This afternoon we
drove to PEI National Park on the north shore and walked Cavendish Beach. Our
intention had been to park at the empty campground and walk from there but the
buzz of chainsaws and the sight of men in hi-viz jackets confirmed the area was
closed for cleaning up after last month’s hurricane Dorian.
Cavendish was
badly hit with thousands of trees down. Despite its somewhat tired old world
charms this remains the epicentre of summer tourism here and starting the mammoth
clean-up now will give them a head start before next season. We pulled up our
hoods against the strong north westerly wind and walked west with the breakers
crashing to our right and sea foam scudding across the wet sand.
An outflow from Clarkes
Pond blocked our route by which time we had almost reached the campground via
the beach. Smoke rose from several fires where workers were burning brush and
tree trimmings. For a short while we sought shelter from the wind in the lea of
towering dunes then Susan scampered wilfully up the side of one. This was quite
without damage to the dune as it is covered in thick grass. From the top she
called down to announce what a splendid view she had.
Driving back
through to Charlottetown via North Rustico we decided to aim for Victoria Park.
There we finished our afternoon’s exercise with a stroll up and down the
harbour boardwalk before heading home to batten down the hatches and settle in
for dinner and movies.
