There is perfection, and then there is perfection in the Wonderful World of Whiteway. After a hard day’s work, nothing beats a dinner on our deck while we watch the ocean, Shag Rock, and the setting sun. Especially when there’s fresh seafood to be had, all topped off with The Berry’s own (and mighty delicious) partridgeberry bread pudding with ice cream. A treat for any pallet, a gift for any soul!
Yesterday we introduced a new friend to Ocean Delight (stay tuned!) and today I take a digital photography course. So expect new things on our blog this summer!
Shag in the Mist
Shag Rock is a a constant of life in the Wonderful World of Whiteway – constantly there, constantly beautiful and mysterious, and constantly changing. Yesterday a mass of fog swarmed it in a matter of minutes. It looks different every time I see it (even when I can’t). I love to sit by the beach now and watch the sunset to the music of the waves, my rocky muse standing guard. Even when you need a sweater, it’s stunning and life-affirming – a true gift.
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!
Picnic, Anyone?
The other day we had a huge storm outside the Wonderful World of Whiteway that caused a storm surge here at the cottages. Alf said it will likely be the biggest high tide of the season, and Alf knows.
We were sitting at the supper table and The Berry saw something from the window. “What’s that?” she yelled.
“That, my dear, is the picnic table we had on the beach,” I said. We had it as high up the beach as we could get it, well above the high water mark, but apparently not high enough for that surge.
Now it is on its way to Ireland. If I had known, I would have painted it green.
Sunday Church Blogging: Salvation Army in Trinity Bay South
After a brief hiatus, Sunday Church Blogging is back, this week featuring The Salvation Army Trinity Bay South Corps in New Harbour. Since starting this blog I’ve been learning a little bit about the different churches in the area, and I have to say that I am continually impressed by the online presence of the Salvation Army – I’m sure a good way to support and encourage new and young members – and by their outreach and programs. No doubt, they are pillars of the small communities they serve.
Jerry In Black (JIB)
For all I rave about the Wonderful World of Whiteway, one thing we don’t have is the Avalon Mall with its new Imax theatre (to be honest, that’s probably one of the reasons why people like to have getaways here!). So when we have a rare St. John’s day, like we did this past week because The Berry and I both had meetings in town, we try to catch up on the latest flicks.
So we saw Men in Black, which was great – no Avengers, but enjoyable in a different way.
Today is a gardening day, followed by an auction for Eastern Health in Carbonear with Clifford and Shirley George, and Lisa Day. I love my ‘retirement!’
Look Out, Butchart Gardens!
If you follow this blog, you know that we were recently in the lovely Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. And we were blown away. But the Butchart Gardens needs to look out – we’re back in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, and our rock garden is on the agenda. We had the idea to beautify this drain pipe (and boy, did it need beautification!). And now it’s taken on a life of its own, on the way to becoming, in my opinion, quite the unique garden space.
We’re turning this ditch (below) into a work of art! And getting in lots of outdoor time (and exercise!) in the process. It’s been really fun – stay tuned for updates! 
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! 
Hiking Hopes
After our lovely trip out west, we’re back in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, and we couldn’t be happier to be home. Now that we’re staring down the summer season, I’m thinking ahead to ways to enjoy it. Naturally, in Newfoundland, that means being out as often as possible in our natural beauty, and for me, that means hiking and walking. I’ve only really hiked in this province, but thankfully we have lots of amazing trails to choose from. In the past few years I’ve conquered much of the East Coast trail, including making it to the Spout and walking Signal Hill to the Botanical Gardens (like I’m above) countless times.
Now we’re essentially living right on a walking trail (at our Heart’s Delight cottages), and I can’t wait to get out on the Witch Hazel Trail. So I may not be an expert hiker, but that doesn’t mean I don’t outfit myself like one! And when I go out on hikes, I make sure I’ve got all the gear – state-of-the-art walking poles, Tilly hat, water packs, and, most importantly for a Newfoundlander, a little kettle. You never know when you’re going to want to stop for a mug up (for the non-Native, that’s a spot of tea!)
Finally, if I could offer one piece of advice to would-be adventurers: Don’t bring a small dog, unless you’re prepared to carry him half the way!
Travel Writers Welcome
Yesterday we welcomed our first media tour and it was a great experience. Michele Sponagle and Sean McNeely are on a media tour of eastern Newfoundland, enjoying a romantic, cultural and historical trip through Trinity, the Baccalieu Trail, and Cupids. And we were lucky enough to have them stay a night at the cottages, putting them up in The Loon.
We invited Clifford George, our local historian, artist, raconteur, and larger-than-life Whiteway ambassador to talk about the history of the area, tell a few stories, and have some fun. He drew them the Salt Box picture you see below.
Of course we had to have a home-cooked meal, so we made a lovely moose stew and cod tongues for appetizers, and salmon and sweet and regular potatoes for the main. The Berry followed up with her bread pudding (the best I’ve had, but maybe I’m biased!). And of course, enough Iceberg beer and red and white wine to go around.
We talked and chatted and had a lovely evening. This morning, we served moose sausage and waffles with fruit and cream before they head off to Cupids (now how’s that for romance?). Overall, it was a lovely way for us to get back into the ODC swing after our trip!