Tag: Newfoundland

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Goodbye, Victoria

Mixed feelings today as we set out a long day of travel (3 stop-overs no less). We’ve had such a lovely time in Victoria, seeing family and old friends, experiencing the splendor of the west coast, and, maybe most importantly, savoring some much needed romantic and peaceful downtime after all the work we’ve put into getting the cottages up and operational for the busy season. Our batteries have been completely recharged, that’s for sure, and I have even more energy than before.

So we are sad to be ending this bountiful retreat. But, my thoughts have never been far from my WWW – Wonderful World of Whiteway. This is the first time I’ve spent an extended period away from our new home, and it has made me more sure than ever that it is where I am truly meant to be. I can’t wait to make sure that our guests enjoy our new home as much as we do. And I can’t wait to get back to the Smiling Land!

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Galiano Tripping

Big things on a little island! As I blogged yesterday, we got to visit my youngest daughter, Kathryn, who lives off the BC coast on little Galiano Island. This is a beautiful place with lots of wonder. The forests are lush, the trees so green, wildlife all around and friendly people, too (that last bit reminds me of another island I know!). It was a real treat to be there and to visit with my daughter.

And don’t let the size fool you – there was lots to do (just ask The Berry who got a first-class massage for her aching shoulder at the Galiano Inn and Spa!). Lunch at the Hummingbird Pub was good – I got fish and chips, made out of Pacific, not Atlantic, cod, and I enjoyed it – which is a big stamp of approval coming from a Newfoundlander! Then we went to the sand caves, the marina, the sawmill where Kathryn works, then Montague Park, then the  bluffs and Mount Galiano, then a nice fire, soft music, a little wine, and a nice meal. We went to bed tired and woke up refreshed – just the way it should be!

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On Galiano

We came on this trip wanting to recharge our very-depleted batteries, and what a spot to do it. We’ll be coming home for the summer season recharged and more. Here I am heading on the ferry to visit my youngest daughter, Kathryn, who lives on Galiano Island. It’s a tiny little island off the coast (only 1200 or so people live here), so you have to take a ferry to get there – and boy, is it worth the journey. I’ve been coming here for a few years and they ferries have never been anything but easy to navigate. Here we are docking at Sturdies Bay, on the southeast of the island:Galiano is the perfect spot for a picnic – and nap! – on the beach, and for barbeques and wine late into the night. We’re staying at the lovely Galiano Inn and Spa, and we got to see my daughter’s place – she, too, is right on the water. Seems like my daughters are just like their Ocean Delight-loving father, hugging the coast and loving the ocean!

Kathryn’s place is actually sustainable. All their water comes from rain fall and they burn mostly wood. Very inspiring for us, given our goal to make our cottages more efficient by 2014.

Here’s The Berry and Kathryn getting ready for our steak barbeque. We’re going to have to make a trek out here more than once a year!

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Boy from the Bay

The shirts say it all! There is a saying – “you can take the boy from the bay, but you can’t take the bay from the boy.’ So even in the lovely Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, I’m still a bayman at heart. Just ask my daughters, raised in Mount Pearl and Virginia, who always teased me for talking about their ‘b’y-friends’, not their boyfriends!Even looking out over the Pacific, we show our bayman pride! Just teasing of course! Nothing quite replaces the WWW (Wonderful World of Whiteway), but family, good food, relaxation, and the pretty city of Victoria (even if the sun was hiding) come close. We’re having ‘a time’ so far – explored a little of the downtown, a few good meals, and some great conversation (and planning – for Ocean Delight!) over wine and supper yesterday. Today, the sky’s the limit! Thanks for all the well wishes – we’ll keep you posted!

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Another Jerryism

As you may know, yesterday I set out to visit my daughters in British Columbia (one in Victoria, one in a small island off the coast). I’ve spent countless hours travelling and flying, so getting across the country is normally a piece of cake. So I woke up after a good night’s sleep, anticipating a wonderful flight time at 8:00 AM  – aaahhhhh!!!!! – Westjet – I love you!  I got up at 5 (early bird gets the worm), did some work, took my time and went to the airport.  There was no one at the counter.  I am thinking “cool!!!!”

I go up to the counter and give my name.  “What flight are you on, sir?” says Cory of WJ.
“I am on the 7:57 AM flight and I love WJ,” say I.
“We don’t have a 7:57 flight,” says Cory.
“Yes you do,” say I, as I scramble for the computer to pull out my confirmation.
“What’s your name?” says he.
“Jerome Byrne,” say I.
I show him my confirmation. He points and says, “7:57 AM is the time you are supposed to be in Toronto.  You missed your flight by two hours.”

“Holy FRIGG!**” says I, and I repeat it several times, and say, “What the FRIGG am I going to do now?”
“We can get you there by 7:35 PM for a late fee of $50,” says he.
“Sign me up,” say I.

I call The Berry who is getting to ready to leave Guelph on the shuttle to meet me at the airport. I tell her what had happened.  Then, needless to say, I had to put Cory on the phone to confirm it (she thought I was joking – as if!).

“Jesus, Jerry” says she.
“Sorry” say I.

We all had a laugh, especially Cory (at my expense due to my stupidity – but for me, it was just another Jerryism!). And all’s well that ends well. No need to get into the details of weather delayed flights – we’ve all been there, done that – so let it suffice that I had a long day and got in a lot later than planned. But I’m here! We have lots planned (and by ‘lots’ I mean, lots of sitting around and relaxing!) and I even got to sit next to a special neighbour on one leg of my journey – little Yoshi. I would have preferred The Berry, but he was pretty cute, too.

** I can neither confirm nor deny any expletives that may have ocurred in this transaction.

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Sunday Church Blogging: Flatrock Grotto

So maybe I’m cheating a little – today’s post isn’t exactly a church, just the land surrounding one (St. Michael’s). Flatrock is a little town just outside St. John’s, where some of my nephews grew up, and is home to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, the biggest in eastern Canada. Pope John Paul II prayed here in 1984.

After that prayer, the Pope also went to a neaby lookout to offer a homily and bless the boats in the harbour. The Blessing of the Fleet site is marked by this plaque below.

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Foxy Friday

This stunning shot was captured in Harcourt (about two hours away from Ocean Delight) by my good family friend, Bud Vincent. Like me, he is a former ‘townie’ who has found The Life outside the overpass. Bud got me my first job at the Holiday Inn when I was 14 (gee, maybe I was destined to be in the hospitality business!). We have some sort of very distant family relationship there, but regardless, I remember Bud giving clothes to my family when we were kids. He’s just an overall wonderful guy with, as you can tell from this picture, an incredible eye!

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend. The Berry is away and we have a full house, so I know I’ll be quite busy. But I’m sure not too busy that I won’t be able to squeeze in a few light beers and a few sunsets while I’m at it.

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Shag Rocked

I wish I was a poet so I could describe the full beauty of Shag Rock. Yesterday evening, as I sat on my deck with Iceberg beer in hand, the sun warming my face, and waves signing along the shore, I floated along with the wind and was open to every sensation, all 5 senses (and maybe more) engaged. I was in a different time and place. A sense of total satisfaction surged through me – I was complete for an instant – what an awesome feeling!

Shag Rock was beautiful again this morning with its ever-presence taking a place in my morning ritual. It is becoming my muse, my meditation, my motivation. It is forever constant and constantly changing. And it is predictably unpredictable – sounds a lot like me and the people around here.

Today, The Berry heads to Ontario to spend some much needed quality time with her parents. Next week we’re both heading out to visit my lovely daughters, who live in lovely British Columbia. I can’t wait of course. I think I’m going to try to keep blogging while there – I’ve gotten into a groove writing these things daily and don’t want to give it up. Please let me know if you’d like to see some pictures of our travels around Victoria, or if you think I should keep this blog Newfoundland-centric!

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Scallops and Ducks

No doubt we are getting spoiled out here! The day before yesterday, Alf went scallop fishing (with his invention for catching them from his boat), and he kept The Berry and her love of seafood in mind. Her brought her over two meals worth of the freshest and biggest ones she’d ever had. Out of the water and into the frying pan!

The yesterday, Clifford (yes, THE Clifford George) sends down 7 duck eggs (which are bigger than a large chicken egg). Holy Duck! What a place we live in! What Ducking nice people! I’ve been doing some work on a new rock garden, so it’s been great to have a full belly while doing it. Between this and all that bread, my waistline might take a hit this summer!

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Awestruck in Whiteway, thanks to the Horse Lady

After spending a weekend in Whiteway last summer, I fell in love immediately and knew we would love it here. I just didn’t know to expect the people to be so awe-inspiring, too. Here I am with one of the many world class artists who call this their home – Renee Butler-Harnum. Renee is truly gifted and truly special. She’s also the “Horse Lady,” known for her love of animals. I strongly recommend you watch this Land and Sea program featuring her, not only to learn about her story, but also to get a sense of what life is like out here.

As you can see, the Wonderful World of Whiteway has a bit of everything – artists, musicians, wonderful neighbours, and kindness everywhere. Below is one of Renee’s pieces that was displayed at the Spring Hare. Enjoy!