I don't know how many times I have watched a production of Anne of Green Gables on television. I do admit the first (?) Megan Follows' series is my all time favorite. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw that Prince Edward Island was a stop on our New England/Canada cruise.
I brought a book with me to read but finished it before we even left Boston. When we went on the cruise back in February to the Southern Caribbean, I had read a book, Death on the Lido Deck, that I found in the ship's library so I headed there to see what I could find. Surprise! Surprise! What did I find but Anne of Green Gables. I wish I had gone there the first night because then I would have finished it. As it was, I waited a day or two before looking for a book and so I didn't finish reading it before the cruise ended. I was on chapter 31. (I am still on a waiting list at our library here for a copy of the book.)
The afternoon before after we got back on the ship from our day in Sydney, we decided we would try to go on an excursion offered by the ship, Island Drive & Anne of Green Gables - 3.5 hours while in PEI. It was described as "A must do for first timers! Explore this charming island province, famous for picturesque valleys and a lovely coastline. Visit the homestead that inspired Canada's most beloved fictional character, the tale of a red-headed orphan, Anne of Green Gables. Next, visit Cavendish Beach to capture incredible scenery." Sounded like what we needed. When we went to sign up for it, the desk was closed and one of the ladies at Guests Services told us there were only three seats left. We each filled out a reservation request and slipped it in the after hours box.
Early the next morning (you had to meet for the excursion at 8:00) one envelop was slipped under the door - I had a reservation but my husband didn't. He was really considerate because he knew how much I wanted to go and told me it was okay to go without him. I told him he should go with me and maybe someone was sick or something and wouldn't show up and he could go too. I don't know why but as it turned out there was room for him on the bus - in fact there were three empty seats on the bus. So we both got to go and had a great time. I could have spent longer there as we didn't get to walk all of the trails OR even go in the Gift Shop.
Our tour guide, Linda, was outstanding. We learned so much about the beautiful province (PEI). Going across the island from Charlottetown, the capital, and where our ship docked, our first stop was in PEI National Park.
It was a little windy, but not uncomfortable and oh such breathtaking views...
Green Gables Heritage Place wasn't too far from here and we had, I think, an hour and a half there. (As I said, it wasn't long enough to thoroughly experience all that was offered there.)
I took pictures all through the house at L.M Montgomery's cousin's farm and where she visited as she was raised nearby by her grandparents that inspired her stories of Anne Shirley and Green Gables. "The house and grounds have been restored and decorated as Montgomery described in her novel and depict a typical PEI farm of the late 1800's."
(My husband took a picture of the house with just me before the crowd arrived but he cut the top of the house off. I wanted you to see the house so I am sharing a picture with the other people.)
The parlour...
Dining Room...
Matthew's Room...
Kitchen...one end...
the other end...
The Pantry...
The Hall and then up the stairs to the second floor...
Anne's room...
Guest room...
Marilla's room...
Sewing room...
Hired Hand's room...
Back porch...
Lovers Lane... (We walked about half way and had to turn around because we were running out of time. It was a beautiful trail through the woods though with the stream.)
The smaller room on the left end of the "Exhibits - barn" was the Butter Churn Cafe. We got the last two Orange Cranberry Scones they had. I am still searching for a recipe that would make them. They were out-of-this-world awesome. Best scones we have ever eaten.
The two evergreens and red flowers denotes the site of L.M. Montgomery's grave. Linda told us that the family had finally released the information several years ago that Mrs. MacDonald suffered from depression and had committed suicide.
Some views on the drive back to Charlottetown...
Back in Charlottetown...Brighton Lighthouse
I actually took this picture at the end of our day before getting back on the ship, but it fits nicely here before the pictures of our "walking" tour of Charlottetown...
So many beautiful flowers everywhere we went...
I took this picture sitting on the front porch of the PEI's Lt. Governor's Government House. I couldn't get a good picture of the house because of the sun and all the trees but you can see a picture of it HERE and read about The Honourable Antoinette Perry. It's a beautiful house. The wait for the next tour was going to be 45 minutes and we didn't have that much time left. It would have been interesting to see it since we had seen the Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia's Government House
Beaconsfield Historic House c. 1877. (check it out here) Really beautiful inside with some interesting architecture. It was equipped with all of the latest conveniences including gas lighting, running water, and a form of central heating. It contained 25 rooms, eight fireplaces, and imported chandeliers.
This stone house across the street was designed by the same architect.
I loved how in the city they had "adopt a corner". These plants looked like they had been recently planted, but were still so pretty.
I think the pink flower in the center had been there since spring and they had just added the other ones especially the white begonias.
The sunset that night taken from our stateroom...
Two more stops, but the next day we were "at sea" going around and down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City, Quebec. I needed a day of rest. I thought we might see more than we did, but it basically felt like we were at sea.
See posts also on:
Bar Harbor, Maine Halifax, Nova Scotia Sydney, Nova Scotia
I brought a book with me to read but finished it before we even left Boston. When we went on the cruise back in February to the Southern Caribbean, I had read a book, Death on the Lido Deck, that I found in the ship's library so I headed there to see what I could find. Surprise! Surprise! What did I find but Anne of Green Gables. I wish I had gone there the first night because then I would have finished it. As it was, I waited a day or two before looking for a book and so I didn't finish reading it before the cruise ended. I was on chapter 31. (I am still on a waiting list at our library here for a copy of the book.)
The afternoon before after we got back on the ship from our day in Sydney, we decided we would try to go on an excursion offered by the ship, Island Drive & Anne of Green Gables - 3.5 hours while in PEI. It was described as "A must do for first timers! Explore this charming island province, famous for picturesque valleys and a lovely coastline. Visit the homestead that inspired Canada's most beloved fictional character, the tale of a red-headed orphan, Anne of Green Gables. Next, visit Cavendish Beach to capture incredible scenery." Sounded like what we needed. When we went to sign up for it, the desk was closed and one of the ladies at Guests Services told us there were only three seats left. We each filled out a reservation request and slipped it in the after hours box.
Early the next morning (you had to meet for the excursion at 8:00) one envelop was slipped under the door - I had a reservation but my husband didn't. He was really considerate because he knew how much I wanted to go and told me it was okay to go without him. I told him he should go with me and maybe someone was sick or something and wouldn't show up and he could go too. I don't know why but as it turned out there was room for him on the bus - in fact there were three empty seats on the bus. So we both got to go and had a great time. I could have spent longer there as we didn't get to walk all of the trails OR even go in the Gift Shop.
Our tour guide, Linda, was outstanding. We learned so much about the beautiful province (PEI). Going across the island from Charlottetown, the capital, and where our ship docked, our first stop was in PEI National Park.
It was a little windy, but not uncomfortable and oh such breathtaking views...
Green Gables Heritage Place wasn't too far from here and we had, I think, an hour and a half there. (As I said, it wasn't long enough to thoroughly experience all that was offered there.)
I took pictures all through the house at L.M Montgomery's cousin's farm and where she visited as she was raised nearby by her grandparents that inspired her stories of Anne Shirley and Green Gables. "The house and grounds have been restored and decorated as Montgomery described in her novel and depict a typical PEI farm of the late 1800's."
(My husband took a picture of the house with just me before the crowd arrived but he cut the top of the house off. I wanted you to see the house so I am sharing a picture with the other people.)
The parlour...
Dining Room...
Matthew's Room...
Kitchen...one end...
the other end...
The Pantry...
The Hall and then up the stairs to the second floor...
Anne's room...
Guest room...
Marilla's room...
Sewing room...
Hired Hand's room...
Back porch...
Lovers Lane... (We walked about half way and had to turn around because we were running out of time. It was a beautiful trail through the woods though with the stream.)
The smaller room on the left end of the "Exhibits - barn" was the Butter Churn Cafe. We got the last two Orange Cranberry Scones they had. I am still searching for a recipe that would make them. They were out-of-this-world awesome. Best scones we have ever eaten.
The two evergreens and red flowers denotes the site of L.M. Montgomery's grave. Linda told us that the family had finally released the information several years ago that Mrs. MacDonald suffered from depression and had committed suicide.
Some views on the drive back to Charlottetown...
Back in Charlottetown...Brighton Lighthouse
I actually took this picture at the end of our day before getting back on the ship, but it fits nicely here before the pictures of our "walking" tour of Charlottetown...
I took this picture sitting on the front porch of the PEI's Lt. Governor's Government House. I couldn't get a good picture of the house because of the sun and all the trees but you can see a picture of it HERE and read about The Honourable Antoinette Perry. It's a beautiful house. The wait for the next tour was going to be 45 minutes and we didn't have that much time left. It would have been interesting to see it since we had seen the Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia's Government House
Beaconsfield Historic House c. 1877. (check it out here) Really beautiful inside with some interesting architecture. It was equipped with all of the latest conveniences including gas lighting, running water, and a form of central heating. It contained 25 rooms, eight fireplaces, and imported chandeliers.
This stone house across the street was designed by the same architect.
I loved how in the city they had "adopt a corner". These plants looked like they had been recently planted, but were still so pretty.
I think the pink flower in the center had been there since spring and they had just added the other ones especially the white begonias.
The sunset that night taken from our stateroom...
Two more stops, but the next day we were "at sea" going around and down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City, Quebec. I needed a day of rest. I thought we might see more than we did, but it basically felt like we were at sea.
See posts also on:
Bar Harbor, Maine Halifax, Nova Scotia Sydney, Nova Scotia
Oh my gosh you are living my DREAM! Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books, and I have dreamed of going to Prince Edward Island someday! It is just breathtaking! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your photos and your experience! It just made my day, and I will be pulling that book off the shelf this afternoon for a cozy re-read! Thanks, Patricia, and I hope you had a wonderful cruise!!
ReplyDeleteHi Joansy, So glad you enjoyed the post. I am still waiting on the book from the library. Went by today because I got an email it was waiting for me. Turns out it was a children's condensed version and only had 25 chapters. We had a marvelous time and I am ready to go back but in a way that we had stay longer. Hope you are seeing the other posts on the cruise. Working on Quebec City right now and it is going to be a long one. Loved it though. Have a great afternoon. Patricia
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