Trip to Almonte for lunch

 Almonte is an interesting town! They have filmed lots of Hallmark Christmas movies here. After my haircut Friday, Trip to Carleton Place, we decided to splurge on lunch out. 

Barley Mow is a nice spot. Lots of water, a great patio, and interesting food. 

I really like the trail built on the old train bridge. The patio overlooks the water.

Long-distance cyclists. We often see some in summer. It sounded like they were speaking with a German accent. 

A heron flew over us and the river.

These baskets are bountiful!

I went in to powder my nose, and spotted this sign, which is fair enough.  Everyone is short-staffed. 

Some idiot was buzzing the pigeons with a drone. What an uncomfortable experience. Cruelty to animals, as well as those trying to have a nice lunch out. There are herons, pigeons, ducks, etc., that use the river.

I sent a message on the pub's website: 

"Someone was running a drone, scaring the pigeons on the bridge, and us. The pigeons were flying over head trying to attack the drone. I was really upset. We've been visiting your pub for years. I was really discouraged. This is wildlife harassment. I thought you should be aware."

Obviously, staff are very busy. I was assured it was not the pub flying it. I was pretty sure about that. They are always slammed at lunch. I couldn't see the operator.

Enerdu power dam on the river. We watched it being built. I took photos and collected them here.

From there we took back roads. Lanark Village is a sweet town. I thought this looked like a terrific property for kids. I asked Joe Brian to turn around, to get a better drive-by shooting from my passenger window! This looks like heaven for kids.

We drove along, and I wondered what this crop was, with a safety camera on it and a sturday fence. Hmmmm.

We have had 58 mm (~2") the first 3 days of August. We have matched last year's August rainfall already!

The lakes and rivers are full. 

Another new home.

Wild Grape ivy, I'll bet.

Of course there is road reconstruction everywhere. We weren't in a hurry. This was a really hot day, and we felt badly for the flaggers. Standing all that time, yawning, stretching legs.

We arrived home. MiniFred was up to their usual tricks.  I threw out a few leaves of cabbage we weren't going to eat.

Lunch in Almonte

This morning I awoke to -1 ℃  on the back deck. We drove to Almonte for lunch about 2:30 last Wednesday, we were in a nice lull. It was quiet on the patio. There were a few flies, but no wasps. Yay! We not only 'skipped the dishes', but we skipped dinner later!

The Almonte Hydro dam was begun, on paper, in 2012. We watched it being built and I created a page for my photos. 

You can compare water levels between ↑ Sept. 2025, and May, 2017 ↓.

The bridge dates from the 1800s.

I was impressed with their hanging baskets!

Fish and chips
he didn't finish the chips! 

Chicken Souvlaki, Greek Salad!

We were almost the only customers. So nice and quiet.

These condos have a nice locale. 

We walked along the River Walk. Here is an archive photo (2017) to show you the water levels: 

2017

2025

Further up stream:

The pub from the walkway:

I did drive-by photos in town. Mr. Basketball, Dr. Naismith, was sitting there waiting for a friend to play basketball with him.

Oct. 2021

I  like to imagine the carriages that drove through:

After a nice, relaxing lunch out, we find there was an incident in Almonte! We arrived home safely, though!