Prince Edward Island - Part 4

 Monday 23 June - the constant OOH, AAAH, OOH day!

With various jobs to do, it was 11 am before I headed north from Cornwall Prince Edward Island, to French River.  Still adjusting to driving on the RHS of the road, I chose the lesser roads for my journey. What a blessing this proved to be. Empty roads lined by lupins in their peak glory. Cows grazed in lush green fields, amongst the patchwork of varying tones of reds, browns and greens of early summer farming. It wasn't a clear sky day but there was a crispness in the air that highlighted all the beauty I was slowly driving through. With only myself in the car, the oohs and aahs were constant and often quite loud. 

I love Aussie scenery, but it is harsh in comparison to the island vistas.

Cresting one of the island's gentle hills, I was greeted by New London's tiny harbour. 

Several kilometres on, I pulled into the view point that overlooks French River. The vista was as beautiful as I remembered from my 2022 visit, however I ignored the view for quite some time as I oohed and aahed over the spectacular mass of lupin colour, behind the pullover.

Turning back, the 180 degree view of French River and its rich agricutural surrounds continued to fill me with joy. The French River harbour is where I first met my wonderful, island blogging friend Marie Smith. Marie's blog, "Island Musings",  has the harbour as her header. Her wonderful blog gives me a deeper connection to the island and now we have a very special friendship.

One of the reasons for today's destination was to watch the lobster boats returning from the morning's fishing, at the entrance to New London Bay. A wrong turn was a bonus, as I oohed and aahed, watching the midday steam rise from a ploughed field, waiting to be planted with potatoes. 

And then that sky ....................

U-turn done, it was a short distance to the bay, on a bumpy road bordered by more lupins. My timing for the lobster boats was perfect, except they weren't returning with their catch. The lobster season had closed a few days prior and the boats were laden with the traps to be stored until setting day in mid August. This did not lessen my oohs and aahs. Sooo many images were taken of the boats returning, that they will feature in my next post.

First view of the harbour entrance and first boat.

I walked the foreshore north. Guess what I was saying?

Reaching the actual entrance to the bay I rounded the cliff carefully, to be greeted by this view of a sea stack in the far distance.

My Sony point and shoot's 30x zoom did me proud.

Retracing my steps the cloud patterns were magnificent!

New London Lighthouse and birds in the reeds surrounding it.

In 2022, Marie and Rick guided us from this wonderful area to Branders Pond. On that day the lupin lining the road to the beach were glorious.  They were passed their peak today, but still worth a visit.

Marie has always spoken of Thunder Cove and the loss of its sea stack 'The Teacup". The name Thunder Cove has a special ring about it, so it became my next destination. It took a while as my google maps just couldn't find the right turning on Darnley Road. I did discover however the enormous camping park of Twin Shores. Now, that was an ooh and aah of a different strain. RV's are only just coming on the scene in OZ. This was a jaw dropping scene for me. It was difficult to capture the size and number of RV's and the park just went on and on. Golf carts were available for hire!

Thunder Cove found.

I acknowledge that this image was taken by @LynnMcKPhotography - The Teapot before Hurricane Fiona caused it to collapse in 20222.

My view.

Thunder Cove

The beach to walk to Thunder Cove.

My feeling for Thunder Cove

The erosion of Thunder Cove.

Walking back to the car.

During my stay on the island, I was constantly admiring the potato fields. The precision of the rows and the green against the red soil. There was time to stop on my journey home to take this image.

On my arrival on the island, garden lawns were filled with the yellow of dandilions and buttercups. As I drove into my sons driveway, I realised that the lawn was now filled with clover. I so enjoy following the cycle of the season, when I visit.

To cap the day off, I was thrilled to be able to watch Ben at his soccer training.

Such a special, special day!

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