Setting day

Friday past was Setting Day on Prince Edward Island, the day when the lobster traps are set for the first part of the lobster season. In the island tradition, family and friends gather at day break around the wharf and along the shoreline to see the fishers off this first day. This year was different. People were encouraged to stay home because of Covid precautions.

The last several years, my husband and I have gone to the shoreline early in the morning at Cabot Beach and watched as the boats left Malpeque Harbour. 

                                                                  Setting Day 2019

The boats were low in the water, filled with as many traps as they could carry while families waved them on.

                                        Boats loaded with lobster traps, Setting Day 2019

Boats returned to port to load up again to finish the job.

Setting Day this year was a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze so my husband and I, mid morning instead of day break, went to the beach on the north shore near Brander’s Pond. A walk on the beach was in order.

Fortunately, fishers in one fishing boat were busy setting their traps just off shore and we watched other boats in the distance. 

We walked, had a leisurely picnic and watched the fishers hard at work.

Later, we visited New London and watched the boats move up the channel back to port. 

We saw one headed out again with the last of its traps. 

While we didn’t see the loaded boats leaving port encouraged by the crowd, we did enjoy Setting Day nonetheless. Lobster will be on the menu this week for sure.

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?