Winter visit

Every winter we like to visit some of the wharfs in Prince Edward Island in the quiet of winter. Recently we visited French River which is the subject of the header of this blog. 

The area is quiet this time of year. The inlet is frozen finally due to the colder temperatures in the last few weeks.

I take the photos of the wharf from the lookout above the area.

Beginning in April every year, boats are tied up at the wharf. Now some are high and dry behind the fishing shacks.

The slipway is frozen and the lift is tied in place, each waiting for the time when the fishers return with their boats for another season.

The fishing shacks are larger than many we see around the coast here. 

Despite the large shacks, stacks of lobster pots line the wharf.

In another month or so, the wharf will be a hub of activity again as the fishers prepare their gear and return their boats to the water when the ice is gone. 

It can’t happen soon enough.

Autumn in French River

It was time to change the header for my blog again which necessitated a visit to French River. On the way there, we saw a number of homes with boats stored nearby for the winter in anticipation of the freeze up around Prince Edward Island this year. Surprisingly, there were a few boats left at the wharf at French River. 

There wasn’t much colour among the hills that day.

Though some fields are still green, the most autumn colour was among the fields.

Along by the water, the grasses and plants have attained autumn colour too.

Since early summer, a house has been built at the top of the hill above the wharf.

Not far from the wharf, the muscle beds have sea gulls enjoying the opportunity to be out of the water, sat atop the buoys. 

Across New London Bay, the potato harvest is underway on the far side of the golf course where nobody will play golf until next spring.

The next change will probably include some white.

Geared up

Everything is ready and waiting. Setting day, first day of the lobster season, was planned for April 29th but the wind was prohibitive. It continues to be. Now the earliest day is Thursday. Meanwhile the boats are tied up by the wharfs

and the traps stacked behind them, ready to be loaded on board.

My husband and I visited two ports. At Malpeque, the scene was consistent with other ports around Prince Edward Island. The traps, ropes, buoys and boats all show the work which goes into the preparation for the season. 

At French River, a smaller fleet of boats is tied up, waiting for traps to be loaded once the season is a go. 

While they are not deep, the boats are wide, able to hold dozens of traps, stacked on each other. 

The Knot Inarush and its gear are rearing to go.

On the hill overlooking French River, the scene stretches out before us.

The yellow fields are moments from green, as are the trees, waiting for nature to do her magic. The Knot Inarush is in the left of the photo. It doesn’t matter if we R Inarush for lobster. Nature is in charge.

On the beach

This was the scene in January on the beach at New London.

Not so inviting! This week the beach is windswept but there is much to see as we walk its length.

I love how the fishing boats are so close to shore as they navigate the channel to French River. 

They always have seagulls following them, expecting a hand-out as the fishers clean up from the day’s work. 

Fishers have a friendly wave to people on the beach, while waves from the wake are impressive on this windy day.

Low tide has exposed some rocks, not a common site on this beach. The remnants of an old wharf is exposed today too, the first time we’ve seen it. 

The remains of a lobster trap is partially buried in the sand. A well weathered piece of driftwood has withstood another winter.

Tons of seaweed has been cast ashore on this beach. More than the amount, I am taken with the colours and delicate nature of some pieces.

Low tide exposes the signs of wave action on the sand. A variety of shells, whole or broken have begun the journey to sand themselves.

Along the shoreline, apple trees are in full bloom now as is choke cherry. Lilacs need another week.

We were the only people on this beach today, taking in the best a beach has to offer. What could be better?

After the surge

From this angle and distance it looks small.

This day it is the only familiar thing on this strand of beach which was ravaged by a recent storm surge. The gray sky and the muted January light of early afternoon add drama to the scene. A walk on the beach was not possible.

I have never been to this beach in winter. My husband and I usually visit spring to autumn.

However, the January thaw invited me outdoors after what has felt like months avoiding the bitter cold. It was good to be there in spite of my inability to walk along the strand.

An ice wall lines the shoreline now and salt water is trapped inside that wall. 

The combination of the water/ice and the pieces of ice from the bay thrown ashore by the storm, make walking treacherous. I wouldn’t walk on the Marram grass further in shore as it destroys the grass which helps prevent erosion.

This inlet is usually busy with fishing boats making their way to the fish plant and back to port. 

Boats are all ashore now as the bays, inlets and harbours are frozen. 

I will be eager to see the condition of the beach after the remainder of the winter. Meanwhile, the old lighthouse stands her ground, nestled behind the sand dunes. It is a comfort to see her in pristine condition, standing guard as usual.