Tag: Newfoundland

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Sunday Church Blogging: United Church in La Scie

I’ve been so excited about the food fishery and to have the A Wake at Last operational and at the service of our guests that I’ve been neglecting Sunday Church Blogging – but no more! Here’s Zion United Church in La Scie, part of the the most easterly conference of the United Church of Canada, and one of 5 churches in that community.

La Scie is a beautiful community on the Baie Verte Peninsula, with a long history with both the Basque and the French. ‘La Scie’ means ‘saw’ in French and refers to the jagged – and stunning – cliffs surrounding the area. I keep saying it – Newfoundland is a day trippers’ paradise (and Ocean Delight a great starting off point for those day trips!)

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Hidden City

A recent article in USA Today Travel calls Newfoundland a “rugged, remote, and yes, strange land,” and that’s so true. Even when you’re at the height of our biggest city – this picture was taken at famous Signal Hill – you can feel like you’re all alone, an explorer in a new world. And then maybe the fog will lift, and you’ll see that you’re actually in a pretty place filled with friendly people – these two pictures were taken on the same day!And just as a friendly reminder, along with our outside-the-overpass cottages, we also have a Downtown Hideaway for rent, conveniently located near all the hotspots of historic St. John’s, if you’re planning on spending a few days in that old, beautiful city. We’re very proud to be able to offer our guests the best of all that Newfoundland can offer – city and country!

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Ready for My Close Up

Usually I’m the one taking pictures of my guests – but yesterday I got some great shots from Jim and Judy, a couple we had out on the A Wake at Last about a month ago. They were very kind to pass them along, and now I’m passing them along to you!I especially like the shot they got of our Berry cottages – the ones in Whiteway. What great photographers!

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And the Fish Go On

The days of the recreational fishery here in Newfoundland are numbered, so I’m out on the water every chance I get. You may remember LeighAnne and BJ – they were our first guests to have a testimonial featured on this blog. And they came to the cottages to celebrate their 5 year anniversary, so they had to get a turn on the A Wake at Last – that’s BJ above with his bounty.

We’ve also had out a couple from England – Dr Philip Knights is a man of the cloth, which may have helped us fill our quota in under an hour!

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Public Relations

Every day I love Whiteway more and more, so I need to make sure Jerry and The Berry remain vigilant in their customer service so we can stay here forever. They do a good job, but just in case, I’ve appointed myself Public Relations Manager. Who better to greet guests and show them a good time than someone golden, smiling, friendly, gentle ….. (I could go on, but you know me – not one to brag!).

So, I make my rounds to see all the guests and make sure they’re having a good time. Playing fetch is proving to be quite the people pleaser, and it’s a mutually beneficial activity – they love throwing stuff into the ocean, and I love retrieving it.  Just like Ocean Delight, it’s a win-win!

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Loads of Cod

Of course, you can’t separate Newfoundland – our history, our identity, our triumphs and struggles – from the cod fishery. And somehow, despite – or because of – everything, cod is in our bones – and now, thanks to the current recreational fishery, on our plates and the plates of our guests every supper! For a few weeks now in the summer, and later in September, residents and non-residents alike are allowed to catch up to 5 fish a day, and we’re all taking advantage! The fishing’s good and easy, the fish are fresh and tasty, and I have an excuse to be out on the A Wake at Last every day – as if I needed one!

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Happy Anniversaries


Laurelyn and I fell in love with our cottages over a romantic weekend, so we know how special this place can be to couples looking to get away. So we’re thrilled when other couples get to experience what we did, and we’ve had lots of couples celebrating anniversaries. Here’s Katie and Sean Kelly from Burlington, celebrating their first. Beyond the fresh fish all our guests are getting upon arrival now that we’re in the middle of the recreational fishery, we also had a bottle of Joe Friday’s wine waiting for them. And of course, they got a trip out to the bay! They ended the night with a fire and a sunset. Sounds like a good anniversary if ever there were one!

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Double Your Fun

I can’t help it – I love being on the A Wake at Last and I love sharing the experience with our guests, so somedays I’m out on the ocean twice. Like this day – first, we had out Don Migel from Calgary, who was so excited about catching his quota of big fish he was liable to try walking back home from Shag Rock!

Then we took out part of a young family, Michael and Erin, with their dad, Roger. They each caught fish, even in the rough water. Put me in mind of of similar experiences with my own children when they were young, for which I am forever grateful. 

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Sea Creature Spectrum

There’s nothing more beautiful and awe-inspiring than a whale (common around here now), especially seeing one on a calm, summer evening in the company of dear friends. It makes you appreciate the bounty of nature and the wonder of the seas.

And there’s nothing uglier than a sculpin, especially one staring up at you from a cooler after you’ve reeled it in. We used to catch them in Torbay but I hadn’t seen one in 50 years. It makes you appreciate the bounty of nature and the wonder of the seas!