On Sunday, Mark and I were travelling the backroads way from Acton to London, having had enough of the busy 401 in the torrential rain the day before. We planned to stop in Stratford but it was crazy busy and we couldn't find a place to park. Rather than spend any more time worrying about that, we simply drove the short distance to the charming town of St. Marys.
In St. Marys we didn't have to worry about the crowds. No, most of the shops were closed as it was Sunday and that really took me back in time. We parked the car and started to stroll around, enjoying a very pleasant summer afternoon, and photographing some of the wonderful architecture we spied in "Stone Town."
I loved this place! I felt like I was in Europe, rather than in a small, out-of-the-way town in Southwestern Ontario. I love balconies and I could easily imagine sitting there of a summer evening, watching the flowing river and waterfall while enjoying a glass of wine. Ahhh......
What majestic windows! Beautiful blue stained glass windows in an old opera house downtown. Oh, my goodness - why is there not still an opera house there? If this were Europe, it would still be an ongoing treasure.
What a great, and very ancient (by Canadian standards!) green and gold door. I found it warm and inviting and when I looked at it, I felt as though I were in a small town in Italy. And wouldn't that be nice?
A bit newer door, and a bit more refined, but so elegant and inviting. Number 19. I wonder what was inside.
But who wants to go inside? It's summertime! Nice to spend some quiet time on a quiet street on a quiet porch. Rocking the hours away....
A beautiful, old, stone wall by the river bank, covered with gorgeous vines.
And then we came to the beautiful flowers! We actually pinched one and stuck it in my water bottle. We will try to root it and grow it in our garden. A little bit of St. Marys in London.
We enjoyed a relaxing walk down by the river and stopped in at an old stone creamery-turned-pub, sat on the patio and enjoyed a cold beverage. Then, we strolled back to our car and on the way we spied, over a hedge, this little oasis of a wild rock garden. How we wanted to creep into that little garden and enjoy it for awhile.
Alas, we had to get back to the city. However, I saw so much exquisite architecture in St. Marys that I will post more soon. What a great spot it is. Because it is absolutely off "the beaten track", you have to deliberately plan to go there. But I have to say, it is definitely worth the drive.
Let me know what you think, OK? I look forward to hearing your comments.
Cheers!
d.e.gauley
(degauley@gmail.com)
