Luxury getaways to the ocean's edge
The Doctor’s House is many things, including an animal sanctuary. If you’re a bird watcher, you’d love it there. It’s particularly fun now that all the baby birds are showing up. Who doesn’t love a baby bird?
One of my daughters lives on a float home in Victoria, BC. She too is inundated with our feathered friends. Check out this video she sent me of some visiting goslings. Imagine if this was the view out your back window!
I have an exciting new role – keeping my first cousins away from our chicken coop at The Doctor’s House. I sent word out to all the foxes (and would-be-foxes): “don’t FOWL with me.” We were told that our birds last year fell prey to foxes, weasels, hawks and eagles. Not on Murphy’s watch!
I have a keen eye and great sense of smell to help me in my duties. These eggs are for the kids that come to stay at The Doctor’s House – not for scoundrels who purport to call themselves four leggeds.
Jerry was so pleased when he went to get these eggs. He told me it was the first time he had done it. See that smile on his face – just like the kids will have on theirs when the fetch their own breakfast.
What we may lack in size on the Baccalieu Trail, we certainly make up in community spirit, and we know how to have a good time. We thought our guests and readers would appreciate a list of the many, many activities on the go around the cottage this summer. It’s going to be a great one! And this is an evolving list – if we’ve left anything out, please let us know!
June 14 – The Doctor’s House Inn opens
We had to include this one! Our Spa is already operational, and on June 14, we start accepting overnight guests at our sprawling, hidden gem of a Tudor Inn in Green’s Harbour.
June 29 – Canada Day Concert
Concert starting at 8pm in Carbonear’s Paddy’s Garden, featuring Superstar and Pros and Cons. Please note, this event is over 19 only.
June 30 – Wreath Laying at War Memorial
July 1st is not only a day of celebration in Newfoundland, as it is for the rest of Canada. On this day we also remember the losses at Beaumont-Hamel and commemorate the sacrifices of our armed services. The town of Winterton offers an opportunity for anyone wishing to lay a wreath; please contact Bob Andrews to participate (contact info on link provided).
July 1 – Canada Day
Most communities, Whiteway included, have family activities for Canada Day. Jerry’s also been know to attempt his own firework displays! Nearby Green’s Harbour, home of The Doctor’s House, will also have lots of fun events planned. Stay tuned to the blog for more details as we get closer to the date!
July 6 – 5th Annual Garden Party
Featuring the Tequila Rockingbirds and other acts, enjoy activities for kids from 2-4p, (complete with bouncy castle and dunk tank), and a 19+ concert at night.
July 9 – August 5 – The Holdin’ Ground Festival and Klondike Days
Celebrating Bay Roberts Cultural Heritage, this festival deserves a post of its own! Please see the Bay Roberts calendar for all the artistic, cultural and family events – we can all but guarantee there’s something fun for everyone. Notable is the fireworks display over Bay Roberts Harbour at 8:30pm on August 5.
July 13 – New Perlican Heritage Day
Immerse yourself in local history as New Perlican designates a new municipal Heritage Site. Celebrations include displays of artifacts from the Hefford Plantation Archaeological Dig, displays of antique and historic memorabilia, family photo and historic displays, and a special guest speaker who relates interesting stories from the past. All followed with tea and refreshments, this event is for all ages and held in the fully accessible Community Centre.
July 17 – July 21 – 25th Annual Squid Festival
5 days of fun community celebrations in Holyrood, including The Famous Beach Party on July 20, featuring the popular The Masterless Men.
July 20 – 50th Annual Placentia Regatta
St. John’s isn’t the only place to get your historic rowing fix. Rowing has a long history in Placentia, too, and you can expect a giant festival of games, food concessions, music and great racing. Not technically on the Baccalieu Trail, nearby Placentia is a fun place to visit.
July 20 – Back in the Day
In Green’s Harbour, enjoy the first day of the food fishery, then celebrate with supper, music and a great night out with Taylor’s Take Out. Starting at 6:30, tickets are $20.
July 21 – Gavin Simms and Chris Picco Perform
Enjoy these two Newfoundland singer-songwriters as they perform at the historic and beautiful St. George’s Heritage Church in Brigus.
July 21 – Cabonear Sprint Triathlon
This annual event and celebration of pure sportsmanship is not one to miss. Starting with a 500m dip in Freshwater Pond followed by a 20K bike ride through Carbonear and a 5K run, it’s a highlight of the summer for many.
July 27 – Winterton Day
Details to follow, but expect lots of family fun in this beautiful town near our cottages.
July 28 – July 29 – Shag Rock Festival (formerly Whiteway Festival)
Stay tuned as we’ll be releasing more information about this event as we get closer to the event. What we can promise for sure: lots of family fun, all in the Wonderful World of Whiteway!
July 28 – Jim Payne and Fergus O’Byrne Perform
Two of Newfoundland’s most well respected and loved performers join forces for a night of folk culture, including songs, stories and dance tunes. Held at the historic and beautiful St. George’s Heritage Church in Brigus.
Aug 2 – Aug 5 – Carbonear Days Weekend
A fun family weekend filled with children’s activities, walking and boat tours, traditional food and more. Stay tuned for more details.
August 2 – August 5 – Annual World Cup of Tiddley Tournament
Tiddley, once popular in rural Newfoundland, makes a comeback in Carbonear each year. A game dating back to Elizabethan England and Ireland, this wild garden game is great fun, and rules are negotiable! For the young and old, history lovers, good sports and everyone in between, it’s a good opportunity to get your outdoors and connect with you family and neighbours. Get your team ready now!
August 3- August 4 – Hopeall Crout’s Concert
Outdoor concert and folk festival in Hopeall featuring the Irish Descendents, Rocket Rocket Ship and Redline. Also enjoy a magic show for children and horseshoe tournaments. Enter a Facebook contest here to win Free Tickets to the see the Irish Descendents.
Aug 5 – August 18 – Tuckamore Festival
An annual intensive chamber music program for emerging musicians, featuring extraordinary performances. On August 17, enjoy a free concert at historic St. George’s Church in Brigus. For more information on concert dates and locations, please see here.
August 8 – August 11 – Blueberry Festival
One of the island’s most popular festivals, the Blueberry Festival is held in August each summer. Enjoy three days of festivities, crafts, concessions, contests and all the blueberries you can possibly eat. All set in beautiful Brigus, it’s a great event for families and couples.
August 9 – August 11 – Cavendish Beach Festival
Fun on the beach! Talent competitions, a circus, concerts and more. Not to be missed.
August 11 – Family Fun Day at the Wooden Boat Museum
We love the Wooden Boat Museum, and will be posting more details about their planned family fun day as we get closer to the date. Stay tuned!
August 14 – Fire and Fairies with S’mores
Fairies do exist! 7:30 at Mack’s Beach in Bay Roberts, listen to fairy stories and folk music as you nosh on s’mores. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, head to the Red Fisherman’s Shed.
August 18 – August 22 – Conception Bay Centre Regional Games
Held in Holyrood, these events are like a local Olympics for youth, encouraging young athletes to come together for cooperation, sportsmanship and a healthy lifestyle. Up until June 28th, youth ages 11-16 can register to participate in Softball, Co-ed Soccer, Bally Hockey and Basketball. Participate, or be sure to join the cheering squads this August.
August 21 – Haunting on Neck Road, Coley’s Point
Starting at 8pm at St. John the Evangelist Church in Bay Roberts, walk through a grave yard sipping hot chocolate and hearing ghost and fairy stories. Chilling!
We’ve got lots of on-going summer events on the Baccalieu Trail, too. Here’s some of our favourite options.
Live Theatre
We love the New World Theatre Project. Players perform Shakespeare and more on a stage modeled from the Elizabethan era and constructed with the same materials that would have been available to early settlers. Beautiful and unique, it’s a theatre experience unlike any you’ve had before. Their 2013 schedule will be released soon.
Also great are the the Baccalieu Players, the force behind the popular Brigus dinner theatre ‘ The Royal Shag Up.’ We’ll let you know their schedule as it’s released.
Wooden Boat Museum Workshops
Hands-on workshops that allow participants to actively learn the skills and knowledge associated with building traditional wooden boats – a task intimately tied to early Newfoundland culture and life. In nearby Winterton, this museum is not to be missed, and its workshops offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with your roots in a unique and meaningful way.
Bluegrass and Old-Time Country Music Jam Sessions
Music in your bones? Starting June 23, on the last Sunday of every month the Lions Club in Bay Roberts welcomes all levels to jam. From 2-5pm, bring your $5 admission and your instrument, and join in an afternoon of bluegrass and old time country music. Electric bass, lapp and pedal steel welcome.
“Live on the Lawn”
Enjoy history and music this summer at Hawthorne Cottage in Brigus, an Historic Site that was the home of seaman and arctic explorer Captain Robert. Bartlett. Every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon in July and August, enjoy theater performances exploring the life and times of Bartlett.
Yoga in Bay Roberts
Every Saturday morning, stretch your body and your mind at outdoor yoga classes at Macks’ Beach, 10AM. $10 a session.
Go Shopping!
There’s lots of shopping outside the overpass! Check out Some Good Market in Makinsons, a farmers’ market and craft fair featuring high quality, handmade items. Or check out the Bayman’s Flea Market in Spaniard’s Bay (The Berry did last summer, and found one of our favourite pieces of furniture at the cottages there). On August 4, enjoy outdoor shopping with artwork, music and a flea market at the Veteran’s Quay Marina in Bay Roberts, as part of their popular Klondyke Days. For a full list of shopping in the area, please see here.
Walking Tours
Walking tours are a great way to get intimately connected with a community. The town of Bay Roberts has two ongoing tours. The Heart of Heritage tour, held every Friday from 2-4pm in July and August, explores the historic Cable Building, the Christopher Prat Gallery and the Archives, all while walkers meet characters from the past in historic vignettes and enjoy traditional music and a cup of tea at the SUF Lodge. Or enjoy the Cellars and Songs Walking Tour, also in Bay Roberts, held every Saturday in July and August from 2-3. This tour meets at French’s Cove, and participants learn about life in a fishing community.
Luxurious Spa Treatments
Tucked away in Green’s Harbour, The Doctor’s House provides Aveda pure botanical products and sumptuous spa treatments, to restore, revive and replenish you in a beautiful and relaxing setting.
Cupids Cove Plantation Site Dig
Open all summer, watch archaeologists as they clean, label, catalog, store, digitize and interpret what they’re finding at one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Canada.
Please let us know – what are your favourite events each summer? What’s something you definitely can’t miss? And again, please let us know if we can make any additions to this list. Happy Summer, everyone!
Although you might recognize this handsome devil, for now lets call him Cliff MacGeorge! A renowned artist, community leader, local historian and all around great guy who also doesn’t take himself too seriously? Sounds like our kind of guy!
Happy Friday, everyone. Please stay tuned as we’ll have some exciting things lined up as the summer starts, and we’ll be sharing them on the blog. And have a great weekend!
Lisa has been at a workshop the past few days (more on that later), and I just had to share this picture. These are toutens, a traditional Newfoundland dish that is simple and delicious (and healthy, let’s pretend), that all visitors should try when they’re here. It sounds simple enough, but toutens are dough traditionally fried in fat-back pork (although oil and butter is often used now). Barry Parsons at Rock Recipes has a nice description of them, and when he says their “virtues are universally enjoyed by all who have known it,” he’s right!
I like my toutens with molasses (most of us do), but looks like Lisa’s were paired with a nice berry sauce. I’d take it! And if you’re interested in making your own, here’s a recipe. Please let me know in the comments – where’s the best place to get toutens? Do you make your own?
Here are some of the 40 large Newfoundland rose bushes we’re collecting from neighbours who wanted nothing for them other than to see them grow where they would be appreciated – so we moved them to the cottages. They really help with our ongoing landscaping efforts. Greed does not thrive around the bay. These roses were given freely, and we are so grateful. No doubt, life around the bay in Newfoundland is just a little bit different. We have found, “it is one for all and all for one all.” That’s why we love it here.
As if constructing a café, opening an inn and spa, and getting ready for the high season weren’t enough, we decided to build a new cottage. We’re calling it the Cranberry, since our old cottage of the same name is being converted into the Shag It Cafe and Gift Shop. As you can see, any future guests who stay here are going to have quite the view!
I generally try to keep my blog a space to share life in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, instead of as a chance to promote the cottages (although I can’t control what Murphy does – that dog has a mind of his own!). I love writing my blog for the pure sake of writing. But when Laurelyn told me we’re extending our golf packages, I wanted to share. Pitcher’s Pond is minutes away from the cottages, and it’s a stunning 9-hole course overlooking Trinity Bay and beautiful Pitcher’s Pond. And the next 4 people to book rooms at the cottages for this June will get a golf pass good for the entire year. Four!
This article MOSTLY speaks for itself – but I never miss an opportunity to get a word in! With little more than a year in the tourism industry, we’re not experts – but we’ve been very happy with our progress and have learned a lot. We were thrilled to share some of those lessons with the St. John’s Board of Trade Business News. If you haven’t read it yet, take a look! The Berry knows her stuff and has lots to offer!
If you follow the blog, you know there’s been lots of projects underway. I’m excited about them all, but perhaps none as much as getting this beauty sea worthy. Taking out our beautiful Boston Whaler, the A Wake at Last, was one of the highlights of last summer. God willing we’ll get lots of enjoyment – and catch lots of fish – out of it this year, too.