Our summer weather
is great for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, painting, bicycling,
birding, photography, and beach combing. And rock hounding, of course!
During heat waves well into 30sC and 90sF on the mainland, we
have had clear skies, light breezes, and temperatures in the 20s C or
70s F. Say Ahhhh....
Stones2Gems Cottage
is a small island holiday
cottage owned and maintained by Greg and Nancy McHone of North Head,
on the island of Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada. It is quiet,
private, very clean, and comfortable for 1 or 2 people, or a third
person could use the futon. The cottage was completely renovated in
2009 with new floors, furnishings, and beds. This is a place where
anyone can relax and enjoy a peaceful and inexpensive holiday, as
well as perfect for the amateur naturalist, rock hound, writer,
birder, photographer, or artist, with scenery that has attracted
visitors for more than 150 years. Come to our friendly, peaceful
island, far from the cares of your busy life.
We rent it by the week (usually
Sunday afternoon to Sunday morning), only to mature, non-smoking
couples and individuals. If you are looking for just a few days on
the island, we will try to accommodate you before mid-June or
after mid-September. Check the reservation calendar below, then contact us for special rates.
Rental seasons are
normally June through September, but if you wish to visit
another time, feel free to ask. The "high season" months are July
and August, and for then you should make your reservation as early
as possible -- see the calendar below.
Rates for 2013 are $550
for a week with one or more days in July or August, same as last
year and competitive with other island cottages. Our price includes
all taxes and fees. For weeks completely in June, September, or
October, the rate is $500 per week. Reservations for more than one
week have a $50 discount per week (you handle laundry and cleaning
during your stay). In some years due to rising costs we must raise the
weekly rent, but you come back next year, you will get this year's
rate.
Our location
on a quiet side lane has no ocean view because it is
set well back in a large private lot surrounded by trees. But it is only a short walk down to
Pettes Cove Beach and Net Point, or up the hill to Swallowtail Head
and Light.
Pettes Cove is unspoiled, peaceful, and very beautiful.
It is another easy walk past the ferry landing and through North
Head village, which has an active fishermen's wharf, post office,
restaurants, inns, small shops, and handsome old houses. Slightly
farther west are the
Saturday Farmer's Market, Stanley's
Beach, the drug store, bakery, and island hospital.
The cottage
is small, one bedroom with two new twin beds, a full bathroom with
closet off the bedroom, and a front room with a full kitchen and
living area, including a futon sofa and easy chair. It is not for
large families or for extra guests to stay over. A well-mannered
pet is OK, but you must agree to pay any related costs for cleaning
or damage. A TV with cable in the corner also plays videos & DVDs,
with a small library of movies and books, and a telephone for local
calls (bring your cell phone for long distance). The deck is
partially shaded during the day, with chairs and a small table as
well as a charcoal grill. Charcoal and lighter are provided. A
clothes line is in the back yard -- no washer/dryer at the cottage,
but a commercial laundromat is available down the island. For
folks who find stairs to be difficult, please note there are 8 steps
up to the deck and door.
It is
always beautiful on Grand Manan, with ever changing skies and
seas. Wild flowers are everywhere in
June, including fields of colorful lupines. The best weather usually arrives in July, and it is commonly clear
yet still mild through September into October. The warmest
temperatures are in mid-July through mid-August, but evenings are cooler, and air
conditioning is not needed or used by most island people. Breathe deeply --
the air has the moist, fresh, invigorating quality of the North
Atlantic Ocean.
You will find no heavy
traffic, no crowds, no tourist traps, no ugly developments -- just friendly people, small
unspoiled villages, and outdoor nature activities. Wander with your
camera, go hiking, kayaking, or biking, or just relax at
a beach or the cottage with a good book. Most things you need can be
purchased or rented on the island. Life here is secure and peaceful, with
fantastic ocean scenery everywhere you go.
The stereo microscope
on the small table can be used to examine stones, plants, shells,
sand, and other small items. I collect and renovate microscopes, so
let me know if you want one to take home.
Payment: At this time
(Dec. 2012) the American dollar is close in value to the Canadian dollar, so
for now we will take payments in either at the same rate. If we have
to make a different exchange, we will let you know as early as we
can. Immediate payment of half ($275) is requested to reserve the
cottage, with the remainder due upon arrival. Refunds are possible
up to 2 weeks before arrival (earlier notice is appreciated).
Reservations are first come-first served, so contact us as early as
you can for the days you want. Payment is by personal cheque drawn on a US or Canadian bank in USD$ or
CND$ (made out to Stones2Gems), or by PayPal. Or cash, but only in person.
No business or bank cheques, please. Sorry, no credit cards
directly, but you can use them in PayPal (stones2gems@earth2geologists.net
is also the PayPal payment address).
Contact us via email or postal mail
for reservations and to arrange payment. Our mailing address is:
Greg and Nancy McHone
Stones2Gems
9 Dexters Lane
Grand Manan, NB E5G3A6 Canada
Please use
email if possible; or call us
at 506-662-3327 before 9 PM Atlantic time.
Every rental cottage has
a few rules.
How to get here? See these
travel
recommendations.
Get updates and information --
join our
Stones2Gems Cottage Facebook page
(click the Like button)
Nearby are many
places of interest.
What to do when you visit?
25
activities recommendations.
When is the best time to visit?
times
to visit
recommendations.
New to Grand Manan? Spend some
time looking over the
island website.
Here are some
Questions and Answers about visiting Grand
Manan
Here is a brief
History and Geology of Pettes Cove.
See this new travel video on
YouTube,
about a
visit to Grand Manan
scroll to the bottom to see a
calendar of reservations and events
