Yes, after a few errands, off we went. I'm feeling some better, not so grumpy.
This is an old resort, In Chaffey's Locks, bought up by a couple with much energy and talent. Fiona McKean and Tobias Lütke bought it at auction in 2015.
It was Chaffey's residence in the early days, in the 1870s.
Next, a boarding house in the 1890s, and a luxury men's fishing club in 1900s. They had personal barbers, and a private golf course. It was purchased by W.E. Phillips in 1921 and reopened as The Opinicon Club. Up for sale in 2012, we had driven by many times.
It's been spruced up and modernized. Only open until the end of October, and they are working on a new pool! We had a wonderful lunch. Such a beautiful spot, even in Autumn!
A wonderful venue, featuring modern art. A couple of pieces are by an acquaintance, Andrew King!
A senior's groups was visiting for lunch! All of the accommodations are cottages. They even have several spots for electric cars to recharge.
–in the rain. What the heck. I needed to get out of the house. First, gassing up in Rideau Ferry, off we went. I had a mind to see the rivers and lakes. The flooding has been awful across the country, in water logged spots. (Read more here.) I'd forgotten about cottage country roads. The powerful water creates huge gullies. The vegetation is a startling, brilliant green.
We must remember to go back to this spot. There are several birding spots, as well as the Queens U. Biological Station (QUBS). this location. You must stand on the side of the road, manage the bugs, and listen, as they are on private property.
"Since the early 1970’s QUBS has been a one of the most important sites of ornithological research in
Canada. Hundreds of peer-reviewed papers about the ecology, behaviour and evolution of birds have been
published over the decades, and important conservation work on Cerulean Warblers, Golden-winged
Warblers and Eastern Whip-Poor-Wills has been done here."
The Opinicon had a private event. It's been renovated after being closed for a time. It's been bought and is running again. It is 80 years old, and has gone through a variety of iterations. Chaffey's residence in the early days,
then a boarding house in the 1890s,
men's fishing club in 1900s.
A family bought it in 1921 to run as a resort.
The culverts are simply mad rapids.
My drive-by shootings of the trout lily and trillium are just about ready to bloom.
There are tons and tons of farm lands, now giant ponds, where ducks and geese float.
For some reason, I asked if we could go to Lyndhurst. I'd forgotten, but there are some fun stores. The Green Gecko, for one, where I bought a new umbrella.
