After a fairly stressful fortnight, sorting out some priorities around the house, it was time for a brief holiday with Nigel. We decided to take a long weekend, and visit a new province for him (Prince Edward Island) because it is near to Nova Scotia and therefore easily accessible. It is a very different landscape from this province where we live.
What we knew before we left: Prince Edward Island, the province reknown for
its red soil, 
sandy beaches, 
potatoes, 
chambers where Confederation was discussed 
and Anne of Green Gables. 
We were total tourists. We meandered, and were well entertained by the many wonderful sights and sounds around the island.
The ferry from Caribou, NS to Wood Island, PEI was the start of the holiday, and boded well for what was to follow, with a calm, blue Northumberland Strait,
coupled with an introduction to the delectable "Cow's" ice cream, which we enjoyed while seated outside, at the breezy bow of the ferry. 
We arrived on Prince Edward Island, and there was colour everywhere. The yellow fields of rape and canola grains complimented the blue sea and sky beyond. 
The speckled greys and browns of lobster traps stacked on the wharf, are neatly set, ready for the season, which begins in August .
Fishing boats are often painted white, but the trim is always a bright crayon-inspired colour. So, too, are the huts that line the wharfs in many of the harbours. 
The sea can run strongly here:
Fishing boats are often painted white, but the trim is always a bright crayon-inspired colour. So, too, are the huts that line the wharfs in many of the harbours. 
The sea can run strongly here:
This beige boardwalk, lead us down to a red sand beach, with its trim of dark green marram grass holding back the natural erosion from wind and waves.
Some beaches had startling white life-guard stools, orange life-rings, and colourful buoys to indicate the supervised swimming areas. 
Some beaches had startling white life-guard stools, orange life-rings, and colourful buoys to indicate the supervised swimming areas. 
The white bubbles of the waves contrasted pleasantly with the red sand. 
Nigel stepped on a darker hued jellyfish, barely visible in the sand. 
Then we realised that there were many of them, disguised, on the beach, stranded by the receding tide. 
Then we realised that there were many of them, disguised, on the beach, stranded by the receding tide. 
The beaches sparkled with the play of light on the tiny sand sculptures that were footprints left behind by beach visitors.
Some beaches were more rustic, 
untended by life-guards, and often accessed by persons unaware of the potential ecological damage caused by climbing over the top of the dunes. 
untended by life-guards, and often accessed by persons unaware of the potential ecological damage caused by climbing over the top of the dunes. 
Unfortunately there are at least 150 irresponsible pathways to the beaches, and all the ones that we saw were adjacent to a wide easily accessible route like this one. 
Photo opportunities, soft sand, almost warm salty water, and magnificent views ... that's why it is understandable that persons are anxious to get to the beaches.
A whimsical, carved sand sculpture, 
was off-set by the bright red trim on the whitewashed lighthouse, office and shop behind.
The aging effects of the wind and salty air are very evident on this lighthouse at East Point.
was off-set by the bright red trim on the whitewashed lighthouse, office and shop behind.
The aging effects of the wind and salty air are very evident on this lighthouse at East Point.
The lighthouse at the other end of the island, North Cape, seemed less weathered. 
That red sandy soil was very much in evidence at that point as well, especially on the surprising and lethal red rock reef just off-shore. 
That red sandy soil was very much in evidence at that point as well, especially on the surprising and lethal red rock reef just off-shore. 
Our main objective was to look at the wind power research station 
at North Cape 
because Nigel 
is very interested in wind power.
at North Cape 
because Nigel 
is very interested in wind power.
There are many churches on PEI. This is the contemplative, prayerful interior of one of those churches.
The Main Alter 
and the Lady Alter 
were beautifully appointed.
were beautifully appointed. We visited the compulsory tourist site: The house
that inspired the setting for the L.M.Montgomery stories, 
Anne of Green Gables The spin-off industry is huge, including these potato chips:
They were tasty, despite the silly package and astronomically expensive price.Sometimes we just have to be silly tourists, and get a glitzy item.
We also went to the Provincial Legislature, 
where the Fathers of Confederation met in 1864, 
beginning the discussions that led to Canada's Confederation three years later.
where the Fathers of Confederation met in 1864, 
beginning the discussions that led to Canada's Confederation three years later. Historically, people went to Prince Edward Island on one of two ferries. Some years ago, a bridge was built between Cape Jourimain, NB and Borden PEI. The Confederation Bridge is an engineering marvel. It spans 12.9 km of the Northumberland Strait, on 62 concrete pylons. It takes about 12-15 minutes to drive across the bridge.
The two of us enjoyed our island holiday. We were blessed with warm, balmy weather...perfect for a short holiday. 
That's what we found on Prince Edward Island.
