2011-53 London & Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Hello
All,
At Flint, Michigan, we turned east and followed Interstate-69 to the Canadian border. After crossing into Canada we continued east on Highway 402 to London, Ontario.
Two friends, Barb & Joanne, whom we met while on our China trip, live in London. We made arrangements to meet up with them. Miss Joanne offered to put us up at her townhouse and act as our guide while visiting the area. She is such a sweetheart.
Our first venture after we arrived was at Eldon House. It was built in 1834 by Captain John Harris, an officer in the Royal Navy. It is the oldest house remaining in London from an earlier era. Captain Harris was a British naval commander, politician, and diplomat. For many years Eldon House was the center of London’s cultural and social life; and four generations of the Harris family dwelt in it for more than 125 years. In 1960 the family gave the house with most of its furnishings and eleven acres of land to the City of London for a museum and park. Exterior gardens are beautifully maintained with a large variety of plants and flowers.
At Flint, Michigan, we turned east and followed Interstate-69 to the Canadian border. After crossing into Canada we continued east on Highway 402 to London, Ontario.
Two friends, Barb & Joanne, whom we met while on our China trip, live in London. We made arrangements to meet up with them. Miss Joanne offered to put us up at her townhouse and act as our guide while visiting the area. She is such a sweetheart.
Our first venture after we arrived was at Eldon House. It was built in 1834 by Captain John Harris, an officer in the Royal Navy. It is the oldest house remaining in London from an earlier era. Captain Harris was a British naval commander, politician, and diplomat. For many years Eldon House was the center of London’s cultural and social life; and four generations of the Harris family dwelt in it for more than 125 years. In 1960 the family gave the house with most of its furnishings and eleven acres of land to the City of London for a museum and park. Exterior gardens are beautifully maintained with a large variety of plants and flowers.
Antique
furnishings within the house were exquisite. Tours of the house are guided and
informative. Photography is allowed, with the exception of “no flash.”
Here is a shot of the library. Note the quill pen on the table.
Here is a shot of the library. Note the quill pen on the table.
This
is a sitting room with some amazing furniture. Check out the elegant shape of
the sofa, or “chesterfield” as they say in Canada.
Service
for eight plus a child remains set at the elegant formal dining table.
This
is the master bedroom suite.
Can’t
you imagine a gentleman sitting in a chair by the floor lamp, reading a good
book in this exquisite room--complete with cozy fireplace for warmth and
comfort?
Check
out the collection of toys exhibited in the nursery.
There
were way too many rooms within the house to share in our little blurb. And, we
took way too many photos to share them all. If you should ever get into this
neck of the woods it is a destination we would highly recommend seeing.
That evening our friends took us out for dinner at a lovely restaurant. The food was great and they were such cordial hosts as we all reminisced about our China trip. That’s Miss Barb on the left and Miss Joanne on the right.
That evening our friends took us out for dinner at a lovely restaurant. The food was great and they were such cordial hosts as we all reminisced about our China trip. That’s Miss Barb on the left and Miss Joanne on the right.
The
next day Joanne, our self appointed guide, took us to Stratford, Ontario, which
happens to be her hometown. This wonderful picturesque town and the river
running through it were named after Stratford upon Avon, England, in 1832.
In 1864, Thomas Edison, at age 17, lived in Stratford for a brief time, working as a telegraph operator. Stratford steadily grew, and was incorporated as a city in 1885, with a population of 9,000. The 2011 census reported a population of almost 31,000.
The Stratford Shakespearean Festival has grown since its inception in 1953. It is now housed in four different theaters, and draws many thousands of visitors from all over the world.
This is the entrance to the Shakespearean Gardens.
In 1864, Thomas Edison, at age 17, lived in Stratford for a brief time, working as a telegraph operator. Stratford steadily grew, and was incorporated as a city in 1885, with a population of 9,000. The 2011 census reported a population of almost 31,000.
The Stratford Shakespearean Festival has grown since its inception in 1953. It is now housed in four different theaters, and draws many thousands of visitors from all over the world.
This is the entrance to the Shakespearean Gardens.
Gardens
and hanging baskets were abundant throughout town. And butterflies were enjoying
the many flowering plants.
Pop artist Justin
Bieber, grew up in Stratford. And, we drove by actor, director, screenwriter,
and producer, Kevin Spacey’s home while touring the city. Here is one of the
lovely Tudor style homes in town.
Our
main stop was at Queens Park on Lake Victoria (part of the Avon River). It was
a beautiful day and we spent a couple of hours walking around the park taking
photos.
Ducks, geese, blue herons, and white and black swans lazily swam in the water and foraged along the banks. We witnessed many types of watercraft cruising on this lovely sunny day--what a beautiful park. It is certainly easy to see how one could be drawn back to this place time and time again.
Ducks, geese, blue herons, and white and black swans lazily swam in the water and foraged along the banks. We witnessed many types of watercraft cruising on this lovely sunny day--what a beautiful park. It is certainly easy to see how one could be drawn back to this place time and time again.
This
Mallard hen was taking a break while keeping a wary eye out for predators.
Isn’t she a work of art! Her patchwork feather pattern is awesome.
Here
is just one of the many swans we saw cruising the lake. They are such a
majestic bird.
We
also thoroughly enjoyed driving through the downtown streets to see the many
galleries, shops, and sidewalk cafes. There was a festival taking place so the
traffic was a bit heavy. It was all very quaint, elegant, and Elizabethan. We
would definitely like to spend more time there in the future. Here is a parting
shot of the county courthouse and the grounds surrounding it.
Our
next adventure will take us back into the states. But, more on that later.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns