The Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast has just recently been listed as one of the Top 100 Bed and Breakfasts in the world. Can you believe that…. the whole world. I took a break from strutted around for awhile with my fingers in my suspenders feeling very proud and with excitement forwarded this link to everyone i know. so important as it is I decided to record it here for all to follow also.
This May and June Jan and I travelled to Newfoundland Labrador with Jan’s sister, Suzy, and our friend, Tokiko, from Kobe Japan. We departed and flew from Toronto to St John’s NFLDL after the May Long Weekend and arrived back home the first week of June. We stayed in 12 Bed and Breakfasts over the two weeks.The convenience of staying in the St John’s Airport Ramada Inn made our arrival and departure nights a very positive and affordable experience.
Overall we had a ball…every B&B was different in some unique way. A very commion theme in Newfoundland is the kindnesses and the hospitality offered by the people we encountered.
Near the end of our two week adventure we found a B&B or two B&Bs owned by the same folks that were the highlight of our trip to NFLDL. We originally called and made a reservation for only one night and because of the comforts, service,food and frienships we decided to stay a second night. The Inn by the Bay and George House Heritage Bed and Breakfast have everything that one would expect of an upscale B&B. These two homes were clearly most like our Sunny Rock B&B in so many ways. Our guests who feel we offer something special would delight in this experience in Dildo NFLDL. Yes I said Dildo! I can see it now this blog will show up in all sorts of places on the internet.
As pictured below the two homes, both operating as B&Bs over look the Bay in Dildo. The homes are owned by partners Todd Warren and Dale Cameron. Inn by the Bay is th lower home and George House is up on thee hill.
Inn By The Bay and George House B&B Dildo Newfoundland Labrador
Both Todd and Dale sure know how to run homes that were immaclately cared for and tidy and fabulously present their food in 5 star style Within a short few minuted following our arrival to the Inn by the Bay we were invited to have happy hour and freshly made munchies in the parlour of the George House. Not being one to pass that up we were wowed by the hospitality. We instanly found a personal connection to our hosts. The laughs were many…from the breakfast to the late night conversations.
We went out to dinner at the Dildo Grill in downtown Dildo. Todd called ahead to the restaurant and ordered our desert for us. This really decadent ooye and gooey dessert followed our dinner. I do not remember the name of the desert however see how wonderful it looks.
Gooy NFLDL Dessert
Dildo is an ideal location to stay and take day trips to various parts of the Avalon Peninsula which contains almost 50% of the population of the province. The Avalon Peninsula has four quadrants – the Baccalieu Trail forms the northwestern quadrant, the Admirals’ Coast is in the centre, the Killick Coast in the northeastern quadrant, the city of St. John’s is at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean along the eastern side, the Irish Loop is in the southeastern quadrant, and the Cape Shore forms the the southeastern quadrant. This is how easy it is to enjoy a large area and always return home to this very special venue.
If you are planning a holiday to Newfoundland consider this beautiful spot and be sure to tell Todd and Dale that Sunny Rock Sally sent you.
Inn By The Bay78 Front Road Dildo Newfoundland
Toll Free 1 888 339 7829
www.dildoinns.com
George House Heritage Bed and breakfast 80 Front Road Dildo Newfoundland
Toll Free 1 888 339 7829
www.georgehousebnb.com
Minden Hills Cultural Centre Fundraiser: Beet Beethoven Run Minden, July 4, 2010 at 9 am for a 3.5 or a 7 km walk or run.
Minden Hills Cultural Centre home of the Agnes Jamison Gallery, Minden Hills Museum & R D Lawrence Place will host the Beet Beethoven Run Minden, July 4, 2010 at 9 am for a 3.5 or a 7 km walk or run.
Walk or run in support of the Minden Cultural Centre and Highlands Brass Academy both located in Minden Village a village of the Haliburton Highlands Ontario.
Beet Beethoven is a unique family friendly racing event that combines the arts and sport in a fun and exciting way. The participants line up, the gun goes off and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony begins! The goal is to make it to the finish linebefor the symphony finishes.
Register now go to the Minden Hills Cultural centre website www.mindencultural centre.com ) for fees, route maps and info.
The Haliburton Highlands Ontario has excellent trail systems. Be it cycling, hiking, horseback riding, or even walking in the tree tops in a canopy tour. We have the trails to suite every ability.
Combine trail adventures with GPS technology for geocashing fun throughout the Haliburton Highlands.
Mountain biking challenges are available in the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve and the Sir Sam’s Ski and Snowboard Area.
Warm up your winter with snowshoeing on over 100km or trails for dogsledding adventures.
www.trailandtours.com
www.haliburtonforest.com
www.sirsams.com
www.cyclehaliburton.ca
www.geocaching.com
www.winterdance.com
www.haliburtonholidays.com
The hosts of the Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast know the trails intimately and would like to lead you to the trails of your choice.
The Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA) invites sledders to enjoy 500km of excellent wide groomed trails with spectacular scenery. Riders are advised that when travelling on HCSA trails, a valid OFSC permit is required.
Snowmobiling is also available at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve. Over 300 km of trails are located within the private property. OFSC Permits are not valid in this area and a separate permit must be purchased. Permits are limited and reservations are suggested.
www.hcsa.on.ca
www.ofsc.on.ca
www.haliburtonforest.comwww.haliburtonholidays.com
Over 100 km of Cross Country Ski Trails are maintained by the Haliburton Nordic Trails Association as well as an additional 25km at the Leslie Frost Nordic Ski Centre. Permits are required. Check the websites for updated ski conditions.
Alpine Skiing is available at Sir Sam’s Ski and Snowboard Area in Eagle Lake Ontario. 12 groomed runs will challenge every level of ability.
www.skihaliburton.com
www.skithefrost.ca
www.sirsams.com
www.haliburtonholidays.com
Many Cross Country and Alpine Skiers enjoy the “Après ski†activities at the Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast. During the Winter snow on the ground months we would be happy to provide for you an â€après ski†dinner. You need only ask when you call for your reservation.
Call Sally
1-888-786-6976
Art and culture in the Haliburton Highlands.
“more paintings about buildings and rocksâ€
Victoria Ward and Gary Blundell
June 4th to July 24th, 2010
The intriguing title was chosen as a play on words based on a record from 1978 by the New York based band the Talking Heads. (“more songs about buildings and rocks). This record and others that emerged during the late seventies, instigated Blundell and Ward’s exploration into radical thinking and art making. “more paintings about buildings and rocks†refers to the fact that they generally focus their work on geology and architecture.
Northern StarsMarch 13th to October 2nd, 2010
Prepare to have your heart strings played by this powerful story of love, adventure, tremendous loss and solace. Ron Lawrence established a wildlife sanctuary in Uphill on North Star Farm and recorded humorous and touching tales from the time in the Zoo That Never Was. In this Exhibition find out why he left the farm and undertook an Alaskan sea voyage. These stories leave an unforgettable imprint on your heart. Come explore the RD Lawrence Place.
Minden Cultural Centre
705-286-2808
Highland Yard 10K Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk. 2K Family Walk: Minden Ontario July 30, 2010 6 PM
The ‘Yard’ is a long standing tradition for Haliburton Highland’s cottagers and residents, as well as many camp alumni and running clubs across Ontario. Each year, the run raises much needed funds to help send kids to camp for 39 years in a row.
The participants of The Highland Yard take part for many reasons. It’s a beautiful rout in Minden Ontario, it’s the perfect opportunity to get exercise with friends and family and best of all it’s a great was to raise funds for Amici Camping Charity.
Amici Camping Charity sends children from low-income families to summer camp throughout Ontario- 27 camps in fact. Each child has the opportunity to experience the great outdoors (usually for a 2 week session). And the great thing is Amici will continue to send them every summer until they are too old to go.
Our events offered certified routs, event shirts, professional chip timing, race kits and prizing and a fun-filled family After Race BBQ Party, including silent auction! The 2K family walk is something everyone can enjoy together while raising funds for a worthy cause.
Register online at www.runningroom.com
Download the registration form at www.amicicharity.org and mail it to: Amici Camping Charity, 150 Eglington Ave E, Suite 204, Toronto, ON M4P 1E8
416-588-8026
info@amicicharity.org
Regular Registration ends July 16, 2010
July 17 to Race Day a late fee will apply
As a Bed and Breakfst owner I vow that I will always be on time or I will call my host if I know I will be a late arrival. The moment I know that I am leaving my starting point later than I expected I call my host to give them a heads up. Knowing I am not going to be on time 2 or 3 hoours before is often something I know. By calling, texting or emailing the heads up of our late departure allows the incoming host a chance to do a couple of errands, slow down in the cleaning room process, prepare something in the oven, walk the dog or have a well deserved nap before your real anticipated time of arrival.
I think my mother and father brought me up to respect my time and the time of others. Mom always had my siblings and I understand that it is respectful to tell your host that you will be late and not on their door at the time that you plan or establish. For this littlee tidbit of lifeskill I feel richer for it. I also know that others feel the respect and this makes for building stronger relationships.
It is also true that those who know me and understand my philosophy of respecting other people’s time know that I am never late and if I anticipate being late I will call or email or text message a cell phone. They also know that there was so pretty important reason that I have not made it to their door and it might mean that I will need their help or something.
Hint #3 a question a newbie could ask is : how important is it that we arrive on time or at the time that we designate?
The host’s answer to the question might be a little revealing. In my case I am often on my own as Jan works out of Toronto. When I am on my own and I am expecting guests for 1 pm and they do not arrive until 5 pm I likely will not get to Minden in time to pick up that needed something to prepare the guests breakfast, the dog is probably feeling deprived of her walk and the heat of the day has prevented me from taking a guest for a swim or a natural whirlpool. In the winter i will feel deprived of my opportunity of a cross country ski or a dinner out with friends. There has been others that have now been affected by the late arrrival guests.
I am sure that I, as a B&B Host, am not alone in saying that we would wish to hear from our guests if they know they will be later than the designated time…particularly if the timing was very specific for a reason. I have on a number of occasions explained to guests that I have dinner plans or a ticket to the theatre and would hope to welcome and orient the guests to the house and the dog before I will need to depart for my dinner or theatre.
Cannot tell you how many times guests have been late even knowing about our dinner oth theatre tickets and prevented me from meeting my time line and that I have had to cancel.
Entrapenuers know and understand that “time is money”. If only we as Bed and \Breakfast owners could ask our guests to understand that if we are sitting arroung waiting on the guests we also would be wasting out time and money.
Like many B&B hosts, Jan and I at the Sunny Rock B&B are often very active in our community and like to attend scheduled programs, a timed dinner, or a ticked events. Jan and I have been in businesss for 15 years now… can you tell that this is a little pet peeve.
Please please please call if you are going to be late and ask how important is it that we are right on time? We will love you for it! Sally
There appears to be no author to the definition to Bed andBreakfast in Wikiipedia so I am unable to give a reference other than to the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_and_breakfast#Professional_and_trade_associations
Once you have read all about what a B&B is and explored the various B&Bs in differeent areas of the world we hope you will come and stay with us at the Sunny Rock Bed and Brekfast in Minden Ontario.
Happy reading! ta ta for now. Sally
