murphy got a night in heaven, playing in the water with lots of people to throw him sticks.
A good night and a good time, and a metaphor for our new life at these Newfoundland cottages – it doesn’t always go according to plan, but with good friends and the right attitude, you make things work. Throw a beautiful dog and Shag Rock into the mix, and you’ve got the recipe for paradise. 
Barely a week into these posts and already I’m cat blogging! This is Molly, the fairy cat, the Devon Rex who has hexed my soul. Thanks to our new friend Nicole Winters for the great picture.
This cat is quite the creature. If it’s possible, she seems to like her new home in Whiteway more than we do. She’s really settled in, and who can blame her?
I never expected to be a cat person. And then you get one and she ropes you in. Expect more posts about Molly in the future. And when you check in at our cottages, don’t be surprised if this little one sneaks a peak!
I am here in my heart’s delight (near Heart’s Delight) in WWW – the Wonderful World of Whiteway. After almost 62 years chasing my dreams, I have settled here in rural Newfoundland – what we Newfoundlanders call ‘around the bay.’ I have changed career paths many times, and I’ve had a magnificent journey. I have made lots of mistakes, but have got a few things right, too. I’m confidant these new ocean-front cottages with my partner, Laurelyn, will be one of the ‘rights.’
Now that I have a new home overlooking the sea, and a little (but not a lot!) more time to reflect, I’m inclined to sit with my coffee and write. I want to share what this new beautiful life in Trinity Bay is teaching me.
So I thought I could start a blog. Yes, a blog! One based on my many years of education, employment, fatherhood, and now, most importantly, as a Happy Inn Keeper promoting all that Newfoundland has to offer – I always knew this island was unique, and now I want to share that passion.
So, please stay tuned as I nurture this new career and these new cottages and explore the Wonderful World of Whiteway.