Island Treasures

We feel as though Prince Edward Island is a home away from home now. This was our third visit in as many years and with many of our bucket list items having been visited and revisited we had a really special opportunity to just go slow and enjoy some of the hidden gems of island life. 

We love taking the ferry across and each time has been so different. It was very rainy and windy on this journey, not so bad though the Levi and the kids couldn't have a bit of fun getting sprayed on deck. We took refuge down in the cafeteria and had a hot buffet breakfast for the rest of the journey, which is a bit over an hour. The forecast for the day was rainy but the rest of our weekend was looking good. Soon enough though we had some blue skies and we set out on the drive to the green gable shore where we were staying. I hadn't been feeling very well before we set off on the trip and even though I was so happy to be going I couldn't shake how I was feeling. I was looking out the window pondering that, feeling teary when Levi spotted a sign for a wool mill and suggested we head there. It really is the simple things right? Levi knows I'm all about the treasures you find in these little off the beaten track places and this was a real goody. We pulled up to farmland, a barn, roaming chooks and the hugest bunnies I had ever seen and immediately my heart lifted. These simple things make me so so happy. Yarn, a barn and some bunnies - my personal remedy for sadness. The mill is a working one, that also makes mill machinery and sends it around the world. They can mill any fibre there, from sheeps wool to dogs hair! We had a tour of the mill and because I had recently taught Finley to knit he was really interested and even asked a question about how they get rainbow coloured wool, like we had been using for his scarf, coloured (they hand paint it!). They had a beautiful little store and I bought two skeins of merino wool which is so soft and beautiful, all ready to knit our new baby something lovely. They had a hilarious sign about a wooly arctic snake, which was a joke but totally had me for a second! We spent some time walking around outside and attempting to lure the bunnies over with grass. They were a sight! The pictures do not capture just how big these guys were. So gorgeous. I left feeling much lighter and grateful for small mercies in my life.

We made our way into Charlottetown and by this time the rains had really set in. We decided to take the kids to a movie, so we watched the new Incredibles which none of us really liked! But it was a good way to get out of the rain. We spent alittle time in Charlottetown afterwards, we popped into the Anne of Green Gables store for a little bit of Anne. Primrose put on the Anne braids and even though I don't have read hair she looks so much like me in it! We bought some Anne chocolates and raspberry cordial to enjoy later then sat down to a fantastic lunch of beetroot and fetta salad, olives and sourdough bread. Afterwards we made our way to our airbnb on the shores of Tracadie Bay. We really like this area and the house we chose had a treehouse and bunk beds which the kids loved (though full transparency were deathtraps!) and being right on the waters edge meant that there was easy access for Finley and Levi to kayak every day and Primrose and I to potter and explore on the shore. The afternoon had clearer enough for the boys to head out and I loved watching them enjoy it together. 

The next day was our big adventure day. Last time we had been in PEI, Levi discovered on a solo kayak some sand dunes that lead across the bay to the ocean. We thought up a plan to get us there where Levi would tow the kids and I behind his kayak in our rubber blow up boat. We were very prepared and the journey across went off without a hitch and was great fun. The kids absolutely loved it and we got across the bay surprisingly fast. The beach over there was covered with little sea creatures and jellies which the kids had fun throwing back into the water. We pulled the boats ashore and then began the journey over the dunes. I have had big problems with my pelvis and hips in all my pregnancies and setting off on this journey wasn't going to be easy but I was so determined to do it. We took it slow and it was rough going for me but it was so beautiful and such an experience. The dunes are gorgeous and the higher we climbed we were able to see across the landscape down to the bay and across to the ocean. We climbed to the highest dune and the kids slide down the other side until we found ourselves at the ocean. Living by the lake I sometimes forget just how special it is diving into salt water. It is so refreshing and invigorating. It's one of my all time favourite things in the world. The water was cold but nothing was going to stop me getting right in. Finley and I are the big swimmers, so we headed straight in and it was just perfect. Primrose loved sitting on the shore with the waves lapping at her legs and Levi sat with her but couldn't resist a mad dash in. These really are the moments. Pure happiness, together as a family, somewhere beautiful feeling gratitude for life. The journey back was lots of fun too and by that time we were keen for some lunch so headed towards Cavendish for some fish and chips. The top of the island is gorgeous, the drive passes through the national park and and the lighthouse into the fishing village. After lunch we headed back home for a rest and then another kayak and explore on the shores at our doorstep. 

The beaches in PEI are stunning, they are on par with Australia and there are lots of different ones to explore. We had never been to Brackley Beach so we took the drive, not far from where we had lunch the day before and set up for a day in the sun. It was Canada day and a perfect way to spend it. They have a really lovely set up before the beach with amenities and then a board walk leading you to the famous red sand that is so iconic to the area. Beaches here do get windy, so we bought along a kite and Levi had it up and soaring in no time. We took it up and down the beach and spent the rest of the time digging in the sand, Levi making us some dug out sand seats. Levi always thinks up things that make me laugh and make my life better! The kids love the beach and all the fun of playing there. On our way home we stopped off at a cute little place for lunch which turned out to be owned by an Australian who had married a Canadian. We are always excited to meet another Aussie, as they are few and far between in this part of the world. They had been there on the Island for 25 years and miss home but love it. We spent a long time enjoying lunch, then ice creams and playing games on the grassy hill which led to a creek. It was a beautiful spot and an example of how every corner in PEI has some beauty to discover. 

It was a wonderful weekend in one of our favourite places swimming, kayaking and finding island treasures with the people I love. Prince Edward Island is an old friend now, I'm so glad we got to know her.