Capelin Rolling Season in Newfoundland, 2013!

Capelin Rolling in Whiteway, NewfoundlandWe’re in the middle of one of our favourite parts of the summer – the capelin’s rolling in! Any Newfoundlander will know what this means, but many from away might not have heard of the tradition. Every year, capelin – little fish about 20 cm long – come into shore to spawn. Hundreds or millions of the little guys flop right at the shore, making them easy pickings. You can literally reach your hands in anywhere and be guaranteed to pull up a few. People will come from all over to get their bucket-full. We use them for eating of course – I love them on a barbecue, and they were certainly an important staple when we were growing up. People also use them as fertilizer.

It’s a particularly fun activity to share with children – it’s a great way to pass on Newfoundland traditions, and trust me – kids will love fishing with their hands!  I asked some of our staff and friends to take some pictures to share with you.

Child fishing for capelin in NewfoundlandChild fishing for capelin rolling in in NewfoundlandChild fishing for capelin in Newfoundland

Danielle works for us at The Doctor’s House. They’re obviously starting the tradition early with their little one, Liam!

Fishing for Capelin off the coast of NewfoundlandGrandfather and granddaughter getting capelinLeeann helps Joe out at the cottages. She sent these pictures of her cousins Sabrina and Isabelle, and of her dad. It’s great to see families keeping this tradition alive across the generations!

Tuesdays with Murphy: Rescue at Sea

Rescue of a golden retriever off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador

If you follow our blog you know how much I love swimming in the ocean by the cottages. Thankfully, when I’m out in the water, everything goes swimmingly (pardon my pun). But I recently had a few scary moments that make you appreciate safety! I’ll let Lisa recount what happened, below:
“So today had a “little” adventure! To say the least, Murphy (being the water dog that he is) decided to go swimming. He decided at some point he would try to retrieve a lobster pot (do you have any idea how heavy they are!).

On a more serious note we noticed he was swimming but staying in the same spot, we went to have a look as he was fatiguing. He had the rope wrapped around his neck. Lucky we saw him or he would have drowned!

The rescue was carried out by Jerry (who can’t swim!) and Mike Crane. The rope was unwrapped and Murphy swam safely to shore. Tired as ole heck but he was fine.”

Talk about being grateful! I’ll deliver Jerry his slippers for the rest of the week. Big thanks to Mike, too.

Budding Saturday: Talented Guests

Long Point Cove in Heart's Delight Newfoundland

Saturday’s are basically ‘Look How Pretty Newfoundland Is Day’ on our blog. We like to feature beautiful pictures of our beautiful province. Often that means pictures from the talented Bud Vincent. Today, we’re happy to share some pictures Peter Humby sent us from his family weekend at our cottages in Long Point Cove. Peter’s a return guest with a great family, and clearly an eye for photography. Thanks to him for sharing, and enjoy!

Cottage in Long POint Cove, in Heart's Delight, NewfoundlandOur cottage rentals in Long Point Cove, in Heart's Delight NewfoundlandChildren playing at our cottage in Heart's Delight, Newfoundland

Look closely at this one, and you’ll see Peter’s son, George, playing along the rocks!

Tuesdays with Murphy: Summer’s Here!

Golden Retriever playing in the Atlantic Ocean at Newfoundland cottagesLots to be excited about here at the cottages (upcoming on the blog, you’ll be reading about a new cottage, some workshops, some new shenanigans from Clifford). But what I’m most excited about? The fact that the weather is starting to turn and that summer is upon us. I can’t wait for all the hikes, all the boil-ups, all the marshmallow roasts. And, most importantly, all the dips in the ocean! And pets stay free for the rest of June, so that might mean a few extra playmates for me!

Budding Saturday: Traffic Lights

Newfoundland photography of seagulls

It’s Saturday, ie Newfoundland Photography Day on the Blog. Like the most beautiful pictures here usually are, these were taken by Bud Vincent.

Like Bud says, “’tis is a funny thing that human beings have great difficulty maneuvering around their vehicles unless there are traffic lights.  And, most times a number of drivers simply ignore them anyway.

Point is:  Seagulls don’t need traffic lights and as you can see, they certainly have much greater obstacles in their way, all at the one time.”

Newfoundland photography of sea gulls

Rest on the Seventh Day

Sunset Sunday was created to give us a day of rest, and boy do we need it! Between some significant DIY work in one of our St. John’s locations, and – more obviously – getting the new website operational (!!!!!!!), plus some extra work for The Berry and an awesome party last night, we are pooped! If you’re reading this, it means our new site is working on your servers, which is awesome. We’re waiting until tomorrow to officially ‘launch’ – to make sure it’s completely up and running without any hitches. In the meantime, enjoy the sunsets, enjoy each other, and stay tuned for an upcoming contest to celebrate our new duds!

Sunset Sunday: Earning Your View

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!

Tuesdays with Murphy: Fetch!

Boy oh boy, my humans sure need a lot of help! I’m not sure why, but Jerry keeps throwing sticks into the water. Someone has to retrieve them! Thankfully, ‘retriever’ is my middle name – literally – so I’m up to the challenge. Honestly, I don’t know what they’d do without me. 

Got it! And I love the Atlantic Ocean – I’m so lucky to get to play here every day!

Sunset Sunday: Outside and Inside

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.

 

Whale in Trinity Bay

A big thanks to my lawyer, Steve Marshall, for these pictures. I would have loved to have seen this first-hand! But I’m grateful he sent me the pictures, and excited that this whale was playing in Trinity Bay – maybe I’ll see him next year on the A Wake at Last!

For a little more info on these photos, here’s what Steve wrote me: “Photographer was Leslie (Hutton) Martin who was aboard Terry Daley’s and Rosemary Buckingham’s Lady Nora this past August. We were cruising from Trinity to Pope’s Harbour when we came upon the whales….we stayed there for over an hour…..” Lucky sighting and great shots!