“The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and storytellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
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It’s raining, it’s pouring, and I just feel like watching TV. 🙂 I’m on episode 9 of season 2 of Anne with an E. Have you seen it? I’ve read that some people refuse to watch it because they don’t think it’ll be as good as a previous version, but I never can relate to that mentality. It’s like Anne said, “Different isn’t bad. It’s just not the same.”
The farmhouse at Green Gables is so, so charming, and I mean it when I say I’d watch for that reason alone. That goes for the rest of the backgrounds too. I find myself as smitten with the structures and the scenery as I do the storyline.
(Muriel Stacy’s house is one of my absolute favorites. Her potato-stamped “wallpaper” thrilled my heart!)
I’m head-over-heels HOOKED on the show, so I immediately checked Google to see where it was filmed. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that, just like the books, it’s (mostly) shot on Prince Edward Island, just off the coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
A little more research revealed that P.E.I is just 140 miles long from tip to tip, and is marked by red-sand beaches, lighthouses, fertile farmland, and is renowned for seafood like lobster and mussels.
It’s known as the “Garden of the Gulf” because of it’s verdant landscapes, locally grown cuisine, and grand traditions of art and culture.
After that, of course, I began my search for “farmhouse rentals on P.E.I” . It’s what I always do when I fall in love with the backdrop of whatever it is I’m watching. (You better believe I thoroughly researched Goodwood, Ontario after I finished Schitt’s Creek, too- ha!) I was delighted to find this old place, about an hour north of Charlottestown:
The listing says it’s called Condon Homestead because it was lived in for most of it’s life by the Condon family. It’s more than a hundred years old now, but still sits in delicious solitude, at the top of a hill in Richmond.
Apparently, it’s the only property on this long dirt road that winds through fields and forests, and according to the listing, makes for a “wonderfully relaxing walk”. Just a few miles from the sea, too! And with a large front porch that faces the sunrise, and a big back porch that faces the sunset, it sounds mighty heavenly to me. Wild flowers, bicycles…there’s even a Field of Dreams-style baseball diamond straight across the “street”. Swoon!
Anywho, it feels fun to share what I’ve been dreaming about this week. Prince Edward Island. Even the name sounds enchanting! And there’s something so “romantical” about farmland that snuggles up to the sea, don’t you think?
(Image from the wonderful P.E.I Heritage Buildings blog)
And get this- the average price of a house in P.E.I. is around $150,000-$200,000, making it one of the most affordable places to live in Canada. Of course, I want this one, that’s currently on the market for $49K:
(Here’s a link to the listing: 877 Gilbert Road)
It was built in 1880, but has an updated foundation, septic system, and well. And you should see the view across the road. Amber waves of grain as far as the eye can see! Sure, it needs lots of work, but I love dreaming about the possibilities with old places like that. Most folks would take one look and see a structure that would be easier to tear down, but I think those folks just forgot the way to fairyland, don’t you? 😉
Happy imagining, kindred spirits!
Layla
I knew you’d love this series as much as i did!
The scenery alone and THAT house sucked me in
First episode! 💗💚💗
SAME, Donna! What a delight!
Greetings from PEI Layla!!! How fun to read about our little province on one of my favourite blogs. You should visit but wait until the summer when the weather is so much better. We are currently working on our own fixer upper, not a farmhouse but a cedar style chalet in the woods. Thank you for all the inspiration you share. Its been so helpful!! Céad Míle Fáilte
Tracey! I can’t believe you’re there right now! 😀 And I loved learning “you are welcome, a thousand times, wherever you come from, whosoever you be”!
We vacation on PEI every summer!!!! You would love it there, Layla! It feels like you are entering a new world once you cross Confederation Bridge. 🦞🌻🥔⛵️
Oh, how wonderful, Kerianne! Tell us about some of your must-stay, must-see, must-eat favorites! 😀
I’ve loved Anne of Green Gables for years. I have the soundtrack, movies and books. It’s on my bucket list to visit.
Mine too, Linda! 😀
We are taking a cruise this summer up the eastern coast with a stop in PEI so I decided to watch Anne with and E and I’m loving it. Read the books 30 years ago as a child. I’m from Manitoba, Canada but our country is so large I have not been to PEI yet! Can’t wait 😊
My daughter and I are obsessed with the show. We were sooooo “sorry” to hear that Netflix is not renewing it for a fourth season:( I made my husband promise to take us to PEI for a visit. For now, we are rewatching all of the episodes and hoping that fans will make a big enough fuss to make the powers that be reconsider a fourth season.
I was sad to hear that too, Jane. Still glad they were picked up for three though! 😀
What???!!! No fourth season?! 😩
Yeah, here’s what the producer Moira Walley-Beckett said about not continuing:
“Please know that we fought, too. We tried to change their minds. We tried to find a new home. We tried for a finale movie. We tried our best. But it’s impossible to argue with words like “economics”, “algorithms”, and “demographics”. But those words, and others like them, are the reason why the Network doesn’t want to continue, and we didn’t find a taker anywhere else”.
So sad! 🙁
I loved watching Anne with an E! It made realize that I never read the whole series of books, so I have been reading nonstop ever since. It’s wonderful to fill my mind and soul with desires for fairylands, flowers, and a life that brings joy to others.
I agree! And you’ve inspired me to start reading the whole series too- thank you! 😀
I have been a fan of Anne of Green Gables and PEI for years. I’ve seen several versions. I was hesitant to watch this one, but because of your post, I am. I’m finding it as wonderful, if not more, than the others. I’m not as thrilled with the farmhouse as you are, since I’ve seen so many all my life here in Vermont and hate that our landscape has changed so much with huge box stores and sprawling new homes, but I am looking at it through your eyes and appreciate them much more. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kathy! I grew up in rural Minnesota and I love how the structures & scenery from ‘Anne’ transport me to simpler times. Feels so good in my eyes! ❤️ I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series too. I finished it last night and I already want to watch it again-LOL! 🤣
I have always loved Anne of Green Gables and went to Prince Edward Island on our honeymoon….it was a dream come true! Would love to go back someday!
Oh, Verna! What a wonderful choice for your honeymoon!!
Oh, I love this so much! My BFF and I are both huge fans of LM Montgomery, and we’ve planned to celebrate our 20th “friendiversary” by taking a trip to PEI in 2024. Thanks for sharing the photos and stories. I haven’t yet seen the show … but now I feel like I ought to check it out!
You must! 😀 And how fun that you’re planning a “friendiversary”! I LOVE that idea! I bet Anne & Diana would too. 😉
When I was young, my mom read the Anne of Green Gables books aloud to us. And My husband took me to PEI for our honeymoon 27 years ago. We traveled the all over the island using a map. We took little gravel roads and discover beautiful country side and would end up at the waters edge.
Definitely want to go back sometime.
I love Anne of Green Gables! My name is SuzANNE Shirley even! (I married into it😊). I visited PEI before I ever read the books or saw the movies — it was such a lovely place, but I didn’t fully appreciate it. I will have to watch this series and dream of visiting again.
I have been watching the Anne series from beginning to end, I love it.
I loved the series I really hope that they change there mind about it being canceled because this is one of those shows that needs a ending done right.
It’s just magic what the writers and the actors have done to bring it to life.
Please bring season 4 of Anne with an E. I loved it too and relished every beautiful cottage and the costumes were lovely. Loved that old house she loved in too!
Now I need to re-watch the series. Just one of those shows that is so delightful and well done. We summered in Nova Scotia when I was younger and of course it was kind of tortuous for me then, but now I’m longing to go back. Thanks for the encouragement to do so! Grace and peace, Jill
Well, you’ve convinced me that this is the next series that I’m going to watch on TV!!! Thank you for sharing all your beautiful pictures too. 🙂
Once again we are the same human. We zoomed through Anne with an E and were so sad that it ended after season three. I’ve already ordered the original Anna of Green Gable’s and Anne of Avonlea because they were my favorite as a little girl and my son is dying to watch them. Yes my 10 year old son loved the show so much! My bucket list has always been Prince Edward Island. So thank you for writing this I will definitely be going there one day.
Darn, I don’t have Netflix and I have never heard of this series. So, Layla, did you purposely pick out a house on GILBERT Road? *smile*.
My BFF and I went to PEI over 20 years ago and had a marvelous time. The roads really are red, and one of the locals told us they never use white or light colored flooring as it won’t last very long there.
I am willing to watch new adaptations to old shows, but I must admit that the Kevin Sullivan version from the ’80s is still my favorite. The newer PBS version just didn’t capture me the same way.
LOVED this post!! You better KNOW I’m checking out that listing you posted too!!😍🙌🏻
My oldest granddaughter, who I share a birthday with, is named Marilla Anne. PEI is also on my bucket list. 🖤
I also live on beautiful Prince Edward Island after moving here from Ontario 5 years ago. It was so wonderful to read about it on your blog. You really MUST visit, it is the most beautiful, stunning place.
Oh you did it again. I love this rabbit hole you waved us to come see! Thank you, thank you! This reminds me to keep seeking out beauty to fill my days. There’s such beauty alllll around. Thank you God!
I saw above another Jill posted above, hiiiii 🙂
I’m going to sign Jill E now 🙂 I’ve enjoyed reading & commenting this week. Thanks friend!
~ Jill E
I knew you’d go exploring when I saw your post about watching Anne with an E! So thankful you shared with us all!! Love to go there someday! Your post is delightful!
Thank you, Kary! It’s always fun to see your messages pop up here!
Love the series Anne with an E . ivw watched the 3 seasons twice praying they will put the 4 the season on Netflix. I bought the whole series of Anne of Green Gables
I’ll split it with you!! You have me dreaming! I’m in Massachusetts so not too far I suppose!!
Oops my link was wrong! Nantucketdaffodil.blogspot.com
Yay! A kindred spirit! 😀
Loved Anne!!
But fun fact is it’s filmed mostly in Ontario.
My daughter lives in the same town where they film for Aunt Josephine house, so we’ve driven by it many times.
https://www.wilmot.ca/en/Castle-Kilbride-Museum.aspx#
Oh, how fun! Makes me want to drive by there too! 😀
Debra (you with the daughter in Aunt Josephine’s town) I’m headed home to Ontario this summer and will HAVE TO look this up…PEI, actually all the Maritime provinces are on my bucket list. I moved out here to Southern Oregon after my mum died…too many memories for my dad of our farm on the banks of Lake Erie. Layla, if you go to PEI….PLEASE share pictures and your wonderful stories!
I definitely will, sweet Kimberly. And I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. Sending you a great big hug all the way from sweet home Alabama today. X
Layla
If you ever visit Goodwood you can stay at my house – I live about 20 minutes away from where they filmed Schitt’s Creek!
If you schedule your visit to include the 70 mile Coastal Yard Sale (September 19 and 20, 2020), PEI is a slice of heaven!
https://woodislands.ca/70-mile-coastal-yard-sale-2/
I loved that Anne of Green Gables book series growing up. So good! I totally want to visit Prince Edward Island. I hear it is so beautiful. That house you picked is so romantic. It is always fun to imagine making something worn down look fresh and new again.
You MUST MUST MUST go to Prince Edward Island for a visit. It is a holiday unlike any other! We are from Ontario, Canada and it’s one of my favourite places on earth. It is just as you’d imagine – lots of old “Anne of Green Gables” charm! The music, the red sand (yes RED sand!), and lots of “Cow’s” ice cream all must be experienced! Hope you get to go someday! 🙂
Hello Layla!
I recently started following you on instagram and started reading your blog and couldn’t believe it when you mentioned Lucy Maud Montgomery and then Schitt’s Creek! We live lovely small village called Mount Albert (named after Prince Albert) in Ontario 15 minutes from Leaksdale and Goodwood! Did you know that Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote 11 of her 22 novels when she lived in Leaksdale which is about 15 minutes to Goodwood! I think that is a strange coincidence don’t you that you are enamoured with LMM and Schitt’s Creek LOL! So then I google her home and Wickepedia says that her home was built in 1886 by a brick layer named Valentine Brooks one of our town’s early descendants from England and who just happen to build and live in the lovely white century home beside us and also was the brother to Charle’s Brooks, our home’s 2nd owner who renovated our home in 1905 changing it from a 1 1/2 story gothic revival to a 2 1/2 story Queen Anne! I cannot believe I haven’t visited Lucy’s home that is a museum now but will definitely do that this summer and am now going to check out Anne with an E on netflix!
Perhaps this means you are to visit our little neck of the woods one day and maybe visit Lucy’s house?
If so feel free to look us up!
Anne with an E is delightful!
Just wanted to say the show was actually mostly filmed in Ontario! Green Gables is a farm house located in Pickering, Ontario and the Blythe house is almost across the street. They did this because it would have been costly to bring cast and crew to PEI (Toronto is the centre of film and TV in Canada). Also, fans around the world have been fighting to save the show since its cancellation, since late Nov 2019 and still going. If you google AWAE and some other words like “fans” or “cancel” you will see the many media articles about it! There is also a petition: https://www.change.org/p/awae-fans-renew-anne-with-an-e-for-season-4