We arrived on PEI to a white, winter wonderland: The sand dunes and beaches had been replaced by snow drifts and frozen ice chunks glittering in the sunlight. I couldn’t wait to get to our house and see what winter looks like in St Peter’s Harbour -- one of my favourite seasons out here is early summer, with purple lupin accentuating the lush, green fields that surround our rural home on the island, and I couldn’t imagine this pastoral, ocean-view setting enveloped in a cloak of snow.
After an uncharacteristically urban-like grocery shopping and traffic experience in Charlottetown, we headed off along Hwy 2 for the 26-minutes-in-summer-weather drive to St. Peter’s Harbour.
After an uncharacteristically urban-like grocery shopping and traffic experience in Charlottetown, we headed off along Hwy 2 for the 26-minutes-in-summer-weather drive to St. Peter’s Harbour.
It was so neat to see the snow drifts, mostly pristine, but with just the tiniest hint of red from stray island dirt that had been blown across the tops of them by the most recent maritime storm!
I also noticed that the house on which construction had begun next door last summer was finished. AND there were lights on inside, and a Christmas tree could be seen from the upstairs window. It appeared our new neighbours were to be year-rounders. We made a mental note to go knock on the door and get to know them ASAP!
But first, we had to haul all our winter luggage and a week’s worth of groceries from the car to the house. Thankfully, another neighbour had dug us out, shovelling the end of the driveway as well as a little path to the front door.
I also noticed that the house on which construction had begun next door last summer was finished. AND there were lights on inside, and a Christmas tree could be seen from the upstairs window. It appeared our new neighbours were to be year-rounders. We made a mental note to go knock on the door and get to know them ASAP!
But first, we had to haul all our winter luggage and a week’s worth of groceries from the car to the house. Thankfully, another neighbour had dug us out, shovelling the end of the driveway as well as a little path to the front door.
First, a Toast
The first thing we did upon arrival was unpack the groceries and the giant flask of Argentinean beer we had brought with us for our dear friend who was good enough to pick us up at the airport and take us grocery shopping before ferrying us out to St Peter’s Harbour. Then we threw together some food and sat down to a mid-afternoon meal and beverages.
No sooner had we finished eating then there was a knock on the door.
The first thing we did upon arrival was unpack the groceries and the giant flask of Argentinean beer we had brought with us for our dear friend who was good enough to pick us up at the airport and take us grocery shopping before ferrying us out to St Peter’s Harbour. Then we threw together some food and sat down to a mid-afternoon meal and beverages.
No sooner had we finished eating then there was a knock on the door.
The new house next door is complete! New Neighbours
Turns out our new neighbours are even nosier than I am, hehe: Not only did he know all about our arrival on island, but -- thanks to the brief bio on my homeschooling blog and inspired by an account of an Argentinean Asada therein -- he even knew I was a vegetarian, and had accordingly picked up a veggie pizza from the local pizzeria in Morell!!
And now, here he was, standing in our front hall, inviting us over to eat!
My girlfriend and our PEI friend chuckled as they realised I had met my match.
We put on our winter gear and headed off down the road to properly meet our new neighbours and admire their gorgeous house. We so enjoyed one another’s company that we stayed until it was time to eat again (and boy, did I ever enjoy that yummy veggie pizza!! Thanks, Sid, if you are reading this!)
Turns out our new neighbours are even nosier than I am, hehe: Not only did he know all about our arrival on island, but -- thanks to the brief bio on my homeschooling blog and inspired by an account of an Argentinean Asada therein -- he even knew I was a vegetarian, and had accordingly picked up a veggie pizza from the local pizzeria in Morell!!
And now, here he was, standing in our front hall, inviting us over to eat!
My girlfriend and our PEI friend chuckled as they realised I had met my match.
We put on our winter gear and headed off down the road to properly meet our new neighbours and admire their gorgeous house. We so enjoyed one another’s company that we stayed until it was time to eat again (and boy, did I ever enjoy that yummy veggie pizza!! Thanks, Sid, if you are reading this!)
Serenity Now!
By comparison to Toronto (and now, especially Buenos Aires!), the island is a pretty peaceful place, especially our neck of the woods out here on the north shore, far from the chaos of Cavendish. But with even the few summer tourists gone, the peacefulness of the Island moves to a whole new level. No late night campfires, no noise from the beach, no cars passing by… with the freshly fallen snow muffling even the slightest sounds of the odd human or animal who might make a peep in this isolated time and location, the serenity of St Peter’s Harbour in winter is unparalleled!
Snow Play
When I awoke the next morning, I was eager to examine my favourite outlooks in this different season. But when I got up, I heard the distant squeaking of our other neighbours’ young children, and when I peeked outside, I saw three little people playing in the snow next door.
By comparison to Toronto (and now, especially Buenos Aires!), the island is a pretty peaceful place, especially our neck of the woods out here on the north shore, far from the chaos of Cavendish. But with even the few summer tourists gone, the peacefulness of the Island moves to a whole new level. No late night campfires, no noise from the beach, no cars passing by… with the freshly fallen snow muffling even the slightest sounds of the odd human or animal who might make a peep in this isolated time and location, the serenity of St Peter’s Harbour in winter is unparalleled!
Snow Play
When I awoke the next morning, I was eager to examine my favourite outlooks in this different season. But when I got up, I heard the distant squeaking of our other neighbours’ young children, and when I peeked outside, I saw three little people playing in the snow next door.
our little hosts in Mississauga help us pack After a week in Ontario with a delightful toddler and his two 10-month-old twin sisters, which had been preceded by three months straight of my own kids, I was missing the children, so I put on various layers and headed outside to say hello and play in the snow.
It was nice to catch up a little with our other neighbours, and to see them for the first time in winter (usually when I see this particular neighbour, he is sitting atop a lawn mower). I also learned that last year’s December snowfall had been 8 cm, and including this latest dumping, this year’s snowfall had already given Islanders over 70!
It was nice to catch up a little with our other neighbours, and to see them for the first time in winter (usually when I see this particular neighbour, he is sitting atop a lawn mower). I also learned that last year’s December snowfall had been 8 cm, and including this latest dumping, this year’s snowfall had already given Islanders over 70!
Red Roads and White Beaches
Heading back to the house, I stopped to marvel at the red roads peeking up through the snow. I followed the road with my eye to where it led to the beach I walk along so often each summer.
Determined to visit the beach at least once during this winter sojourn, I went inside, peeled off several layers of outerwear, and headed upstairs to wake Tatiana so that we could explore the beach together.
The lure of a cozy bed and a quiet house proved too much of a temptation, however, and I ended up falling asleep for several more hours.
The winter beach excursion will have to wait!
Heading back to the house, I stopped to marvel at the red roads peeking up through the snow. I followed the road with my eye to where it led to the beach I walk along so often each summer.
Determined to visit the beach at least once during this winter sojourn, I went inside, peeled off several layers of outerwear, and headed upstairs to wake Tatiana so that we could explore the beach together.
The lure of a cozy bed and a quiet house proved too much of a temptation, however, and I ended up falling asleep for several more hours.
The winter beach excursion will have to wait!
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