Winter morning

Tags

fog, morning, PEI, Sea, sun, vista

This photo was taken this morning, mix of Sun and clouds with some fog over water opening unto the sea. Dramatic no? We get this sort of vista in Winter in PEI.

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My father and the Sea

Tags

Dad, Funeral, Music, PEI, Sea, sun

My Dad died 2 years ago on 12 July, it was very sudden a hot Sunday in Montreal. He did not want the usual funeral service, did not like the expense of it all, could not see the point. He had spoken with his doctor who was also affiliated with the Medical School at McGill University in Montreal. He had made all his arrangements ahead of time, so we had no involvement but to honour his commitment.

In June 2017 McGill University notified us that they were releasing his remains and according to their protocol, they had a service of thanks for all those who donated their bodies to the advancement of medical science, very nice service done in one of the grand halls of the University, the funeral parlour then took care of the cremation.

My Dad also had a wish, he wanted to be buried at sea. So I made those arrangements with music, a fiddler, French Champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin and a floral tribute.

So we honoured his wish. My sister and brother-in-law were with us and Will on whom I can always count and have all these years for his support. What was uncertain was the weather, stormy and unpredictable, though today by 2pm the heavens cleared up and the sun appeared, turning the clouds into shiny silver streaks on a blue background.

It was quite beautiful, the captain took the ship out some distance and at a certain point in the open sea his ashes were released and the flowers thrown into the water while the fiddler played. My sister reminded me that today 28 September was the date of the death of our mother 4 years ago. I thought it was Fate who wanted this event to coincide with the date of her death. My parents had been together some 64 years.

The sea was calm and a cool breeze was felt while the sky smiled on us. I just looked at the vast expanse of the sea and became reflective about my parents, time and our place in the universe, there was not a sound except for the wind. The captain and his wife were very kind and thoughtful throughout this journey on the waters.

On our way home going West the sun was very bright as it was setting, the clouds where now golden with a hint of pink and violet. We were quiet in the car, tired from the day and happy it had gone so well. Our duty is done and Dad got his wish and we know, all of us, that he would have been very happy with this day.

Dad on vacation in Greece with the Aegean sea behind him.

Our brother Stephan who lives in Florida could not be with us unfortunately, but here we are Will, Sophie, Andrew and me on the boat.

 

Walk on a Sunny cold day

Tags

Beaconsfield house, Charlottetown, Fanningbank, light house, PEI, sun, Victoria Park, winter

This Winter we have so far many cold but brightly sunny days, cold around -6C or +8C it alternates depending on the wind South East or North East.

There are many places to walk in Charlottetown, the downtown area is quite small, 6 blocks by 9 blocks. with green squares and parks here and there. Then we also have the 50 acre Victoria Park facing the entrance to the Straits with 3 rivers coming together.

I took a walk and some photos of the area yesterday, lots of people walking their dogs.

The opening into the Straits of Northumberland with on the right side of the photo Rocky Point where Port La-Joye or Fort Amherst is located, the first establishment before Charlottetown was built. Even today a beautiful spot if a bit isolated.

One of the lighthouses in the area to guide ships, this one at the entrance to the North River. They are automated.

Beaconsfield, a folly built by in 1877 by James and Edith Peakes, a very prominent family of immense wealth. They did not enjoy their house long, James went bankrupt and left town moving to Vancouver some 6000 Km away, I suppose he took the new train across Canada, to work in a bar, am not sure what happened to Edith but I believe she stayed in town. The house was re-possessed by Henry Cundall, who had other homes in town, who moved into it in 1883 with his sisters Penelope and Millicent. It is a beautiful museum today and gives a good idea of how the affluent lived then.

Fanningbank, the Official Residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Prince Edward Island since 1834. I do volunteer work here, I just completed the updating of the notes for the guides who give tours in the Summer months. It had to be completely redone, covering each room, the furniture, the paintings and portraits, the oriental rugs, etc plus the history in a short format in both Official Languages, 20 pages in French and 20 in English. It took me 3 months and I am quite happy with my work.

As you walk the boardwalk you will pass in front of the Residence, the thick hedge is higher than it looks, Fanningbank is next door to Beaconsfield house.

The Prince Edward Battery (1799) just to the West of Fanningbank in a defensive position facing the entrance to the Harbour of Charlottetown, British regulars and Colonial Militia until 1864 manned the site. The stone powder house (1866) was just restored completely.

It is a nice walk, fresh air, bright Sun, just fun all around thing to do. I have taken our Nora for a walk here, she liked it, lots of smells and wants to jump into the river, roll in the grass and chase the crows. I know crazy Wire Hair Dachshund.

 

 

 

Happy Winter Solstice

Tags

boys, Christmas, dancing, Fire, rituals, Saturnalia, Solstice, sun

Well 21 December is the Winter Solstice and we are told by our resident Meteorologist at the CBC Charlottetown, Kevin Boomer Gallant that now days will start to become longer and on this first day a good 68 seconds of light is added to the day.  Can Spring be far off?

Enjoy the Winter Solstice remade in to Christmas. An old Gaul tradition was to build a big fire to entice the Sun to return.

 painting by Sergey Sovkov.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This afternoon in Charlottetown

Tags

boat, Charlottetown, COWS, cruise ships, ice cream, Marina, PEI, sun, water

We have had a glorious sunny week in Charlottetown, late Summer weather with cool nights.

There are 2 cruise ships in port every day and next week we will have 3 in one day. Though the ships can carry upwards of 2000 passengers, they usually have only about 1000 on board at the most.

It is so pleasant to walk around town and go the to dock to look at the river and all the green and some colour now on the trees all around, really idyllic. Here are some pictures.

 

 

 

With this Thanksgiving weekend a lot of activities at the Marinas, the owners are taking their boats out of the water for winter. There was one this afternoon being taken out a great big thing, valued at $750.000 cdn. I can just imagine the cost of gas for that boat. It is so big that as it goes down Water Street to its parking place for the Winter it needs an escort truck to make sure incoming traffic is not in the way. The other pictures are of the various Cruise ships. This is my backyard literally, the once close up with the Holland American ship is taken from my kitchen window.

It is so relaxing to just sit on the docks, enjoy the quiet and the sun and eat an ice cream looking at the scenery.