Tag: travel

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Radiant Sunsets

I should probably change the name of this blog from ‘Jerry by the Sea’ to ‘Jerry Watching the Sky’ given the number of posts I dedicate to sunsets. And if you’ll indulge me again, we had one the other night that begged to be photographed. Where ever I am I’m drawn to watch each evening, but here and now the cleanliness of the air and the cooling temperatures are making the sunsets more radiant than anything I have seen before.

When photographer Michael Hanson stayed with us, he told me that ‘real’ photographers don’t take pictures of sunsets or sunrises – they take pictures of their effects. I hope I captured some of that here. Not that I’m a ‘real’ photographer yet, but I’m trying!

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Young Artists in the Wonderful World of Whiteway

You know that I can’t rave enough about the artistic talent out here in Whiteway, and that I try to use this space to promote local artists and events – I’ve gotten so much from this community, I’m more than happy to share it. In that vein, well-known Newfoundland artist and friend Clifford George has emailed me some pictures, telling me that he likes to promote young people who show an interest in art. It’s clear from these pictures that Clifford is more than their ‘promoter’ – he is also surely a mentor and teacher, and we are so blessed to have him – and such bright young people – in our community.

So here are some of these young people. First is Dylan, who is interested in painting and the colour wheel, so Clifford has been trying to teach him that. According to Clifford, Dylan has done 5 Shag Rocks, because ‘practice makes perfect.’ You can see in these pictures just how much practice he’s put in – they’re really amazing. Another of Clifford’s informal students is 13 year-old Ashley. I asked Clifford to tell me a little bit about her to include with her pictures, and he wrote this: “She loves to draw and to write poetry. She loves animals and loves to ride horse back. She has been coming down to our house for a few years now, she usually leaves poetic notes around the house.” As you can see from these pictures, Ashley, like Dylan, is an eager and gifted student, and I’m happy to be able to showcase this budding young talent with you. All in all, I wish these young artists the best and am sure they have a bright future ahead of them.

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Tuesdays with Murphy: Fields of Barley

What is not to love about life in the Wonderful World of Whiteway – I moved in with Jerry and The Berry months ago and they’re still finding new places for me to explore. Here I am in Hopeall where Newfoundland ponies normally roam at the Horse and Pony Protection Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Unfortunately for me, all the horses are out to pasture for the summer. Too bad! I wanted someone new to play with – and I’m almost as big as them, so I thought they might take me as a fellow four-legged.

But I always look on the bright side of life and even though I was alone it was great fun to bound through the fields and smell the barley, flowers and scents of my cousins who run wild in these parts. Jerry promised to take me some new places in Hopeall this week, so, I’ll take him at his word, if you’ll take me at mine that I’ll share my adventures with you when he does. Paws crossed!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN3k3ZLXoSw&feature=youtu.be]

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A Wake at Last

Yesterday was a good – make that great – day in the Wonderful World of Whiteway – and one that I was afraid wouldn’t happen for us. It was the official kick-off of 10 more days of the food fishery (where individuals are allowed a small quota of fish each day) and boat troubles that have been plaguing us for the past several weeks made me worried we wouldn’t be able to go out and enjoy it.

But with a great thanks to Alf and Randy Peddle, we converted the boat from two Johnson motors to one 225 HP Yamaha! It was a challenging job made harder by the fact that shaft was 4 inches too short. We had to put an extension on the back of the boat at Woodman’s Welding shop in New Harbour. Craig Newhook and Sam Pitcher are experts and made the bracket in record time – which is just about how much time we had!

So we were able to join our neighbours and all the little boats of Newfoundland that took to the water …. and I caught the first fish – take that, Berry!

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Bingo Calling

Before coming to the Wonderful World of Whiteway, I hadn’t played Bingo in about 45 years, I think. And even here, game night was starting to fade, and there was talk of shutting it down. There was talk, that is, until Hilda, The Queen of Bingo herself, got actively involved. She found ways to cut expenses and promote it, even volunteering to call it herself.

We went a night she was calling, Laurelyn made $20, and we had a lot of fun – so much so we went back the week after. This time, LL was one number away from winning the $500 jackpot. I’m almost glad she didn’t win – she likes to brag when she beats me. Luckily, that never happens … OK! OK! Maybe it happened once during the fishing season … OK! OK! Maybe it was every time she went out with me! I let her win!

But bingo is back, and Hilda and her rescue committee are to be congratulated. They play every Wednesday at the Rec Centre from 8:30 – 10 PM. Come have some fun.

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Tuesdays With Murphy: In the Doghouse

I hope I haven’t given the impression that just because I live in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, it’s all fun and games out here. I can’t leave my humans alone for 5 minutes without them coming up with some new special project that, of course, I have to supervise. Take The Berry (a.k.a. Miss Kijiji), whose dalliance with online bargain shopping led us to one of our more recent work days – setting up the dog house.

When Jerry, Joe and Alf backed in the trailer, I knew it was ‘go’ time – these men can’t be expected to supervise themselves! Of course, the humans are calling this 6X6 from Mount Pearl a ‘shed,’ but I know what it really is …. four small walls, small roof, set outside in viewing distance from the house – that’s a doghouse if I ever saw one. Maybe it’s a bit bigger than the standard, but I’ve already seen Jerry ‘in the doghouse’ more than once. But not to worry, gentlemen – if your time in the doghouse starts becoming more literal than figurative, you’ll know I’ll be right along beside you to keep you company!

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Love is in the (Ocean) Air

We had another first here at the cottages, of the best kind. Corey proposed to Amanda while staying in The Gannet, and she said ‘yes’ – and we couldn’t be happier for them. We felt blessed to be involved in the process in even a small way. Corey and Amanda were clearly made for each other, their smiles bigger than the diamond, their obvious love for each other making the mood here sweet and electric at the same time. Am I rambling? Don’t blame me – blame it on the young love!

While it’s too early to have set a date yet, we wish Corey and Amanda all the best and hope to see them back. They’ll at least have to send us some wedding photos! 

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Oh! The Sunsets

I’ve already blogged about how my ‘church’ is Nature, specifically watching the sun set, specifically watching the sun set over the ocean. I think it’s the same for The Berry. I got this beautiful shot of her looking out at the sunset in wonder, awe and reflection. I thought it perfectly captured the moment – full of natural beauty (she gets that from her mother), strength and determination (which I hope I share with her). She puts me in mind of Mary from Random Passage (and, if you haven’t seen this movie, you must if you want to know who we Newfoundlanders are as a people).

We are grateful for all that the summer has brought and the lessons learned (we’re now rated number one in hotels in the province on TripAdvisor), but it’s been a lot of hard work. Hard work, and fun, too. We’re a little older, a lot wiser, and looking forward to things slowing down a bit so we can begin planning for our future. And continue enjoying our view every evening.

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Bogged Down

Since I rarely get the chance to use our ATV these days, I leave it at our Heart’s Delight cottages for guests to use to explore the back country (lots of it out this way). Many have enjoyed it. The most recent, maybe a bit too much – leading to another Ocean Delight adventure (I’m ALMOST getting too old for this!)

So the last person to use the ATV was Sean, visiting from Ontario. He went exploring after a night of heavy rain, and it wasn’t long before the bogs of Newfoundland wrapped themselves around the young man and held on tight.

Sean was alright of course, but what about the ATV? She had to be rescued from her muddy grave, so Sean’s Dad, Wayne, and his relative, Neville, set out with me, Murphy, and some ropes to do the job. We saved the day, and it if it looks like we’re having fun, it’s because we were – boys will be boys! Of course, we never would have managed if Murphy wasn’t there to supervise and bark out orders!

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Kayaking in Trinity Bay

We had two kayakers stay with us last week – Art and Don, both engineers, both from St. John’s. And they’re both my age or older, but you’d never think that looking at them – making me wonder if I should take up this sport! Anyway, they told us that this is a great place for kayaking – you can even go right through Shag Rock.

The Berry and I are thinking about getting canoes and kayaks to rent for next summer. Obviously I’ll let you know if we do!