I love little boats in the harbour – nostalgia, I guess. Yesterday I was in Green’s Harbour and had to get these shots. The setting was picture perfect, although I wasn’t close enough to get that perfect shot. Still cute though!
Little boats for a little post!
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!
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!
The One That Never Got Away
Here’s our friend, brilliant artist and consummate Newfoundlander, Clifford George, and his over-the-top catch. Talk about photogenic (Clifford, not the fish!).
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!
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. 
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!
The Fisherwomen of WWW
I was thrilled yesterday to be able to talk The Berry out of a few hours of work (no easy feat!) and get her to join me, Alf and his wife, Hilda, out on the water. The weather was great, the fishing better, the company the best! It was real fun. But …… the women kicked our butts!
Oh well. I guess what they didn’t realize is we let them catch the biggest fish so that they would want to come out with us again! It’s always nice to have women aboard! 
Fishy Memories
If you look closely above, you can see little boats circling Shag Rock – there’s lots out there because the recreational, three-week food fishery has begun. People out here in the the Wonderful World of Whiteway have been looking forward to this chance to fish for weeks – nearly everyone with a boat, or with a friend with a boat, will be out to catch their 5 fish limit, I’d say. There’s certainly lots more activity on our bay, as I’m sure there is across the island.
Of course, we went out with friend and neighbour, Alf, who also, of course, helped me pick out all the gear we needed. We also brought some guests out – including an 8-month pregnant woman. I’d had to drive out to St. John’s earlier to pick them up, since they’d had a hard time getting a car rental (note to future guests: make sure to book yours early, and feel free to let us know if you’re having trouble!). We filleted the fish for them, too. What can I say – I like to be a good host, and I like to fillet fish!
Lying in bed Sunday morning and hearing all the activity offshore certainly brought back memories, and I’m sure it would for anyone in my generation. I remember when Torbay (my hometown) was covered with “The Little Boats of Newfoundland” and you could virtually walk across the bay going from boat to boat. You could hear the “putt-putt” of the single cylinder engines early in the morning as almost everyone in the town was involved in the fishery. That has all changed now, of course, but this morning was reflective of days gone by. It made me feel very grateful to be living near the water, so I could experience the excitement again. 
And clearly Joe Friday could barely contain his excitement either!
Happy Guests = Happy Jerry
If you follow this blog you know I rave about this new life and all the opportunities to meet new people. Here’s another perfect example – our wonderful guests Gail and Rhonda, two fun and fun-loving gals we recently hosted. They loved the Blueberry Cottage – with all its color coordinating and complementary accents, it is a warm and inviting place. And they took to calling me and Joe Friday, ‘Buddy Wasisname and the other fella’ – too perfect. 
Of course I had to take Gail and Rhonda for a ride and picnic on the A Wake at Last. I wanted their week to be ‘freedom plus’ from all the stress of the city – and I think it was. They told us they didn’t want to leave! I told them we have long term rentals!
Shag Rock or bust!