I had to go about 45 minutes south of Georgetown to my home town, Oakville, on Tuesday. It was a fair bit warmer and sunnier when I got to Oakville and I decided, after my appointment, I would go for a walk down by the lake. I spent many spring and summer days there in the Lakeside Park when growing up. Even as I approached the park, familiarity overwhelmed. I remember that tree, the gazebo, the lighthouse down at the lake, all so familiar and long due a visit. I have always loved lakes and seas, rivers and creeks. Any body of water. As a youth this was the spot I would often come to when happy or sad, just to be at peace. I am always calmed by the water. It was a warmer than usual day (+5 Celsius) and the sun was bright and for the first time this season felt warm on my face! (all pictures look better when enlarged, there was just to many)
I could sit for hours and stare out upon the water....
The Harbour has changed greatly since I was young. Tall apartments and condos were new additions to the view. If you look to the right , that is the original wooden lighthouse. It was moved and restored.
This view looks the same. Many times I have walked down to the lighthouse, often alone in my thoughts, as I am on this day. I remember hanging out with a group of friends diving and swimming off the end of the pier. Strolling along it's length on hot summer evenings trying to catch that elusive breeze for a bit of respite from the heat. As I think about it, I was more often alone though, than with friends. This was a healing place for me and as always, it felt good to be there.
So deceiving! It looks warm enough to swim in.
Waterfowl are every where. Some in flight,
and some just lazing around. I think these are Bufflehead Ducks, or possibly Old Squaw or a mixture of the two! If any one knows what they are for sure, let me know.
Looking back into the Lakeside Park along the pier, I sat down to soak up the wondrous sunshine and watched as a fisherman on the opposite shore cast a line into the water.
Just a thin layer of ice between the gulls and the water on the inlet side. I saw the reflections of the sea gulls and had to have a pic. Do go see all the
Weekend Reflections!
If you enlarge the picture below you will see it was shot towards the Toronto side of the Golden Horseshoe, a large horseshoe shaped portion of the lake. The Toronto skyline is visible in the distance.
A lone goose shows the typical Canadian Goose markings.A lot of people think they are a nuisance but I think they are beautiful with their very distinct markings. It is the humans who have made the mistake of feeding the geese that has changed their migration patterns.
A couple preen side by side. Both male and female look alike.
Wide expanse and many different types of water fowl adrift on this day.
Many happy times were spent as a youth hanging around the gazebo! There were bands playing in the summer in the evenings. The park is so close to town. When I was growing up there weren't any malls or places for the youth to hang out. A park was ideal!
Beautiful historical homes surround the park. An ancient tree sets a frame for St Knox Church.
A ship builder, David Pattersons home, in 1835. A plaque on the building by the Oakville Historical Society.
I couldn't leave the town with out looking at my old schools. Unfortunately, the high school is being torn down. My old public school is still running though. It was originally a one room school house and was added onto later.When I went there it accommodated a few hundred children form Kindergarten to grade 8. My 8th grade year was in the old school house room of the school and I loved it. Couldn't stand my teacher, but the room was great!
The old bell tower is still on the roof and the original entrance in the front and still painted green! I remember gleaming hard wood floors and a library under the upper senior classroom. The biggest downfall was the Principals office was right beside the classroom!
