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Tuesday 4 August 2020

French River summer during the pandemic

The lookout over French River is where I take seasonal photos for the header of my blog. This place shows the connection between the land and sea on Prince Edward Island and it keeps drawing me back. However, the province wide shut-down of all but essential businesses due to Covid 19 has had a huge impact on this island. The pandemic has impacted this scene, more obviously in some ways than others.





Our most recent visit to the area occurred after the end of the spring lobster fishery when fishers had returned their traps to the wharf and fishing shacks. While the fishery began after a late start, decreased demand affected prices this year. Restaurants were closed for months and eventually opened with reduced capacity. Prices were down and demand decreased. 


Along the channel from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the mussel beds hold their briny treasures, 





waiting for the boats to harvest them. However demand for this product is down this year too.


Meanwhile, in the fields, potatoes are in blossom already. 





However, there aren’t as many fields planted with potatoes this year. Covid has kept the demand for potatoes and many other food products down.





The golf course across the channel is open but not as busy as other years due to tourism restricted to Atlantic Canadians. 


Around the wharf, the heartbeat of the community, the gently rolling hills are lush and green. Everything looks serene.





While life continues through the pandemic, the economic lives of families who rely on the land and sea around French River and indeed all of Prince Edward Island has been hugely impacted. This peaceful scene doesn’t tell the whole story.






 


28 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Hopefully, almost everyone will survive and things will boom next year.

DJan said...

That last statement is true for our county, too. It looks about the same, but everything is different. And I would say that 90% of people I see are masked as well. Your new header picture is beautiful!

Linda said...

So much has not changed here that it explains why the numbers are going through the roof.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I'm doing my best to support potato farmers by eating as many bags of chips as I can.

Catarina said...

It will take some time for some to be on their feet again.
I went to a farmers’ market last Sunday for the first time this year. Less stalls, less people…

Ruth Hiebert said...

I am pretty sure that what you describe for your area, holds true across the country. Things are different, yet nature continues to show us beauty.

baili said...

thank you so much for sharing the beauty and tranquility of this enchanting area dear Marie

i completely share your sadness about this horrifying situation ,it hurts when places like theses look barren and silent indeed

praying for world to be come a normal place amen!

Bill said...

Covid is wreaking havoc everywhere, hopefully communities like these can rebound with everyone working together and giving their support.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Sometimes these 'hidden' impacts of Covid seem to be causing as much or more suffering than the actual virus, and there doesn't look like there will be any easy solution to either. Very sad.

Elephant's Child said...

The hidden impacts are being felt here too. My heart aches for those affected. Support is being offered here for people whose wages are affected, but I am uncertain how the self employed fare. Thank you for this sad reminder.

Rose said...

I fear we are all going to be more impacted than we might like to think. It is hard not to worry for all of us. But I know some are already taking a hard hit.

Helen said...

I hadn't realised that rural PEI was suffering as much as Tourism PEI. I agree with 'At Home in New Zealand's comment.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I love the header of your blog. It is a beautiful peaceful photo with calming colors and a beautiful scene

Joanne Noragon said...

I can imagine, Marie. We will emerge to a whole new world.

Red said...

I think the whole story is waiting to be told. we don't know what will happen. That adds to all the uncertainty of our lives.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It all goes to show what we can live without, I suppose.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I have always loved your header photo. The scene with the colorful shacks is so pretty. Potatoes and Lobsters are my hubby's favorites. This pandemic has hit our economy hard, As I am sure it is bad all around the world. I feel for the small businesses and restaurant owners, some are having to close. Take care, have a great day!

John's Island said...

Hi Marie, Before I forget, thank you for answering my question re ancestry. Now, as always, your photos in this post are excellent. As I was looking at them I was thinking about how peaceful PEI is. But I appreciate your commentary. The pandemic is hurting all over the world. Please stay safe and healthy and thank you for sharing your blog. John

Liz Hinds said...

It is such a beautiful place. I hope it will survive the downturn.

Susan Zarzycki said...

Your story is our story. We have noticed and heard the sad stories of how Corvid has diminished the lives of many in our towns depending on customers to make a living. Our little town closest to us has many closed shops still and many for sale signs. So sad.💖

Rhodesia said...

I am wondering if next year is going to be any better. Most of my potatoes are in, excellent crop this year, one potato 765 grams but I might beat that yet. Keep safe and enjoy the rest of the week. Diane

jenny_o said...

It's going to be a long, hard haul for many sectors of the economy. We are all more interrelated than many folks realize.

Toni said...

Gorgeous photos. Would love to visit way, way, way after Covid is just a bad memory.

We live in a red county in California. Most of the people here still believe that Covid is a Democrat Hoax, so are exercising their "freedom" by not wearing masks.

We wear masks and gloves anytime we're in public (which is almost never).

Love your Blog!

Danielle L Zecher said...

Such beautiful pictures. I love how lush and green everything looks.

This pandemic has caused so much devastation. I keep telling myself this time next year will be better.

Mage said...

I so hope that everyone survives and is well on your truly beautiful island.

William Kendall said...

Hopefully this time next year things will have changed for the better.

Beside a babbling brook... said...

This is so sad. And there are many, many more situations, like this.

This miserable Wuhan Virus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Beside a babbling brook" blog
'Miss BB'🐝🐝

Mage said...

Next year will be an improvement.