Spring at Green Gables

My last visit to Green Gables was at the end of December, when it was snow-covered and peaceful.  I enjoyed the solitude and the beauty of the the scenery.  

This time, it was busy with tourists, though nowhere near as crowded as it will be in the height of summer.  Entrance to the farmyard is through the barn.  I took this photo from beside the house (and without my glasses), so I didn't see the Mennonite couple entering: I would never intentionally take a photograph of them, but I hope that my readers understand that this was the only photo of this view, which I wanted to share with you.  (I took care to ensure that they did not appear in any of the internal photographs of the house, although they were walking in front of me.)  The house is approached from the rear (this is now the exit). 

 

This tree was just starting to come into blossom.  We have had a very poor spring and the trees and plants are at least a month behind.

Coming round the front of the house to the front door.  There were a few tourists on the lawn and a school group enjoying lunch under one of the trees.

Entering through the front hall, we turned left into the living room.  The rooms have been restored in keeping with the Green Gables story.

The tour continues through the living room and into the dining room. 

The rooms were quite dark, even with some of the lamps lit (and it was sunny outdoors), but I imagine that it would have been even darker when it was inhabited as a family farm, with dark decor and poor lighting.  

 

Matthew’s room was on the ground floor of Green Gables and I recall from the story that he rarely went upstairs.

Other rooms on the ground floor include the scullery, larder and kitchen. 

 

 

 The old-fashioned Waterloo stove was used for cooking and heating and had pride of place in the kitchen.

Upstairs is the room that everyone want to see - yes, it is Anne’s room and it looks like she just stepped out of it.  I could just imagine her running up the stairs from the garden with her red pigtails flying behind her.

The other bedrooms on the upper floor include a guest bedroom.

As well as Marilla’s bedroom.

And, of course, her sewing room.

 As I was descending, I paused at the window to look at the view across the garden to the farmyard beyond.

It was interesting to see the interior of the house and I was fortunate that it wasn’t too crowded during my visit, as one of the guides told me that it is absolutely packed during the summer.  She said that, between April and October 2017, they had 250,000 visitors!

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Tracy, my kindred spirit.