Luxury getaways to the ocean's edge
Last year, Joe Friday was our Screecher. I’ve now taken over, with one Screech In under my belt (a Screech In is a fun, irreverent way for outsiders to become honourary Newfoundlanders – kissing a cod may or may not be included!). Many thanks to Ann and Zofia, and Herb and Linda from Petawawa, for being our guinea pigs!
With thanks to EDMO (Eastern Destination Management Organization), we had a film crew at the cottages from Travel Guy TV (TGTV) from Toronto . It was Frank Greco and his team, who are filming a new show to add to their series called ‘The Travel Guy.” This series is currently being broadcast on Discovery World HD.
They were here over 4 hours. Clifford was our ambassador. He cooked cod tongues and talked about Heart’s Content, Heart’s Delight, Heart’s Desire, Dildo, and other unique community names along the Baccalieu. It was an exciting day, we were excited and grateful for the opportunity to share our story. Stay tuned – we’ll let you know when it airs!
Anyone who had been to the cottages (or reads this blog regularly, for that matter), knows the many faces of Joe. He’s a service manager extraordinaire, doing any odd jobs you can think of, always going above and beyond, always anticipating our guests’ needs before they do. What can we say, we wouldn’t make it without Joe Friday!
And now that we’re running the Shag It Cafe and Gift Shop, that couldn’t be more true. It’s been crazy opening up this new venture (which is at our Whiteway cottages location), we have lots of great new staff, and we’re busy working on our kinks and getting it right. And we couldn’t have done that without Shag It Joe. Or is that Joe Shag It? Hm, not sure if either of those sounds right!
Either way, don’t forget – today’s the last day to enter our Facebook contest – the winner of the draw gets a $50 gift certificate towards the Shag It, or a Shag It tee shirt or apron. Should you enter? Shag It – why not?
We have our like-family guests, Mike and Gloria, to thank for these great shots of their Newfoundland vacation. After their time with us, they set us this email – it’s exactly the kind of feedback that makes us love our job, and keep creating new ways to help visitors enjoy the Baccalieu Trail. Below are their pictures of Brigus, another beautiful community on the Baccalieu Trail. Thanks again, Mike and Gloria, and we hope to see you back!
Hello,
Mike and I would like to thank you again for our enjoyable holiday at Whiteway. We met and enjoyed talking to a lot of wonderful people and have made some new friends.
Wished that the cafe had been open when we were there and could have enjoyed some of the home cooked treats.
Thank you Jerry for the boat tour of Shag Rock and the beautiful coast line of Trinity Bay. I got some great pictures of Shag Rock and also a long distance one of the eagles.
We will certainly recommend the cottages and the gorgeous Doctor’s House Inn and Spa.
I have enclosed some photos from our tours, not bad for a cheap camera.
Thanks again and all the best,
Mike and Gloria
Since we’re trying to spend our downtime exploring the area a little bit (it’s always a treat getting more acquainted with the Baccalieu Trail), The Berry reccomended we check out the Wooden Boat Museum in nearby Winterton. She’d been before and loved it, and we’ve blogged before about their great workshops and exhibits, dedicated to the history and context of traditional Newfoundland boats and boat building. So I was excited to see it with my own eyes. I was not disappointed. We saw lots, learned lots, and really enjoyed ourselves. I can’t say I’ve been in tons of museums, but it was definitely one of my favourites. 
Visiting guests, if you’re interested in your own day trips, there’s lots to do! Please feel free to ask for recommendations, or check out our Things to Do page to learn more.
Just like this time two years ago I never thought I’d be in the tourism business, this time a year ago I never thought I’d be in the restaurant one. The Shag It Cafe and Gift Shop is open, with lots of success, but also lots of learning already under our belt. Barely a week in, we’re still working on the ins and outs, but thankfully, our view, our fabulous and tasty menu, and our fun gifts, seem to be doing the trick. We’re grateful to our friends, neighbours, guests and community for supporting us so far.
I’m also very grateful because our opening happened to coincide with a visit from my daughter, Kathryn, who lives in BC. She came with her boyfriend, Victor. Both rolled up their sleeves and pitched in – it’s true what they say, many hands make light work. When your family’s involved, it’s light work indeed. And a pleasure, too.
You know I like using this blog to share special stories from our guests – well, get ready to start seeing some guests from The Doctor’s House now, too! I don’t spend quite as much time there (I hold down the fort at Ocean Delight most days!), so Rosemary got this picture and told me about the wonderful ladies who make up the Red Had Edison Club. I’m told it was one of the friends’ birthdays, so they surprised her with a night at The Doctor’s House. They said it was important to spend time with your girlfriends because they are the ones who will always be there for you. Judging by the stories my daughters tell me, I think they’re right!
I took this picture on a recent day trip to Grow Dat Farms. I’m always talking up the great day trips you can take on the Baccalieu Trail, so this summer, in our very limited free time, The Berry and I are trying to practice what we preach. Grow Dat Farms in nearby Heart’s Delight was a great place to start. They’ve got fruit, flowers, vegetables, and herbs, all organic and fresh. And of course, chickens! We love their hen house – makes me wonder if it’s something I could replicate at The Doctor’s House. Regardless, it’s a fun place to visit, and just a reminder to guests – we love giving recommendations if you’re looking for fun things to do in the area, and we have a list of local activities here.
Turns out I’m not the only one with a hand for blogging – please check out this wonderful piece, written by The Berry! Laurelyn was happy to guest post for the Newfoundand and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, an organization I know she is proud to be a member of and support. With an extensive network they help women start, grow and advance leading-edge businesses (remind you of anyone?). Writing And Now for Our Next Act, Laurelyn outlines our journey from clueless about the hospitality industry to now operating three unique ventures. It’s a great read!
So much going on to be grateful for. Most importantly – my daughter and her boyfriend, Victor, are here to visit for a week. And, the recreational food fishery has started – bring on the A Wake at Last and the fishing! We celebrated Kathryn’s birthday yesterday with a boat trip and it was just what the doctor ordered. Picnic, fishing, presents (Kathryn loves her Shag It apron, now available since this is our first week open!), and time with loved ones. What a treat.
