Down on the farm

The Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island travels mainly through the centre of the island, an area which is farmland. Industrial farms and remaining family farms come into view as we ride the Trail. Fields sometimes appear to go on forever as they stretch over the countryside. Now crops are beginning to emerge from the rich red soil.

Horses and cows/cattle are a common sight along the trail. I always stop to watch and admire the beauty of these animals. On a recent visit to the area of Grand Tracadie, these horses looked so peaceful as they grazed on the family farm. In the distance clover fills the field.

In and around Darlington, PEI, there are several farms with horses. Young foals in the fields were curious as we rode by. The older animals had more pressing needs.

Another day, before I saw cattle, I heard a flock of birds, starlings for sure. Then through a break in the trees, I noticed a herd walking through a field. I stopped to watch and listen to the birds and a young calf stopped to watch me.

The animals we encounter are often as curious about us as we are about them.

Further along, the main herd had settled in around their water source and frenzied starlings visited around them. 

In the pond, a female Mallard and her ducklings swam, unconcerned about the cattle nearby. It was an idyllic setting.

On the way back through the same area, what looked like a cattle trailer cut across the trail from a nearby field. 

Some of the cattle may have been headed to market. The reality of farm life for these animals is not idyllic though these cattle are not raised on a factory farm. They looked content in the pasture.

Country life is one of the reasons I love Prince Edward Island.

Farm country

We cycled four times last week, with our latest outing on Saturday. It was a beautiful autumn day, with a breeze cool enough to be comfortable. We rode eastward in the centre of the island along the Confederation Trail, in an area we hadn’t explored previously. We enjoyed the countryside and everything it revealed.

The area is farm country and old barns were a common sight as we rode along. 

Fields of crops such as potato almost ready for harvest or field corn, 

are common sights on the island. 

However, we also passed a huge field of carrots, some harvested, 

some still in the earth. We had never seen such a field.

Old barns were a common sight but one newer barn held cows.

Outside that barn, a vine had taken over the usual vegetation, covering it completely.

Asters and goldenrod are growing along the sides of the trail but daisies were prominent along the edge of the trail and fields over a two kilometre stretch. They were a pleasant addition.

Near another old barn, four horses were feeding on hay. There wasn’t enough rain this year for grass to grow much. 

One house near the trail is obviously the home of a fisherman. An old boat lies in repose out back 

and nets are drying nearby.

People are preparing for the cold weather, getting wood ready while the temperatures continue in the comfortable range.

It is interesting to have a glimpse into the lives of farmers and fishers on the island as we ride the trail which connects all of us.

Country life

A drive along the Argyle Shore on the central south coast of Prince Edward Island highlights various types of farm life in a small area, within view of the sea in many places.

There are many cattle farms in the area with the animals grazing in the August sun.

One farm raises alpacas which had recently been sheared.

Another farm grows honey bees and sells the honey in the roadside stand at the end of the driveway.

We bought some wildflower honey there, leaving the money in a tin inside the stand. The honour system still thrives on the island.

A old Catholic Church along the shore, St. Martin of Tours, is over 150 years old.

I stopped in to have a look. It is small, with only two rows of twelve seats, simple but beautiful. 

It is a peaceful setting in the summer heat and the busy tourist season.

Crops are growing well in this area. The rolling hills slope down to the sea with potatoes, corn, barley, soy and others, all needing more rain this summer. 

Harvesting of hay for feed or straw for bedding is well underway. Farm machinery is the source of an occasional slow-down in traffic.

Such is country life on PEI and the Argyle Shores is a great example.