7:00 am -- Patte and I are on Deck Six for our morning walk -- 30 minutes -- 8 times around the deck -- 2 miles. The briskness makes us walk faster.
8:00 am -- Lido for breakfast -- the four us decide on what to do with our day. Phil has scoped out Charlottetown and has agreed to be our Guide. We decide to wait till next week to tour the Anne of Green Gables House -- Patte and I have both read the book in anticipation.
9:05 am -- Our first stop on Phil’s Tour is St. Dunstan’s Cathedral Basilica (he likes to visit churches) -- St. Dunstan’s parish has existed since 1812-- the cornerstone for the first stone Cathedral was laid in 1896 -- exterior completed 1898 -- interior completed 1907 -- destroyed by fire 1913 -- rebuilt in time for Christmas Eve Mass 1914. This is the Church we visit and it is spectacular. These Catholics know there’s a cruise ship in town. They have all their literature -- rosaries -- prayer cards -- books laid out on a table at the back of the Church. I am now the proud owner of “The History of St. Dunstan’s Cathedral Basilica.” Do you think my book group might want to read this?
We move on to the Province House -- birthplace of Confederation. The Province House was the site of the Charlottetown Conference in 1864. Delegates from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island met for five days discussing the constitutional and economic basis for a Confederation of British Colonies in North America. Currently the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island meets here in their chambers.
Moving along we get to the center of town and pop into a couple of shops --- particularly the Northern Watters Knitwear. Lo and behold Phil (shopping the sale table as he’s been taught) found a sweater that fit him perfectly. The only thing missing was an ascot and a pipe. Then I found a sweater that fit me like a glove. Both sweaters are handmade with the name of the local knitter on the label. We bought both for 50% off and were told that all repairs to the sweaters are free for the life of the sweater -- of course we’d have to get the sweaters to them. But -- we are quite proud as we walk out wearing our new finery.
Just down the block we find the Anne of Green Gables Chocolate Shop -- they are giving out samples -- we are hooked.
On to the Beaconsfield Historic House overlooking Charlottetown Harbor. This house was built in 1877 by a leading businessman. It was equipped with all the latest conveniences -- gas lighting, running water, central heating. The house passed into other hands through the years becoming the property of the Prince Edward Island Heritage Foundation in 1970. It is a wonderful place to visit ---
12:30 pm --- We’re all getting hungry so it must be lunch time. A brewery caught our eye and in we went for lunch. Phil samples the mussels which are known to be very good in this area.
After Lunch -- we scout around for more Churches but cannot find any that are open -- they must not realize a cruise ship is in town.
We’re back on board in time for Trivia at 3:30 -- we have a respectable showing but do not come in as the winners.
An uneventful dinner at the Lido --- again requesting a new tablecloth -- but we’re getting used to that -- and some after dinner dancing in the Crow's Nest to complete our day.
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