Blue Heron Cottage

📚 DID YOU KNOW: Daytona❓

Nothing says summer ☀️ like a day at the beach⛱.

📚DID YOU KNOW: There are over a dozen beaches within a half hour drive of Lunenburg❗ Every local has his or her favorite:
⛱ Some prefer the shallow waters of Sand Dollar Beach.
⛱ Hikers like the three kilometers of sand and rocks at Hirtle’s Beach and Gaff Point trail.
⛱ For warmer waters, families head to the beach at Big Mushamush Lake.

As a child🧒 I slept within earshot of a beach, having the rhythmic crash of the waves gently lull me to sleep. My favorite beach in this area would be a short ferry ride over to Crescent Beach.

Due to wishes of the original landowners, it is the one beach that is accessible for driving on - like Daytona Beach❗️ I enjoy the shelter provided by the stone breakwater, the fine sand and the calm waters.

While staying at the discover all the local beaches by checking out, https://www.lunenburgregion.ca/things-to-do/category/beaches.

What’s your favorite beach❓ Let us know - perhaps it's a beach we need to explore❗️

🤜 www.blueheroncottage.org

📚 DID YOU KNOW: Fast boats🛥 and rum🥃

Known for its fast schooners, rum🥃 has also played a role in the Lunenburg economy.

📚DID YOU KNOW: The eastern seaboard’s golden age of sail was also a time known for prohibition🚫. Having a fast schooner🛥 not only meant you got the best price for your fish, but also gave you one up on the authorities if you wanted to take on a secondary cargo such as rum🥃. Of course, there was no temptation in the fact that the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon were right next to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

Today, one of the growing cornerstones of the local tourism industry is the distillers🥃, brewers🍻 and wine🍷 makers of Nova Scotia.

When exploring🥾 from Blue Heron Cottage be sure to sample the local products. Unique grape and fruit wineries🍷 can be found just a short drive away, while cider🍺, beer🍻 and of course rum🥃 can be found, made in Lunenburg. Remember, as you “Relax, Unwind and Explore” do so responsibly, and be sure to bring some home with you.

👉 www.blueheroncottage.org

📚 DID YOU KNOW: A Marine Transition

In the Lunenburg area, June 1 traditionally marks the end of the commercial Lobster Season 🦞and the start of recreational boating ⛵️ season.

📚 DID YOU KNOW: During the Lobster Season🦞, the water can be a literal maze of ropes and buoys. Navigating around these obstacles can be a challenge even to a seasoned boater not to mention possible damage to fishing gear.

I always enjoy the views of Lunenburg from the water; all the other boats⛵️, nesting birds🐦, Oak Island, seals, whales🐋… all lead to a feast for the eyes and your camera📷.

The boating options for a visitor are quite varied. There are tours in the harbor🛥, sailing charters⛵️, whale🐋 and wildlife🦦 charters and the granddaddy of all adventures, a trip on the Bluenose II.

When you are vacationing⛱ on the south shore and relaxing😎, unwinding🍷 and exploring🥾 from the Blue Heron Cottage be sure to check out the many options available. Your hosts can point you in the right direction.

📚 DID YOU KNOW: TRADITION OR FABRICATION

The bright 🖍colors of the Lunenburg streetscapes have been capturing the imagination of visitors and photographers 📸 for years.

📚 DID YOU KNOW: Last week we discussed the Lunenburg bump as a traditional feature of Lunenburg houses. One other element that is often commented on is the multitude of bright 🖍colors in town.

This has been noted by visitors to maritime towns all over the world; spawning many stories about fishermen 🎣 wanting to be able to identify their houses 🏘 from the water🌊. Others say that the houses were painted🖌 the same color of boats 🚢 to use up left-over paint, or marine paint was not taxed, or that marine paint was more resilient.

It was not until the mid 1800’s that paint 🖌 technology advanced to be able to reproduce many of the bright 🖍 colors we see today. Traditionally white wash or earth pigment paints such as red ochre were the norm. Whenever the fashions of bright colors took ahold, in Lunenburg today it is a visual feast.

Be sure to have your camera 🤳🏽 ready when exploring the streets of Lunenburg from Blue Heron Cottage. Tell us your color story….

👉🏽 www.blueheroncottage.org

📚 DID YOU KNOW: The Lunenburg Bump.

Rich in a whole series of architectural styles, what sets Lunenburg apart from other areas is a unique feature, the Lunenburg Bump.

📚 DID YOU KNOW: People come to Lunenburg for a number of reasons. One of the main ones is the simple pleasure of walking🚶🏽‍♀️ the streets and marveling at the bright colors and architectural styling’s to be found in the town. Colonial, Gothic, Georgian, Victorian, Queen Anne; even the Newfoundland saltbox has a place. There are a number of houses dating back to the 1700’s.

One feature that stands out as unique Lunenburg feature is The Bump! Evolving from a Scottish five-sided dormer and embellished by the skilled carpenters🔨 of a shipbuilding 🚢 town, these protrusions usually over a door 🚪way are common throughout the area.

While some taller or higher houses featured a widows walk the Lunenburg Bump still afforded a view down the street to watch for the menfolk 👨🏽‍🤝‍👨🏾 coming up the road. Remember to bring your walking shoes 🥾 as you explore the architecture of Lunenburg during you stay at the Blue Heron Cottage.

👉🏽 www.blueheroncottage.org

📚DID YOU KNOW: When Is A Boat⛴ A Ship🚢?

In last weeks “Did you know”, I referred to the Theresa E Conner as a boat (or ship)

📚DID YOU KNOW: Last week's article got me thinking are we talking ship 🚢 or boat ⛴here? I grew up in Newfoundland where we claim to have a gift of the understatement. A body of fresh water does not deserve to be referred to as a lake unless you cannot see 👓 the far end, or when waiting for the Nova Scotia ferry we still ask is the “boat” in yet.

I wondered what the dictionary said…
📖 ship: a vessel; especially a large oceangoing one propelled by sails or engines. That still left room for interpretation so I kept looking. Then I found

📖ship: a sailing vessel square rigged on all three or more masts, having jibs, staysails and a spanker on the aftermost mast; or a bark with three or more masts. Certainly, more definitive, but not a lot of barks out there these days...

What will you call the “Bluenose” as you see her sailing around Nova Scotia this summer or how do you define a ship❓

A great question to ask on the waterfront in Lunenburg this summer as you explore from your base at the Blue Heron Cottage.

📚DID YOU KNOW: When you buy a boat⛵ (or ship🚢)…Not everyone would think about opening a museum‼

📚DID YOU KNOW: The Lunenburg Marine Museum Society purchased Theresa E. Connor and opened the vessel to the public in 1967. From her launching in December of 1938, she plied the waters off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in search of cod fish🐟.

It was the first building block of the museum, which later came to include the side trawler Cape Sable🚢, and other small vessels, properties along the Lunenburg waterfront and most recently the “Big Boat Shed”. This building will give additional space to tell the stories of fishing🐟 and boat building⛵ in Nova Scotia.

👉🏽Now known as the “Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic”, it is a must see in the Lunenburg area during your stay at the Blue Heron Cottage🥾.

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📚DID YOU KNOW: Star 🤩 struck

You never know who you may see walking🚶🏿‍♂️🚶🏽‍♂️ on the streets of Lunenburg.

📚DID YOU KNOW: Because of its streetscapes🛣 Lunenburg is often used in Film🎬🎞 and TV 📺 productions.

Locals are used to seeing workers holding up large signs🛑 saying quiet 🤫 please filming in progress or seeing Lincoln Street dressed for Christmas🎄 in September.

A number of years ago while sitting in my truck 🚛 downtown I nodded in greeting to two gentlemen, they returned my nod. Only about a minute later it clicked in that it was Cuba Gooding and Lou Gossett who were working on the miniseries📽🎞 Book of Negro.

I had fun two years ago looking at all the RV’s behind my house 🏡 on Green Street noting nameplates like Ms. Close.

Blue Heron Cottage was home to one of the cast members of The Curse of Oak Island. Which one❓

👉🏽Check out our comments at www.blueheroncottage.org‼‼ As you Relax, Unwind and Explore you never know who you may encounter.

TESTIMONIALS - Feedback is appreciated.

We started sharing our cottage🏠 through AirBnB and VRBO in February 2021. Since then we have been very busy with guests coming and going We were awarded SUPERHOST status in April‼

Now when we get to enjoy the property we are seeking ways to ensure our guests have a great experience. Here is some feedback that we have received:

"Amazing little cottage tucked away in the trees and right on the water. Rosalie & George are incredibly thoughtful. I can’t wait to return!" 🚶🏽‍♀️🐕

"We had an amazing stay and did not want to leave! The cottage was spotless and our welcome basket was such a nice special touch! It was an amazing place to unwind and relax!" 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♂️

👉🏽 Come enjoy the experience at the Blue Heron Cottage!
👉🏽👉🏽You can find us at www.blueheroncottage.org or Airbnb/VRBO

Home | Blueheroncottage / Cottage Rental /Lunenburg

🌷 BEHIND THE SCENES - Spring is in the air‼

We love the smell of the fresh outdoors! There is nothing better than getting into a newly made bed 🛏 and having that fresh outdoor ⛱ smell as you snuggle down under the covers.

When the weather ⛅ permits, we love to hang our bedding and towels outside to dry. This is environmentally friendly😄 and allows our guests to experience the great outdoors when they are snuggling into bed 🛌🏽 at the end of the day.

👉🏽 Come relax and enjoy the outdoor smell even when you are indoors - at Blue Heron Cottage.

DID YOU KNOW: Fish was Cod‼

🐟 Lunenburg has always been tied to the fishing industry that has evolved over the centuries.

DID YOU KNOW❓ Early peoples were drawn to the Lunenburg area for the rich resources of the ocean🌊.

In the golden age of sail ⛵ the town was known for it’s great ocean-going schooners. Hundreds were built here and they plied the waves🌊 for trade and in search of “fish”. In those days fish 🐟meant only one thing… cod; usually involving long trips to the grand banks south of Newfoundland.

Today the industry is greatly diversified with small boats🛥 fishing locally and large ships🚢 still headed off shore for weeks at a time.

During your stay at Blue Heron Cottage:
🐟 walk the Lunenburg waterfront,
🐟 say hello to the local fishers and
🐟 stop at the Lost Fishers Memorial
🐟 pay respect to those that choose this dangerous profession

🌐 www.blueheroncottage.org

📚 DID YOU KNOW: Old Labrador

The first Europeans 🚶🏽‍♂️to settle in the Lunenburg Area were the French, known later as Acadians. The earliest European🚶🏽‍♂️ settlers called Lunenburg Merliguesche. Throughout the 1600’s there were a number of French families👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 living in the area.

📚 DID YOU KNOW: Just to the west, in LeHave, there was a small fort and chapel⛪. One of the last French settlers 🚶🏽‍♂️ living in Lunenburg when the British sponsored settlement began was Paul Guédry, dit LaVerdure. Being quite a mouthful for the newly arrived settlers, he became known as Paul “Old” Labrador. His house was a guiding landmark for early fishermen.

Today as you explore 🥾 from the Blue Heron Cottage you can visit the “Old French Cemetery” just west of the Fisheries Museum.

www.blueheroncottage.org

Great Blue Heron ♥️
Love this majestic bird. First sighting this year at Blue Heron Cottage. It was amazing.
😊💙🐦

📸 BEHIND THE SCENES: Cottage improvements began early...

When we first purchased our cottage, the bathroom facilities🛀🏽🚽 were somewhat lacking! There was an outdoor shower🚿 and an OUTHOUSE.

Imagine the experience you might have had - would you have enjoyed the rustic experience or looked for something just a little more refined❓ You can guess my choice 🚽🧻😊

📚 DID YOU KNOW: E’se’katik or Assdik – The Place of the Clams

👩🏽👨🏽Human habitation of the Lunenburg area goes back hundreds; if not thousands of years📜

📚 DID YOU KNOW, Lunenburg was one of many places the Mi’kmaq spent their summers. Here they gathered the rich resources of the land 🏞 and the water🌊.

Clams, lobster 🦞and other shellfish 🦐were gathered, various ocean species of fish 🐟 were harvested as well as berries, small animals 🦌 and medicinal plants🌿. Come winter they would travel inland 🏔 following the various rivers 🏞 of the area.

When staying at Blue Heron Cottage be-sure to walk 🥾 the Harbourwalk Trail 🚶‍♀️🚶🏾‍♂️exploring the medicinal garden near the playground and the Old French cemetery.

🔎 See if you can find the 1753 Mi’kmaq gravestone for N Paul. There are many Mi’kmaq descendants still living in the area.

👩‍🍳Baking biscuit day!

All out of biscuits 😭at the blue heron cottage...need a 👩‍🍳 baking day to replenish the stock for our guests. Come have a taste.

FUNDAY FRIDAY - Have you ever wondered how an egg-laying 🥚rabbit🐰 came to be the symbol of easter❓

Think about it! Rabbits laying eggs! Really⁉️. You do know that rabbits are mammals! Right⁉️

Could it have started with the German Osterhase? Fertility symbols? The resurrection? However it started, the rabbit is to easter what Santa is to Christmas - a recognizable symbol.

We wish you a happy easter and hope the egg-laying rabbit leaves you some chocolate eggs!

BEHIND THE SCENES: So we have added to the Cottage🏠 decor!

We want our guests to be able to relax 🎶 and unwind 🍷 during their stay. We have two bed 'looks' now and would love your input 📃.

If you were coming to stay at Blue Heron Cottage, which look👓 would you prefer?🤷‍♀️

📚 DID YOU KNOW: Urban Planning From Afar

Established in 1753, Lunenburg streets 🛣 were laid out by planners sitting in London 4700 km away.

📚 DID YOU KNOW, the town is recognized as an outstanding example of British colonial urban planning: meaning, 'make sure the streets are all straight and the corners are square'.

While a great concept on paper 📜it does not take into consideration the topography 🗺 of areas like Lunenburg. As a result, there are some interesting hills; but, by golly the streets are straight! 🛣.

Be sure to wear good walking shoes🥾👟 when you leave Blue Heron Cottage to explore Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🤳🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

📚 DID YOU KNOW: A Boat Too Long!

March 26 marks the 100th anniversary of the launch of the iconic Bluenose, the sailing ambassador of Nova Scotia⛵.

📚 DID YOU KNOW that the original design was 7 feet 10 inches too long 📏to compete in the International Fisherman’s Cup. Forced back to the drawing board the designer William Roué made changes such as laying the ballast directly on the keel and increasing the headroom in the forecastle. This contributed to the unique shape of the Bluenose and possibly her speed.

This picture was taken by George Case from our boat. Be sure to plan a trip to see the Bluenose during your stay at Blue Heron Cottage

SPRING IS HERE! Hard to believe the change! It's a great time to enjoy spring on the red chairs.☀️🌤️🐦🌱😊🏖️

Last blast of winter! Lots of winter today at Blue Heron Cottage. It doesn't matter cause tomorrow is SPRING.❄️🌨️🌬️🌱🌷☀️

Happy St. Paddy's Day from Blue Heron Cottage! ☘️ We did find something green 👕 to wear. Cleaning the cottage today for guests coming tonight. Just a beautiful day here today.🏞️
🧣👕🤳🍀

The Mersey River. We took a drive to Keji to enjoy the spring-like day. Within driving distance from Blue Heron Cottage, we also saw deer there.🌱🌷🏞️🦌

Blustery day! Thought we'd go exploring some beaches today. It was cool (6°C) and windy but we got to walk on Bayswater Beach. Now we're heading back to prepare for our next guests at Blue Heron Cottage. 🌤️💨💁🤳🥾🌊🐚⛱️

Deer, deer everywhere! There are always deer to see at Blue Heron Cottage. When was the last time you got 'up close and personal' with a deer?
🦌🏞️🌥️🥾🚶🤳🐦🌳

Beach Combing! What a great day 🌤️ to walk 🚶a beach and explore. There are several sandy beaches 🌊🐚⛱️ within easy driving distance from Blue Heron Cottage to experience. 🚗🥾🤳

Beauty in nature! Unwind and explore by taking a walk through natural areas. Be sure to take time to see the British Soldier Lichen.
🌳🐦🚶🚶‍♀️🚶🏿‍♂️🚶🏽‍♀️🌷

SPRING...could it be? Looking for signs of spring? I think I found the first sign of p***y willows...🌷💐🐦🌳🩳

Special things happen at Blue Heron Cottage...what memories will you make!
So happy 😊 to have supported this special event.❤️💍👩‍❤️‍👨🍾🥂