Sunday, January 10, 2016

Every Path Tells

A walk is only a step away from a story, and every path tells.
~ Robert Macfarlane

It's time for another walk through the streets of Peterborough. Actually, these images are from various walks.

We've had a bit of snow (since these photos were taken) and a rather short-lived but very cold snap. But for the most part, our weather hasn't been all that winterish. I know there's probably more to come (right now, in fact) - it is only January after all, and this is Canada. But each passing day brings us closer to spring and that makes for a shorter winter season, which is fine with me. Enjoy the cool air – bring something to imbibe and come join me.

liftlock5
This dual lift lock (Lock 21) is situated on the Trent Canal, of the Trent-Severn Waterway.





liftlock3
It opened for operation in 1904 and is the highest (19.8 m or 65 ft) hydraulic boat lift in the world.





liftlock
When it becomes cold enough, the canal below will be open for skating.





CP Peterborough
Back in the spring, this lovely train emerged from the tunnel under the bridge, on which I was standing.





rainbow celebrations
Shortly after it was announced that same sex marriage was legally embraced throughout the U.S., these flags began appearing on many city streets in Peterborough as a show of support for our neighbours to the south.





fluffs
These tall, waving stalks of fluff (yes, I know they have a name but I just don't know what it is) were beckoning me to snap a sunlit photo of them. They seemed to sparkle with the sun behind them but I didn't manage to capture that effect very well. Regardless of that, they're still pretty.





cemetary
There are some beautiful and peaceful walking paths at Little Lake Cemetery. The walkways weave throughout the hillside, toward and away from the lake, and offer up a different views at varying levels. I spent a couple of hours walking the area, one November day.





a part of living
And here's a different view of Little Lake from further along its shoreline.





colourful collection
This colourful porch collection, warming in the sun, caught my eye and before I knew it, I was trespassing in order to snap a couple of shots.





cat and mouse2
You know how dearly I love cats. I'm just not fond of all of their habits. My friend, Carol Anne and I were walking (back from the lift locks, I think) when we spotted a couple of felines which appeared to be checking each other out. Upon closer inspection, Carol Anne noticed that they weren't interested in each other but rather in a small deer mouse which was having a difficult time trying to escape their curiosity and their paws.





cat and mouse
The little guy was injured, and truth be told, I don't think he was going to survive - but you never know. And at least, he didn't need to be subjected to further terror and torture. Carol Anne was wearing leather gloves and was able to scoop him up and relocate him to a sheltered spot a few houses down. I hope he managed to make it. Take care, little guy!





porch decoration
A jazzy decoration outside a house. Solar lights, wind chimes and multicoloured dangles.





left for junk
While out walking when she came to visit me on the Labour Day weekend, my beautiful niece, Jaime and I saw this lovely antique sitting in the lane beside a shop. Come back for another visit soon, Jaime!





mallard yoga
A graceful stretch of the mallard variety.





stone steps
Just a few steps which take you away from the shore of Little Lake, toward Del Crary Park. Or the reverse – depending on your perspective.





spindle berries
Spindle berries on somebody's front lawn still looking pretty fresh in mid-November.





tiara
Hanging on a handrail at a neighbourhood house, some little princess' tiara.

And that's it for today. I hope you enjoyed our walk – and your potable. More photos coming up before too much longer.

49 comments:

The Furry Gnome said...

A wonderful bunch of photos today.

Marie Smith said...

Great walk. I especially loved the kindness to the mouse. He was a goner if left with the cats.

Jackie said...

Enjoyed the walk with you.....
(Always do!)

TexWisGirl said...

my connection once again fails me on your blog. some photos load, some only load 1/2, others not at all. *sigh* still, what i saw was good. even the poor mousy...

joeh said...

Such an interesting area. Love the idea of skating along that canal.

Red said...

I often think about your pointer on photographing...take a walk. This walk had a colorful variety.

Unknown said...

You never know what you'll find during a walk like this. So many fascinating images from porches to Cats! Very warm and enjoyable, Hilary.

Linda said...

Beautiful shots! You have a great sense of color and I love that mallard!

Mandy said...

I love joining people on their walks, these are my favourite types of posts! That hydraulic lift is really impressive and I like that you got some good angles and photos of it. I try to fit big structures into my whole frame and my photos suffer for it!

I thought you definitely captured the sparkle behind the fluffy things!

Tabor said...

Your new world is full of interesting opportunities for photos and you certainly have the eye! Those locks are impressive. The engineering takes my breathe away.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Oh man, all that bright sunshine :)

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Loved your shots...quite a collection

sage said...

Beautiful photos--I love the waterfront and the train emerging from the tunnel

Out on the prairie said...

Some really nice shots to share.

DJan said...

I loved all of these pictures, but the porch decoration and the shiny tiara are favorites. Your photographs always carry such a serene feeling to them, I feel better after gazing at them. :-)

messymimi said...

A lovely walk, and while i know cats have to eat, i am always sorry for the critters caught, too.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

A wonderful walk-about, thanks for sharing!

Catherine said...

So different to your lakeside life. Hope you are settling into your new town Hilary.

yaya said...

Beautiful walk! We've had a mild winter so far...until yesterday that is! It was blowing and snowing all day and the temps have fallen. But hey, I'm happy it's held off this long. I've enjoyed the mild for a change. Your cemetery walk made me smile. I take Chubbs and we walk the cemetery whenever we can. It's a nice quiet and beautiful spot with nice paved paths and slow moving cars. I'm glad you found my tiara! I knew I left it somewhere!

Anvilcloud said...

Always pleasant to take a stroll with you, particularly to a place that I am a little familiar with. You captured to lift lock well, especially in that first photo. Excellent POV.

Kaye Waller said...

Wherever you go and your camera go, Hilary, you always see interesting things where most of us see nothing at all. (And thank you for rescuing the little mouse.)

Linda said...

Beautiful as usual. Particularly enjoyed the locks. Very interesting structures and different from others I've seen.

William Kendall said...

Quite a stretch by that mallard. I've done the same on occasion, stepping in to save a mouse from a cat.

ellen abbott said...

thanks for the stroll. love seeing things through your eyes.

ADRIAN said...

A good walk today and made better by your requiring leather gloves to pick up a mouse. They must be fearsome creatures those Canadian Mice.

Linda said...

We love visiting the lift locks, took the boat cruise one summer so we could ride up and down the locks :)

Barb said...

Hi Hilary, Those canal shots have such depth! Love that dusty old organ. Poor Mousie!

Karen said...

Peterborough is def. a city made for walking, biking, et. al. The old rail beds have been put to good use. The train still runs past my sisters apartment building in E.City. It sounds so foreign to me now.:(
I haven't been able to get down for my midwinter visit due to a knee injury, but springs a'comin!

Rita said...

I think they call that pampas grass here, but I am not positive. You did seems to catch the sparkles in the light. And so many other interesting things!! Lovely walk photos. :)

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Hilary, you always manage to capture the delightful and unexpected on your walks. I'm so glad you take your camera with you and equally happy that you share the results with us!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

What a great set of photos, Hilary! I love the composition of that first one from the locks. Other favorites are the fluffy stalks backlit by the sun, and the lovely tiara. But they're all wonderful.

Wendy said...

Thanks for taking us with you on your walk! That lift lock is impressive!
We're also having a mild winter and no ice on our lakes! The ice fishermen are not happy! (who cares? I don't).

I don't know the name of those white, plumy plants either, but they look lovely sweeping the air. I can understand your frustration and not capturing the sun sparkles. I've tried and tried with different shots too, but seems that the sun cannot be captured. :-(

Hugs

Daryl said...

i think they are called 'ornamental grass' ... hooray for Carol Ann and her save of that little critter... feral cats = bad cats thanks for the walk i needed some fresh air

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the walk! Even though that little mouse is the kind that decided to move into our house and my car, I'm still glad y'all noticed it and rescued it from the cats!

photowannabe said...

Thank you for another trip around your beautiful neighborhood. You capture such beauty in the common place.
Happy that little mouse was given a second chance.

Kerry said...

How lovely to see Peterborough with you. You've got a lot going on there! That boat lift is amazing, and probably still in use?

Thank you for giving the mouse a second chance.

Indrani said...

Each picture is different and amazing! It is always hard to choose a fav among your pics. :)
Happy new year to you!

Becca said...

I love those multi colored dangles! I think those would help make a house cheery! :)

ToBlog today said...

Lovely pictures. I have not been to Peterborough in ages, so it was nice to see it though your eyes. We had tons of snow in the last week in Ottawa and it looks so beautiful, but can't wait for Spring.

Suldog said...

You have the most amazing eye for detail and for framing shots. Wonderful. By the way, if no one else noticed, I did: thanks for crossing out the u :-)

Linette said...

Wonderful photos and phlog I really enjoyed your walk, thanks for sharing Hilary. =0)

Phyllis E said...

You find the most amazing things on your walks, Cuz. Thanks for sharing them with all of us.

Anonymous said...

A lovely walk!

EG CameraGirl said...

Loved this tour. This is Peterborough as I have never seen it before!

A Cuban In London said...

What lovely photos! :-)

Greetings from London.

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful to take a stroll with you.

Mage said...

Last but not least here and semi recovered from my bronchitis, I thank you for seeing so well. The mousse, the sea chest, the details every where. Thanks so much for the walk.

Lisa said...

I love the stalks and that little princess must be so mad. Great photos and walk.

Jenn Jilks said...

I'm glad you shared these! Happy you have a good friend, too!