Day 22 Mon-Castle to Quaint Town!

We decided today we had best let Tim and Jess get sorted for the big trip without us around.. so after Brekky which Tim had made yummy pancakes again, on Tim’s suggestion we head to Stratford being a quaint town and we had seen a sign for the castle so we set off for Castle Kilbride at Wilmot, we knew it wasn’t a true castle as such but nevertheless we thought we will go to see what it had to offer….

Going by all the back roads we actually ended up going about 20 k on a dirt road and what a great smooth dirt road it was…the main roads around are just so rough and rugged to drive on….we thought our roads are bad and yes they are…but it would appear that the snow really plays havoc with them when melting and all the use of salt on them when snowing causes huge issues….Judy my friend said they spend the 4-5 months with out snow repairing at the damage only for it to occur all over again….guess it’s a lot like our flood periods wreaking our roads…but our floods don’t last 7-8 months of the year like snow does here….

We arrived at the Castle to discover it was an old mansion with no info about it, but had been built into a modern Council building their main Council building for the area….it did look odd and to top it off only opened Wed-Sat….so just a quick look from the side and front…
On investigation we discovered it was built in 1877 info below…
(Castle Kilbride is the former residence of James Livingston, a Canadian member of parliament, and owner of flax and linseed oil mills. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in March 1994. It was built in Baden, Ontario in 1877 and named after Livingston's birthplace in Scotland. The major feature of Castle Kilbride is the interior decorative murals in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The trompe-l'œil technique used in the murals gives the illusion of a third dimension. The building is also an outstanding example of an Italianate villa of its place and time, and at the time of its building was a tribute to the reputation of its owner as the so-called 'Flax and Oil King of Canada')

Such a shame we couldn’t go in as I think that’s where the beauty of it would have been….but the front section was quite impressive nevertheless….

Next onto Stratford is a city on the Avon River within Perth County, mainly dairy country around here, but big paddocks all ploughed now ready to see a new harvest….it has a very impressive Town Hall right in the centre of the cities main Downtown as they call it….it was built in 1897 The Perth County Court also another wow building and built in 1887… nothing like our history many from the early 1900’s still Canada has a few more years on us doesn’t it….
We went for a wander around the streets…found a lovely coffee shop to have a cuppa in opposite the Town Hall so we could watch the coming and going’s if people around it’s open square…the coffee shop had a very impressive ceiling and lots of quirky items set around its walls etc to keep the eye and my finger happy taking shoots….

After we looked around we drive down to the river checking out that section…like Kitchener it has a number of small bridges over the River making it look very scenic….people sitting around taking in the warmth of their spring days…. Back to town we ended up to a pub for lunch….John had fish and chips and yep you have to order a side salad, no salad or veggies served with a main…most times what you see on the menu is exactly what you get no extra dudes here…I had burchetta do you think that could be stuffed up…yep they put oregano on it instead of Basil….No1 I hate oregano and No 2 it really tasted like Sh##@t …. Upset my gut all afternoon…I went on something I thought couldn’t cause an issue hmmm 🤔 wrong again…

We headed back towards Kitchener going to Zerhs like Woolies to but some bits and Pierce’s for the big trip….but everything so jolly expensive…a pair of tongs was $8 no cheapies here…so after not being able to get some items I said to John let’s find a cheap shop….
We found what we thought was a cheap shop turned out yo be a huge warehouse with long table looking Bins with what must be factory 2nds all looks pretty much like a huge jumble but people everywhere scouring through them…
So out the door goggle a Dollor shop and off we set…and bonus hit my tings and everything else for $1.50 ea…. Not a Dollor anymore went up at the beginning if the year…jolly inflation hey…everywhere…
Now your asking what the heck does she need tongs for….well at nearly every Airbnb we have stayed at they don’t have flippers of tongs and have had to use a knife and fork…so a little pair of tongs is now in our emergency kit I take from A-B along with other items that we might need along the way….history has taught me yo be ready for anything when staying in accommodation on the road…

Back home we sorted our gear out…Phoenix has been to the Vets again this time to get more stuff done for his transfer back to the Land of Oz…I have mentioned that he has have regular tests and stuff down over a 6 month period to make him eligible to come back home…he is half way through all,this being done and it must be done in set dates…so our who,e travel is planned around his Vet dates…he hasn’t coming with us this trip and we will miss the little cutie…

Dinner Tim cooked of Bison sausages on a hotdog roll with sautéed onions cheese and trimmings very tasty…..

So all sorted tomorrow the big jaunt begins….long days, long drive and hopefully lots to see as we drive….Read more