CANEAST 20,21

Aug 20, Anne of Green Gables.  The musical.

Elizabeth was brave and went swimming in the Atlantic this a.m.  Actually, the temperature was not bad but I’m a cold-water swim wimp so just dabbled my toes.

We went off to Charlottetown in the evening and to the theatre.  A super well done musical of Anne of Green Gables.  What can I say?

Aug 21, The Fiddling Fisherman, Souris.

We left camp early in the day to wander along the North East coast drive and see more of the island on our way to an event we have booked.  The PEI National Park is separated (physically) in three sections.  The middle area is mainly sand dunes. 

We were able to visit the campground there and have our picnic lunch.  We made our way to Souris where we will return for the ferry to the Magdalene Islands next week.

Elizabeth here:  The island is so beautiful and the parts we’ve seen so far are very rural/agricultural places (except for Charlottetown which seems like a nice small city).  There is a penchant for white houses with green roofs and trim – hmmm a Green Gables influence perhaps.  I have to say that I am a little disappointed in the Cavendish area.  The National Park is lovely but all around the area is full of amusements – waterparks, haunted houses, “Anne” related gimmicky places. Too bad.  I remember being here with my parents many years ago and there was nothing like that – in fact, there was only a small sign pointed to “Green Gables” which we drove right by.  Oh! Well, we’ll still go to see the National Heritage Site.  The Green Gables house was actually owned by L.M. Montgomery’s cousins and she visited the place from her home that is still close by.  It will be fun.

At the tourist information centre, you can become "Anne" if you dare!

It may be my imagination, but, it seems to me there is an unusual number of red heads in PEI - lots of pretty girls who could be Anne.  Maybe it's the red dirt. 

On the way to Souris, we saw an unusual display and stopped to take a picture.  See below.  

FJ Found a friend

We met Joe, a retired fisherman who now makes chairs and planters out of lobster traps.  He took us up to his workshop and showed us a rather large lobster he caught some time ago, he had it stuffed!  Joe estimated that Lester must have weighted about 17 lbs.  Of course, pictures were taken.

FJ found more friends

The Fiddling Fisherman excursion is well worth the cost.  “JJ” and his wife and daughter took us out on their 45’ lobster boat, hooked the trap line and brought up a cage full of dinner…lobsters!  We picked out our own lobster and it was cooked on board in sea water before our eyes.  The best lobster we have ever eaten, simply scrumptious. There was also potato salad, coleslaw and buns. This was absolutely the freshest best lobster ever!  

We got to steer the boat.  JJ was a great Captain

Lobsters coming aboard!

Elizabeth named her frisky lobster Levi...poor Levi..what's in store for him?

JJ discussed many facts and features of the lobster industry and his profession as a lobster fisherman.  He also showed us the easiest ways to get to the meat and introduced us mainlanders to lobster shots!  He broke off one of the claws of our lobster and squirted the juice right into our mouths – Yummy.  This is something that the islanders do all the time but hasn’t caught on in restaurants I guess – too messy.  JJ Chaisson is also an excellent fiddler and later in the evening he entertained us all.  We learned how to do the shuffle step. 

Take a look the short movie link I’ve attached. It’s a great dance and fiddling clip: 

 https://youtu.be/YBsyvydPuHc

This excursion was truly 5 stars *****

J&E