Following is a list of recommended items to bring with you on your stay at the Beach Cottage on Pelee Island:
1) Bug spray/repellant - there are lots of bug on Pelee Island and I always bring a good spray when I go over
2) Sunscreen/sunblock - the sun is HOT over here in the summer and on the lake facing deck the sun reflecting off the water combined with the sun from the sky can cause a burn QUICKLY especially on the little ones so bring extra
3) Water - there is a blue jug dispenser at the cottage so if you want to bring a blue jug go right ahead. There is usually one there and they do swaps for new ones at the Co-op located on the north shore by Scudder Marina. All water on Pelee is not for consumption except for at the dining establishments. The cottage has a UV/filter system so the water is safe for washing and bathing but I still do not recommend drinking just to be safe so you can bring either a blue jug or bottled water.
4) Towels/bedding - the cottage is not stocked with towels or bedding except for comforters. You should bring sheets, towels and pillow cases or your own pillows.
5) Garbage bags - you should probably bring the large black bags for the kitchen and some small white regular size kitchen bags for the bathroom/bedrooms. DO NOT leave your garbage at the cottage, take your garbage bags with you when you leave or take them to the dump/transfer station on the island before you leave. The hours for the transfer station are:
Monday 8 - 12
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 8 - 12
Thursday CLOSED
Friday 8 - 12
Saturday 1 - 5
Sunday and holiday Mondays 2 - 6
1) Once you unlock the front door and let yourself inside, the first thing you should do is get the water switched on. The switch is located above the counter top in the corner, you can't miss it and it is labelled. When you switch it on you may hear the pump start up or 3 short beeps. That is just the sound of the UV/filter system activating. The pump is located under the kitchen sink and if you ever have any problems or in the case of a water emergency you can switch the pump off and close the main valve on top of the pump, it has a large red handle on that main valve. When you are checking out be sure to shut the pump switch off before leaving as well as any other appliances, lights or fans that you may have used during your stay.
2) There are a lot of bugs on Pelee Island, more than any other place I have seen. So at night if you leave a lot of lights on expect to see a lot of bugs hanging around. I usually use the air conditioning just so I don't have to open the windows as if you do the bugs that we call "no see ems" will come in, they are small and pass right through the window screens.
3) If you happen to travel to the cottage and its gets a little chilly during your stay, there are heaters in every room. But you will need to turn those breakers on to the heaters that you want to use. The breaker panel is located in the sunroom that faces the beach right above and beside the hot water heater. If you decide to use the heaters please be sure to shut the breakers back off when you leave along with any other appliances, lights or fans that you may have used.
4) If you happen to be on the beach or playing in the sand during your stay there is a foot washing station located on the upper deck overlooking the lake. Please use it to rinse off the sand before running inside as sand will seem to make its way in no matter what but at least it should help a bit.
5) The barbeque... I am not on Pelee so I cannot be responsible for the propane or how much someone leaves behind. Like it says on the main page, the is a self catered cottage. You are responsible for replacing the fuel that you use. I have 3 tanks, there should ALWAYS BE 1 FULL TANK ON HAND, one hooked up to the bbq and the other at the co-op waiting to be filled which is ONLY done on Wednesdays. If you run out of propane during your stay, get the empty to the co-op as soon as possible and get the full one back. These are the rules and if the tanks are empty when the next renter arrives I will deduct the cost to have one refilled from your deposit. The place to drop off the empty is right across the street from the co-op. You just drop it off and then go inside to ask for the replacement. My tanks are all marked with my name and/or Beach Cottage.
