Westfield Heritage Village - Rockton - Ontario Canada

D. Glenn Kilmer and Golden (Goldie) L. MacDonell, two Brantford high school teachers, purchased 30 acres in October, 1960 at the site which later became Westfield heritage Village. They envisioned a unique project which would develop a pioneer village as a non-profit educational institution to preserve and present the 19th century rural life in Upper Canada. Their vision became a reality when Westfield was officially opened to the public on June 15, 1964.
I have a friend, Lynn who is a volunteer at Westfield.  She works in the Print Shop.  Without the volunteers, Westfield would not survive.  It is an amazing place, and I went with Lynn several times.

Webster's Falls Dundas Ontario Canada

Webster's Falls is a curtain waterfall 22 metres in height. Located at the Spencer Gorge / Webster's Falls Conservation area in Greensville, its source is Spencer Creek. It is one of two falls within the Spencer Gorge, and with a crest of 24 metres, it is the largest in the region. It is also probably the most popular and widely known fall in Hamilton, and has the biggest park associated with a waterfall. According to Joe Hollick, Webster's Falls has the highest number of vintage postcards bearing its image, suggesting that it was also the most frequently visited waterfall a century ago as well.

Buildings on King Street West - Dundas Hamilton Ontario Canada

This used to be the Glen Campbell Dairy. The building is no longer a dairy but the old figure head remains to remind us of a day gone by.  It is a lovely old building.

Winchester Arms Pub.  It is a true British Pub, sporting British fare.  I can't at present find any history about the building

Crooks Hollow Dundas Ontario CANADA

Crooks’ Hollow is located on Spencer Creek, near the community of Greensville.  My friend and I went to paint there Tuesday.    It lovely down by the river, so peaceful.  

There is a century old dam there, which is about to be removed, so sad really.. The dam is situated downstream from a series of historic dams that were built in the late 18th century to provide water power to a number of grist mills, sawmills and paper mills. The Crooks’ Hollow Dam was constructed in 1913 for the purpose of supplying water to the community of Dundas, a function that ceased when a municipal water supply was established for Dundas. Between 1959 and 2001, the Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club used the reservoir as a source of water for irrigation. The reservoir and surrounding lands are currently used for recreation including hiking, fishing and limited boating. In 2000, the ownership of the Crooks’ Hollow Dam along with 9.9 hectares of land was transferred to the HCA.  Over the years, several dam condition assessments have identified concerns relating to the integrity and stability of the dam. These studies, along with a Dam Stability and Assessment Study conducted in 2005, further confirmed the need to restore, modify or remove the dam to ensure its safety during major storm events. The decision is very controversial.  I personally think restoration should go ahead.

Soccer at Ancaster High School Ontario Canada June 2011

Ancaster’s history stretches back over 200 years. The town was given its name in 1793 by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe after it had been surveyed as part of a plan to create roads for military reasons. By 1823, due in large part to its easily accessible water power located nearby already existing historical trading routes, Ancaster had become Upper Canada's largest industrial and commercial center. At that time it also had the largest population in Upper Canada with 1,681 townspeople surpassing both Toronto's 1,376 and Hamilton's 1,000 residents.

The soccer game is part of the Heritage Days Celebrations..  My friends grandson was playing in the over 15's, so we went along to watch and support him.

Mt Nemo conservation area, Halton; Ontario CANADA

Mt Nemo conservation area has one of the best cliff ecosystems on Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment. Rich green ferns blanket limestone boulders scattered among old growth forests that are alive with jewel like birds. Crevice caves and ancient cedars, a thousand years old, can be seen all along the meandering cliff edge trail.

An interpretive lookout with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside lets visitors know why this natural environment park is worth protecting. Parking and connections to the Bruce Trail are available at this intriguing conservation area.

While I was sitting here sketching, a Turkey Vulture came and sat on the rock I was sketching.  It was so neat, and he stayed there for a good 2 minutes.  I bent down to pick up my camera to take his photo, but his mate came by, flapped her wings and they flew off..