The Lakefront
Places to Gather
The cottage inspires lots of things, and vacations inspire other things. Both tend to inspire conversation and gathering. We value fellowship and conversation deeply and some of the other people on Avon Bay have become our dearest friends. We have a number of places where you can sit down with many or few and be big and boisterous or intimate and subdued.
Gathering 2
We have purposely created a lot of different areas for people to sit together with some more appropriate for large groups and some just for a couple. Different times of day and different weather often dictate which of these areas get used.
Our bay is unusually close so we often visit our neighbors or entertain them at our place. Once a year at least, we try to have a big pot-luck to cement the bonds we've made, and we take turns hosting. Our deck is the biggest of the gathering spaces and that's where we set up tables and had a dinner with over 40 people one night. The deck is one of the places for early morning gathering over coffee with all of us, and also where we sit after dinner to enjoy a digestif and conversation. The deck has a lot of seating, including 6 Muskoka chairs. It also has a picnic table with an umbrella which we use a lot, and, if you just want to bake, there are 4 lounge chairs.
As the day wanes, people often like to watch the sun go down from the hot tub. Located at the other end of the deck, this area also invites gathering as it is surrounded by bench-style seating for those who don't want to get wet.
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Gathering Part 3
On rainy days, we often find ourselves at the very northern end of the cottage where there is seating under a roof. Its also wonderful if you've had too much sun and still want to be outside.
The bunkie also has a roof that lets you sit outside when its too hot or rainy. We like to gather there during storms and drink wine and play games.
The fire pit is an evening favourite and many a night has been spent there writing songs that probably should never be heard again. We try to keep enough wood for fires available but if you needed more, you can always rummage through the forest and scavange an evening's fuel.
Our dock is the centre of activity during most days, but my favourite time is in the evening with some wine and cheese while we watch the sun set.
On cold days, or during the Witching Hour (when the bugs come out) we generally stay inside and congregate in the living room around a movie or in the Muskoka room around the big cedar table.
