Brackley Beach

I get to my new home yesterday. It is a basement apartment in a quiet subdivision. The downstairs is large. The bathroom is big with a full-size bathtub and shower. The finishings are all new. The kitchen area has a hot plate instead of a stove but that’s okay. The bedroom is comfortable as well. Once I settle in, I start to notice a few oddities. There are only two windows, which are in the bedroom. So, the rest of the place is without natural light and no way to get air circulation. It seems cold but I then realize that it is that dampness that comes to all basements. They have baseboard heaters down here with several thermostats but I’m thinking they have the breakers off because they don’t come on at all. The furniture is from the 70’s and I quickly realize that they don’t really care about their guest’s comfort. The outside is also unkempt; the lawn needs mowing the shrubs need trimming. I’m wonder if anyone actually lives here. I do hear people in the morning walking around upstairs but I don’t really see anyone for the three nights I’m here. Ah well, I’ll deal with it and make a mental note to not book basement apartments again.

My first full day I head out to find some lighthouses. Prince Edward Island has 63 of them apparently, I head to the north shore to see if I can find some. The drive is very beautiful, through lots of farm land (potatoes, corn, potatoes, hay, potatoes, etc.) The day is overcast but promises to clear up as the day goes on. I get to the first one in Dalvay Park. There is also a huge beach there as well. I head to the beach first. I make my way down to the beach and find no one there. This is a very big beach with red sand. The sea is calm and it looks like a nice place for a dip. Maybe if the weather was nicer. I make my way back to the car and head over to the lighthouse. This one is called Covehead lighthouse. It is not that tall and it is made of wood, but I’m sure it can be seen for miles. It is painted white with red trim. It is still in operation. You can’t go into these lighthouses. Okay onto the next one.

It is a pretty drive along the coast. There are little hamlets and lots of farms and wide-open spaces. The next one is in North Rustico Harbour. This little place is a larger village. It has a nice harbour and a walk way to get to the sea. I might as well get some exercise since I’m driving so much. I see a statue of a fisherman in the water and have to take a look. He is making a very good roost for a sea gull! The plaque states that it depicts a typical Rustico Acadian fisherman bringing home a 30-pound cod for dinner. This area was first settled by 6 Acadian families in 1767 and it honours the perseverance of these families. It also celebrates 250 years of fishing the bounty of the sea. Nice! I continue walking toward the lighthouse. You can see many buildings that were probably used for fish processing back in the day. There are quite a few houses and it looks like there are quite a few families living here. I make it to the lighthouse which again is white with red trim. There is not much of a beach area here though so it must be more of a fishing harbour. I did notice a few restaurants though and it is almost 2:00 PM.

I choose one and have my first bowl of chowder with a cheese biscuit and a glass of raspberry lemonade. It is delicious, full of potatoes, whitefish, some clams and maybe crab? In any case it is great! Yes, there is a picture below. I walk back to the car and head off to find the next light house.

As I drive, I head through a town called Cavendish. I’m thinking that this is the main town up on the north shore. It is very large and seems to have a carnival atmosphere to it. There are several camping places like KOA’s and other private campgrounds. There are several motels as well. There is also an area with rides and go carts and I also see a golf course. This where the Anne of Green Gables homestead is located. There is the house where Anne was supposed to have grown up in. It is quite busy and loud. So unlike the peaceful towns I have passed through. Anyways I’m just passing through.

The last lighthouse for today is in Cape Town. I have programmed all of these into the Garmin and have just been following along. Now Garmins are great but you have to stop and question it when it takes you off the main roads and down a red dirt road. I’m glad I drive an Escape that can handle some ‘off-roading’. Down the one lane road I go. Good thing no one else is here! I come up on a crest and actually see the lighthouse! Well, I guess technology knew what it was doing this time. It is once again a white and red lighthouse (I’m starting to see a pattern here!) made out of wood. You can see the light going around like a quiet sentinel keeping the ships safe. This one has some interesting shoreline with what look like caves. There is no way down there from land, so I can’t check them out. You can really see the red clay that makes up this island.

I head back down the red dirt road (going to need a car wash) and then head home. Hope you liked the lighthouses, more to come.Read more