A Gazebo is
not, after all, a meat larder.
(Thomasina in Arcadia)
The
Bat Mobile went by in a blur; was that Joker behind the wheel? Wasn’t sure if my eyes were tricking me; the
cocktails and wine may still be speaking to me. It doesn’t do to overindulge
when you’ve a full day of People Watching ahead of you. So not quite up with the Sunday morning
birds, but managed some form of breakfast before setting off to Niagara On The
Lake. Unfortunate scheduling on my part
choosing an 11:30 show, but have since learned my lesson.
After
a week of cubicle mode(where I tried to maintain holiday mode for another five
days) I was more than ready to strike out again. Many people had the same idea because the
highway was unusually busy and the sighting of some clown behind the wheel of
Bat Man’s car was a refreshing sight.
Better than watching the driver to my right fling his chewing gum out
the window? Your gum has gone has gone
stale, do you A) wrap it in a tissue and place it inside your garbage
compartment or B) fling it out the window and hope it doesn’t hit a passing
motorcyclist?
Niagara
Stone Road can be a breaking point for drivers and it’s got to be frustrating for
the locals should they get stuck behind a tourist doing 40 kmph. It’s confusing for visitors as the speed
limit changes from 80 to 50 to 70 back to 80 then 50 again. Then again, they are too busy sightseeing to
pay any attention to speed limits.
Secured
the last parking space in town. The
church crowds are out in full force and parking is a premium up until 7PM
ish. What are tourists doing up at this
time anyway? When I’m doing B & B it’s a leisurely breakfast followed by
another leisurely few hours.
First
stop was Trifles with two one act
plays, Trifles by Susan Glaspell and A
Wife For a Life by Eugene O’Neill .
Trifles reminded me of Swann, mentioned here before; things going on in
farmhouses and no one on the outside knows because of the isolation. Enjoyed this play very much. The second play was regarded by the
playwright as weak and while the acting is very good(how can you go wrong with
Benedict Campbell?) the lines really don’t give the cast much to work
with. At the very least, it would be
good idea to switch the play order. You
would come away more satisfied. Spoke to
a couple up from St. Louis-they were raving about Arcadia.
Seven
and a half hours to kill.
Took
lunch at The Prince of Wales, but, in the Churchill Lounge this time. As mentioned, no smoked salmon on the menu in
the Drawing room so it was time to seek out something different. A wedding reception was in full swing in the
banquet room and tables were jammed save for the chess table so made straight
for it. Enjoying the music when one of
the guests approached the bar and asked for it to be turned off. Well that got my back up (thought he was
having a senior moment) until said guest sat down at his keyboard and opened his American Songbook. He was helped along with his drummer. Very mellow lunch hour jazz. Not sure it was appreciated by the staff,
though. It’s like Xmas carols in
November; clerks struggling to maintain sanity. That senior moment thing-something happens to seniors when the turn 80. I've seen it time and time again. They regress and get and get very demanding. True story.
Started
with scallop ceviche which was served with carrot, black bean and avocado; delicious.
Tricky to get avocado at just the right time; it can be rubbery or mushy
or turning brown before your eyes.
Followed the scallops with the charcuterie platter-pate, terrine, house
cured sausage and ham; came with house tomato sauce and pickled vegetable. Warning, the sausage is hot and yes, the
little green pickles have some heat. The
bread was soft, which makes a change from the usual stale, crispy slices most
places serve up. Sat across from the winner of the Patrick
Stewart look-alike contest. Good view of
the street.
A
couple came in for a quick pint. They had
wine tasting to get to and thought to get beer first to put something on their
stomachs. Historically, one would take a
little food before a tasting, but, if a belly full of ale is more your thing
then I’m not going to stop you. The
bartender was happy to have someone to talk to about local ales.
After
ingesting for a couple of hours, it was time to move on. After many years in NOTL, you no longer need to
browse the shops so walked down King Street and had a look at some of the older
properties. This gentleman was getting
some shade at Parliament Oak School.
This
old entrance is now a driveway to woodland.
A
quiet corner in a back garden.
Walked
through Butlers Barracks. Someone has destroyed
one of the historic plaques by taking a pen to all the soldiers’ heads. One day the culprit will find out it’s their
tax dollars that paid for plaques like this and they will be on a rant about
vandalism having conveniently forgotten about their little jaunt through the
park all those years ago. No benches in
sight so on to Victoria Park which was comfortably full. Avoid this space on National holidays,
though. Made great strides with The Emperor of Paris by CS
Richardson. A nice read; very Spartan writing
style.
The
kids got a tad rambunctious and took refuge in the graveyard of St. Marks. Quite a few visitors here today.
Time
for coffee and a study in contrast.
Always go with Balzac’s when in Stratford or Toronto; they seem to take their
coffee making seriously (have yet to try Kitchener or Liberty Village). Ordered the very same thing as last time and
was handed a plastic beaker filled with ice and mocha mix. I looked at in disgust and questioned the
server. What is this? Did you brew an espresso in the last 30
seconds? Where is the milk? The server
didn’t give a damn and looked at me like I’d just grown a second head. What a vile drink. I hate to say it but I think you’d be better
off at Starbucks when in NOTL.
Interestingly, Tim Hortons was turned down for a spot in town, but, they
let Balzac’s and Starbucks in. The patio
at The Queen’s Landing does a nice dessert and cappuccino. If all else fails, head there. Recommend the crème brulee.
Some
well planted frontages.
A
family tried to convince one of their number that the Public Washrooms are OK
but she would have none of it. I would agree with the family here. Having considered publication of “Where To
Pee In Ontario”, this would be one of the better spots. FYI.
The
Hanging Gardens of NOTL.
Time
for Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. This is an exquisite play and I cannot fault
it at all. It’s a mystery set in both the 1800’s
and modern day, it alternates back and forth and is crammed with references to
early English gardeners to Quantum physics and there is great line about
throwing physicists off a cliff but won’t spoil the punch line here. It ends beautifully; the music and lighting
are very nicely done. Would love to have
seen Bill Nighy in the UK version.
Did
you know they sell Preparation H at the gift shop? Oh, yes.
In fact they had a run on it because the front row seats at the Studio
Theatre are so damned uncomfortable you’re going to need it about a quarter of the
way through the show. (Just starting to
get all the feeling back in the buttocks and it’s now Friday.) Suffice to say,
pick anywhere but Row A. Bottom
line (excuse pun), a great show; wouldn’t want to see it at the Festival Theatre
as some have suggested. The studio is a
nice, intimate space.
Crawled
home; this is the QEW remember and construction has been ongoing for what, four
years now? Not sure if I’ll be around to
see it completed.
Until next time.
