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Finding the perfect vacation rental is always a challenge. Heron Shoal Cottage vacation rental wants to eliminate as much of the guess work as possible. This is a list of questions (with corresponding answers) that some of our visitors on a Sunrise Trail vacation have asked along with some that nobody has thought of yet. Click on a question to reveal the answer:
Location Is the cottage located near water? The front deck of Heron Shoal is across the lawn, 50 feet from the shore. You'll see, hear and smell the salt air from the cottage. What is the size of the cottage and its property? The cottage is 1,200 sq. ft. in size and are situated on a private 2¼ acre lot. How far is the nearest town or city centre? Wallace is a 10 minute drive and Tatamagouche is 20 minutes (see our Maps page). How far is the grocery store, supply store? Quick supplies can be purchased at the Malagash Market (in season), 5 minutes away or at Grants Variety in Wallace (10 minutes). Tatamagouche, which is a 20 minute drive, is a regional town with amenities like a full service grocery store, a liquor store, a hospital, a library, a hardware store, etc. How does one access the cottage; by road, boat, other? The cottage is accessible by road, sitting on its own private seaside property. What is the "neighbourhood" like; is it safe for young children? The immediate neighbourhood is a combination of seasonal cottages and year-round homes. The Malagash Peninsula (see map) is approximately 15 km long and 3 km wide. The area is quite peaceful and very friendly. Is parking available: how many vehicles? Heron Shoal comfortably handles 3 to 4 cars - parking is right at the back door of the cottage. Does cellular phone coverage extend to the area?? Costs What is the rental cost per week? Rates are expressed in Canadian dollars and vary during the seasons. Please see our rates and details page at Heron Shoal. How is the rate determined; by the number of guests or flat weekly rate? The weekly rate includes up to six people at Heron Shoal. What type of payment is accepted; credit cards, cheques, money order? We accept cheques, money orders, bank transfers or cash. Is a security deposit required? How and when is the deposit reimbursed? A cheque for the Security Deposit will be refunded by mail within 15 business days of departure. No. The only thing that we ask is that you please leave the cottage in an orderly fashion for the comfort of the next guests. Are there extra costs for the use of the phone? There is no charge for local calls as well as toll free 800, 866, 877 and 888 numbers. Long distance dialling, 1-900 numbers, incoming collect calls and third party billing is blocked on the line. To make a long distance call you will be required to call a toll free 1-800 number (which will be supplied) and pay for the call using a "Calling Card" from your own telephone company. Another option is for the guest to use a prepaid long distance card which will again, be accessed through a toll free 1-800 number. Other charges levied by the phone company for its pay-per-use features such as directory assistance is a cost that will be charged to the guest and deducted from the deposit. o As an alternative, you will be able to use your own cellular phone. What are the cancellation terms and what costs are involved? Costs to cancel a reservation vary and can be viewed on Heron Shoal's rates page. Boating Is there boat access directly on the property? Apart from launching a small craft like a canoe or kayak, no. For a local fee boaters can launch their own craft at the Malagash wharf (3 minutes) or in Wallace (10 minutes). Is there access to a dock for larger boats? Yes, at the aforementioned facilities. What types of boats are available to use: canoe, kayak, motorboat? None, however guests are welcome to bring their own. Are there any watercraft restrictions; jet skis, motorboats, etc? The only watercraft not permitted would be jet skis. Swimming Is there a beach on the property, is it safe for swimming, diving? The shore directly in front of the cottage is a rocky shoreline that is easily accessible and a pleasure to walk. There is a mile long sand beach a short one minute drive from the cottage. What type of beach is available: sand, pebble, grass, rock? The Malagash beach is 1km away. It is a mile long sand beach. Is the water shallow or deep? The water at the beach is shallow and an easy swim. It is "the warmest salt water north of the Carolinas". Is the beach safe for novice swimmers and children? Yes. Of course for safety ar Heron Shoal we always recommend that you never swim alone. Is swimming equipment supplied: life jackets, floating mattresses, etc.? No, these are the responsibility of the cottager. Enjoying Nature What can you do in the area, sightseeing, hiking trails, national parks? There are a number of activities within a short drive. Please see Our Area page for information and links to things to do and see. Contact us and we will gladly answer any questions you may have. Is there a tourist information centre nearby? There is a seasonal information centre in Tatamagouche and a year-round Provincial centre in Amherst, about an hour away. We will also stock the cottage with all sorts of local and regional information which you can review on your arrival. How likely are you to see wildlife in the area? There is lots of interesting wildlife. We regularly see deer in the front yard and in the woods directly behind the cottage. There are numerous sea birds including gulls, loons and even eagles. You will also find many other birds such as pheasant, woodpeckers, and owls. And of course, herons! Describe the view; can you see the sunrise or sunset from the deck? The view is a full 180' of the Northumberland Strait. On the horizon you will see Prince Edward Island. Both the sunrise and sunset can be enjoyed from the comfort of the front deck and, on clear nights the stars will dazzle you. Is outdoor furniture supplied for the deck? Yes. There are 4 large Adirondack chairs plus other lighter ones, a picnic table and a gas Bar-B-Que are there for your use. What about the cottage amenities? Is the kitchen equipped with appliances, pots and pans, plates and cutlery? Yes, the kitchen in each cottage comes fully equipped with all of the conveniences needed to provide for a family. What about cooking supplies: salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard? We stock the kitchen with salt and pepper plus coffee filters for your convenience but other food and cooking supplies are the responsibility of the guest. Should we bring bottled water? It is not necessary. The water is from a private well on the property and is regularly tested. Health certificates are issued for safety and quality. How many bedrooms and beds are available: double, twin, bunk, etc? * Heron Shoal – 3 Bedrooms o Master bedroom – Queen o 2nd bedroom – Queen o 3rd bedroom – 2 Twins What about linen and towel supplies? For weekly rentals from April through October, all bed linens, kitchen towels and bath towels are supplied. BEACH towels and blankets are not supplied and are the responsibility of the guest. Guests are not allowed to take the cottage's bath towels or blankets to the beach. Is there a bathroom or outhouse? Heron Shoal has one four-piece bathroom. Is heat, electricity, telephone, TV, VCR available? * The cottage is fully heated with electric heat a fireplace in the great room * There is a telephone in each cottage (long distance and pay-per-use charges not included, see above) * Each cottage has satellite TV service, a VCR and a stereo Radio/Cassette/CD player Is there a BBQ: propane or charcoal? Is firewood supplied for the fireplace or wood stove? Yes, from April to October. During the winter months from November to March, wood is the responsibility of the guest. Is a washer and dryer, clothesline or Laundromat nearby? There is a washing machine and dryer in each cottage and a convenient clothes line off the back deck. There is also a Laundromat in Tatamagouche. Are board games provided for rainy days? There is a limited supply, but it is wise for the cottager to provide their own personal entertainment. Can I bring my computer to retrieve my e-mail? If you just can't tear yourself away from the office, internet access is available. There is no extra cost for this service as long as you can dial either a local or a toll free access number. We can provide a local access number for Sympatico customers. For non-Sympatico customers, it may be possible for you to access your Internet Service Provider through a toll free number. Check with your ISP before leaving for Heron Shoal Cottage. Weather Conditions Is the water warm enough to swim? Yes, the water is "the warmest salt water north of the Carolinas". When are the waters rough? Rough water can be experienced in stormy conditions. However, that type of weather pattern is usually limited to the late fall or early spring seasons. When are mosquitoes and black flies most abundant? Mosquitoes are a part of shore life from June through September. Black flies are usually gone by the end of June. Is it cheaper to rent at other times of the year? Rates vary depending on the time of year. Please go to the links for our rates and details pages. What clothing should you pack? You will be comfortable in jeans or shorts and light tops. A sweater will be appropriate for the evenings in the spring and fall but rarely during the summer. Do weather conditions drastically change from morning to night? Being an ocean setting weather can change but it is normally very comfortable during the season. Access Can parents sit on the porch and watch their children on the shore? Sitting on the deck gives a full view of the grassed area between the cottage and the shore. To maintain a close watch of kids on the shore it is recommended that parents be on the shore as well. Are there steps that elderly people might find troublesome? There are no more than 3 steps at the cottage. The drop down to the shore is a reasonably gentle 2 to3 feet however, the rocky walking conditions on the shore could prove difficult for the elderly. Are pets allowed on the properties? Yes however, pets are subject to approval by Heron Shoal prior to acceptance of the reservation. Is smoking permitted on site? Smoking is permitted OUTSIDE of the cottage. We would ask that you collect cigarette butts and dispose of them yourself and NOT simply throw them on the ground. A fee for clean-up will be charged if necessary. There is no smoking allowed in the wooded areas of the property. What are the check-in and checkout times? Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 10 a.m. Where and when can you pick up the keys to the cottage? Your hosts are your neighbours. We will be on hand to greet you at arrival, to pass along the keys and any other information necessary. Safety Are life jackets available: how many and what size? Life jackets are the responsibility of the cottager. Is there a fire extinguisher? Yes and smoke alarms as well. Is there a bonfire pit to make safe campfires? What about campfires? No. Outdoor fires are not allowed in Nova Scotia without a permit so as a result Heron Shoal Cottage does not allow campfires. How far is the nearest hospital or clinic? In Tatamagouche, about 20 minutes. Do the owners supply a contact list in case of repairs or damages? Emergency contact numbers are posted beside the telephone. Your hosts are your neighbours and are available when needed. In case of fire, security or medical emergency, who should you call? The first call is always to 911 emergency services. The second call should be to your hosts. Numbers are provided. Is there a Veterinarian close by? Yes, Northumberland Veterinary Services are located in Pugwash, a half hour away. Your hosts use their services and find them very good. Digital Photography Is there anywhere I can either save or print my my digital camera photos? We will gladly transfer your digital photos to a CD for you to take home if you run out of storage room on your camera. There is no charge for this service. We'll even supply the CD. Reference Information How often do "renters" use the property? The facilities are only used as rental properties. Does the cottage belong to any associations (lake, cottagers, travel, etc.)? The cottage is privately owned and approved by the Tourism Department of the Province of Nova Scotia. It is also a Canada Select 3 1/2 Star Star Property. Do the owners inspect for cleanliness and safety etc.? Yes. A full cleanup is done between guest rentals, personally by the owners. Will I be required to provide rental references? |
