Luxury getaways to the ocean's edge
Around this time last year, we were going crazy trying to get our heads around the idea of running our newly acquired cottages. Now we’re going crazy getting ready to open our newly acquired Inn and Spa and soon-to-be constructed cafe and gift shop. Seems like a mad summer ahead of us, but I know if I can squeeze in a few good sunsets like this one (not hard in the Wonderful World of Whiteway), I’ll be ok.
Well, if you read Jerry’s Man Hands post last week then you know Jerry was busy with renovation work, and believe me – the dust was flying. And all the while I rested listening to Christmas music in front of the fire place downstairs – living the dog’s life. Those humans – have they got a lot to learn.
So I finally convinced Jerry to take a break and take The Berry for a walk in Bowering Park – very altruistic of me. It was supposed to be all about them, so I pretended I didn’t enjoy bounding through the trails, splashing in the Waterford River, and exploring where my previous humans used to take me. But I really couldn’t contain myself when I saw the ducks. I really wanted to catch some – must be genetic.
Ah! Bowering Park – it really is the jewel of St. John’s.
Captured two things I love with this shot! By the way, did you notice the new “Reservation” button on the top right? Check out our new booking system – it’s pretty awesome! Happy Sunset Sunday, everyone ….
We had a great hike last weekend. We went to Hopeall Falls and Backside Pond (not too far from the cottages). Murphy was bounding! He is quite amazing – spell the word “W.A.L.K.” or “H.I.K.E.” or “R.I.D.E.” and he springs into action, bouncing around on all fours like Tigger. And in the woods he is rambunctious – the complete opposite of his house life.
We were on a moose trail, and after seeing moose prints, Murphy got so excited. We ran into a moose awhile ago and he must have remembered how much fun he had chasing it away!
Then we lit a fire, boiled the kettle and put on the bacon and beans. It was simple and awesome (kind of like life in the Wonderful World of Whiteway!).
Sometimes you earn your view. Not that we’re not blessed with the sunsets we get to see most nights out our back window. But we captured this one on a hike last weekend. So I guess we’re doubly blessed – beauty in our backyard, more beauty surrounding us when we make a little effort and go out and enjoy nature. Happy Sunday, everyone. Only one month left til Christmas!
Sunsets are wonderful in and of themselves, but the way they paint everything around them can be even more stunning. Look at how this one painted the living room. A reminder that every now and then it pays to take your eyes off the sunset to its magic all around.
This week’s Sunset Shot is so stunning for two reasons, I think. First, it’s a Newfoundland sunset, outside the overpass, so how could it not take your breath away? And the second reason is the skilled photographer. Capturing natural beauty on film is a true art form. And our friend Bud Vincent is a true artist. Take a look at his website and portfolio and you’ll have a hard time believing he’s self taught! And please, keep checking back on this site, as we’d love to be able to use more of his work in the future.
Ultimately I’m saving this Sunset Series on my blog to show-off how stunning our night skies here are in Newfoundland. But I just had to share this one to prove how longstanding my nightly passion is. Here’s a picture that must be 10 years old, taken by my nephew, Jayson, when he was spending a summer with us in Virginia. Even there, every night, almost without choice as if I was physically being pulled, I spent the night watching the sun go down. Sometimes I had company, like I did here with my daughter, and sometimes I went alone. We lived close to the beach then, but we still had to drive to get these great seats. So I’m thankful now to live in the Wonderful World of Whiteway so I can see the show from my back deck!
This post may not be expressly about daily life at the cottages, but close enough. Laurelyn is my brilliant and hard-working (you might say, overly hard-working) partner and if anyone ever deserved a vacation, it was her. Which is what she did last week, when she went to Ontario to visit with her lovely family. I love Ontario, and we get lots of guests from that great province. Laurelyn enjoyed her visit, and I had to share this beautiful shot of her with her mother and daughter – three generations in a row!
If you remember, I’ve set aside Sundays to share my favourite thing in the world, and my natural mood-enhancing drug: sunsets. This week’s was capture in Harcourt, Newfoundland, as the sun was setting over Smith Sound. It was sent to me by my good friend Bud Vincent, who has contributed his beautiful photos to this blog before. So thanks, Bud – it’s a stunning shot!