Remember when bed and breakfast was only that? A spare room with a bath down the hall and some bacon and eggs to send you on your way? I’m here on a warm Bobcaygeon night on the screened in porch off my huge comfy room watching the sky over the canal turn twilight blue, then fade to the deep dark of a northern Ontario night. There’s no moon, just a soft warm breeze. I could fall asleep in the arms of this overstuffed chair, breathing air most city folk never know. The falling night is a much better show than what the big flatscreen tv could have offered. On the other hand, there is that deep fluffy bed; I wish Annie was here with me but maybe next Fall after we’ve closed our little cabin on Rebel’s Isle we’ll treat ourselves to an overnight at Stonehenge Waterfront Bed and Breakfast.

Stonehenge redefines the B&B experience and kicks it gently up to another level on par with four-star hotels. Recalling the uber-luxury hotels I’ve stayed in, I’d much rather be here where Lee and John Tollett make me feel more like a long lost relative than just a guest. When I arrived I sat at the marble coffee bar of Lee’s fabulous kitchen and we chatted; her sister was there and we had a pleasant visit, as if I’d just dropped by. I’m not that easy at first with people I don’t know but Lee and John have the knack of making you feel welcome and wholly at ease.

Retired from a successful mechanical contracting business,they clearly aren’t doing this for the money, but because they like people and they like being busy.

Before breakfast the next morning I wandered about the grounds. The house is a limestone Arts and Crafts style set along the canal in the midst of five acres of cedar woods. The gardens are rock gardens of course; there’s no other kind in Bobcaygeon, a rocky island at the edge of the Canadian Shield.

Lee and John Tollett in their fabulous kitchen.

Sitting on a fancy bench by the bank of the canal quietly listening to the waking birds a family of mallard ducklings and their nervous mother paddled by. A mink skittered over the rocks, and a bass boat slipped by in the fast current, two young lads high-fiveing over something. The smoky aroma of grilling steak reminded me of breakfast.

Breakfast carried me all the way through lunch. Lee loves to cook and she is good! This morning was grilled steak sliced thin with a perfect crust around it – actually, to be fair, John manned the grill. Several tender slices arranged over sautéed new potatoes, still in their jackets, and a richly spiced mushroom omelette, made with buttery yellow country eggs. Thin slices of buttered rye toast, chocolate-dipped strawberries (local, seasonal) and a fruit smoothie. And a bottomless cup of coffee.

I hated to leave but there was work to be done. I’ll leave you with this thought: Bed and Breakfast doesn’t get better than this.

Stonehenge Waterfront Bed and Breakfast
46 Boyd Street
P.O. Box 846
Bobcaygeon, Ontario
K0M1A0

Telephone: (705) 738-9308
Email: stonehengebedandbreakfast@i-zoom.net