House Rules (must meet these to book): Sleeps 9 (max 6 adults), Fri-Fri only during the summer (last week of June - start of Sept), Lead guest must be 30+ years, One well-behaved small/medium dog permitted (sorry, no cats), no parties allowed. A supplemental information form must be completed. There is always a certain release of tension when you reach cottage country - that "aaaaahhhhh" feeling. Leaving the 401 corridor just north of Kingston is a great illustration of this. The city recedes quickly into the rear view mirror and urban views replaced by serene farmland, natural forests and lakes, and quaint small towns. You pass through Harrowsmith, Hartington and Verona - all as delightful as they sound. A left at Picadilly and you are on your way to Cole Lake, where you will find Cole Lake Retreat. With a length of about 2 kilometres, Cole is home to a few cottages and easy to explore by canoe. A couple of islands dot the lake and marsh areas nears its borders support a wonderful biosystem supporting birders and fishermen. On its western shore, with a fabulous view of said islands, the cottage will delight all who stay here. The refurbished interior exudes country charm. The main level features an eat-in kitchen, living room/office area, mud room and 4-piece washroom. Sleep quarters are upstairs, along with a 3-piece bathroom. A variety of bed configurations should suit arrangements no matter what your group looks like. Outside, a generous yard enjoys panoramic views of the lake and islands. A gazebo area provides cover from sunshine, be it the standard or liquid varieties. A formal fire pit area provides the perfect spot for evening relaxation, marshmallow toasting, storytelling and contemplation of the peace and quiet of the area. The dock is your gateway to the lake of course, for swimming, boating, fishing, whatever you like. We've already mentioned some of the area's charm. The town of Verona lies less than 15 minutes away and has all you need for the basics, along with a couple of cafes and restaurants. If there are golfers in the group they will notice that Rivendell is even closer, tempting you with a very reasonably priced 18 holes and maybe your dinner as well. Take the opportunity to head to the town of Westport during your stay. One of the nicest villages in the province, it is just 30 minutes to the east, and lovers of boutique shopping will be in heaven here. Cole Lake Retreat is one of those cottages that we think will have repeat guests each year - you may want to stake your claim early! Inside the Cottage Sleeps 9 (max 6 adults) 3 bedrooms (1 queen, 1 with 2 queens, 1 with twin & single bunks) 2 bathrooms (4-piece with tub & shower over; 3-piece with shower stall) Well-equipped kitchen with dishwasher Large screen HDTV with terrestrial receprtion & Prime only; standard DVD player Selection of popular board games Unlimited Wi-Fi Electric fireplace Washer, Dryer Central air conditioning Outside the Cottage Deck with table, 4 chairs and umbrella and assorted lounging chairs Firepit Charcoal BBQ Dock Kayak, paddleboat, stand-up paddleboard, assorted lifejackets/PFDs Things you need to know: One well-behaved small/medium dog permitted (sorry, no cats) Linens and indoor towels are provided for all rentals; please bring your own outdoor towels A post-rental cleaning service is included; however, the property is to be left in a tidy condition Water is drinkable There is no public boat launch on the lake Waterfront is a southerly exposure Garbage and recycling removal prior to departure is required Waterfront There is shallow, sandy entry from the shoreline. A small sandy area may appear in late summer when the water levels are lower. The lake is healthy and clean, so there are some weeds. The lake bottom is a combination of sand and pebbles in the shallow areas, getting more uneven and rocky as you go farther out. There is a ladder off the dock for easy access in and out of the water which ranges from about 6’ to 10’ deep off the edge of the dock. Trivia The nearby village of Godfrey was founded as "Deniston" on 10 October 1854, based on the placement of a post office by the same name. Locals referred to the place as "Iron Ore Junction", due to the large ore deposits and other mineral deposits in the area. The presence of iron ore was known since 1869 when it was reported in the provincial gazetteer that "Iron and plumbago are in the neighbourhood." The place was renamed Godfrey on 1 April 1878 in honor of Chester H. Godfrey, the man who had donated the land on which the village is built ] and due to his position as Justice of the Peace of Deniston. References to a place name of "Bedford Station" can also be found, as the rail station on the Kingston and Pembroke line in Godfrey, was known as "Bedford Station" - (Source - Wikipedia) At a Glance Sleeps 9 (max 6 adults) Kayak, paddleboat, stand-up paddleboard, assorted life jackets 1 small/medium dog permitted TV/DVD player, unlimited Wi-Fi Dishwasher, washer/dryer Central AC A supplemental information form (under 5 min to complete) which includes information on the guests and agreeing to our rental agency's terms and conditions is required to be completed to finalize the booking. Pets - allowed