30th June - 16th of July
This post relates the activities of our last two weeks with our family on Prince Edward Island.
Ben's school year was completed on Wednesday 28 June. Thursday was spent exploring downtown Charlottetown together and cooking muffins to be decorated for Canada Day. Stuart didn't have to work Friday so Stuart, Frank, myself, Nora and Ben took ourselves to the family-friendly attractions of Cavendish Beach. A game of mini golf, a visit to Ripley's Believe it or Not, and the eagerly anticipated visit to the ice cream parlour. A paddle on one of the beaches, along the Cavendish coastline, with an imposing sea stack in the background, completed our day.
July 1, Canada Day, saw us all driving to Kim's hometown of Souris in the NE of the island. Yet again we were made aware of Hurricane Fiona's wrath as we drove and on arrival. Kim's Dad had spent many, many evenings, chainsawing the fallen trees.
I loved this blue cloudy sky hovering over the back garden. Alas, trees can be observed leaning and twisted.
Souris - from the beach.
Chilly for the Aussies, but the Grandies had a wonderful time frolicking in the sea.
Granny spent her time observing the colourful seaweed.
Later, a drive further east to East Point Lighthouse, newly freshened for the summer season.
The family were staying overnight, but Frank and I took a scenic route back to Cornwall after a delicious BBQ and the Canada Day muffins, decorated by Ben and Nora.
Naufruge Harbour at 7.30 pm. I love these long sunny evenings.
9 pm - arriving back in Cornwall, I spotted a near full moon, overhead.
10pm - a brilliant Canada Day fireworks display over Hydes Pond, Cornwall.
This photo was taken by a professional at the Charlottetown display. Sensational image.
Over the following couple of days, the rain allowed us to recharge our batteries. Ben went off to Summer Camp on Monday. Mid-week Frank and I decided it was time to make our annual pilgrimage to Georgetown, to our favourite island cafe The Maroon Pig. We weren't disappointed. Their iced cinnamon buns are still the best ever. Georgetown has a pretty harbour and it was lovely to sit and watch the comings and goings on the water and to take a walk along the Confederation Trail.
Driving home via Cardigan we discovered Canada's smallest Library! A true gem!
Rain filled Friday morning, but by midday, the sky cleared and we set off to find a nice shady spot with a view, to read.
Tracadie Bay didn't fill the bill, but it was interesting to see the lobster pots being put away until the October season.
Unusual to see development like this on the island. A bit of a shock to the system.
Tracadie Bay, but closer to its mouth and very much a still-water haven for young families and canoeists.
We continued on to Stanhope Beach. Back in Cornwall and Charlottetown, the temperature was 29 C, feeling like 35 with the humidity. The official beach announcement board here said it was only 22 C! We had a blissful few hours sitting above the beach, in the full sun on the low cliff, reading and watching, to us, the brave surfers in the 12 C North Atlantic Ocean. Brrrr!
It was fascinating to watch mist hovering over the beach, mid-afternoon.
The circling seagulls had me constantly trying for that perfect flight image!
Time to make tracks home and along the way, I spotted this unusually white beach.
Summer holidays, and parking woes at popular Cavendish, have begun!
It was back to Rice Point with Kim, Ben and Norah for a lovely morning, on Saturday.
Sunday morning the family were busy so Frank and I relaxed at lovely May Point until we ventured downtown for the 2 pm aerial display of the Canadian Snowbirds.
We became concerned when a fog bank, came rushing down the harbour at midday.
Spectacular!
On the following day and week, we looked after Ben again. We cooked scones together and then took him on an adventure downtown to find the 9 tiny Eckhardt, brass sculptures. Eckhardt the Mouse is the main character from the book 'True Meaning of Crumfest', the story of a curious little mouse, written by PEI author, David Weale. The scones were eaten at a picnic in Victoria Park, and afterwards, Ben had a wonderful time jumping into the park pool, whose water temperature was surprisingly warm.
Tuesday we excitedly visited the Butterfly House at New Glasgow. I was excited as Ben and Nora.
A picnic lunch in the gardens of the butterfly house was enjoyed, before a blustery run on the beach at North Rustico.
The following days we kept Ben, and sometimes Nora, busy with Five Pin Bowling, trampolining at Off the Wallz, and another visit to Rice Point Beach and to the local swimming pool.
All too soon it is our final weekend. Saturday afternoon, Frank and I took Ben and Nora back to the local pool. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and the pool temperature was such, that I managed to stay in the water for nearly 2 1/2 hours. Unheard of for this cold frog.
Earlier in the week Nora would only sit on the step, and Ben, whilst jumping in constantly, hated getting his eyes wet or going under. On this second visit with constant encouragement, we had them both jumping in at will and loving going under. Nora was so excited I couldn't look away for a minute. A very special afternoon and both Mum and Dad were amazed at their progress.
There are two more events to write about, but I've decided to leave them to one more post.
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