Parkwood Miscellanea

I have a few more interesting features to point out about Parkwood before we return to our current winter storm here in Meaford, so here they are.

The architecture of the building is itself impressive.  This is the view from the back; the main entrance comes in on the second level under all that slanted glass; the cafeteria is on the bottom floor.
   

Plants line the railing in the large entrance lobby, looking down over the cafeteria.  Rain brings interesting patterns of droplets running down the glass.

Outside, a new feature I found a few days before leaving, is this labyrinth, just the right size to drive through in a wheelchair (which I did).  Labyrinths date back to the Greek era, and are interpreted as having significant spiritual significance.  The one in Chartres Cathedral is perhaps best known of the medieval labyrinths.  There has been a revival of labyrinths in the past two centuries, in which pilgrims walk slowly around the path while meditating.  I don't know if you've encountered these, but personally I find them fascinating.

And how about a pair of fat tropical fish in a big aquarium?  Parrot cichlids perhaps?

Notice the little red dot in the sky?

This is one of Ontario's 'Ornge' medical helicopters.  Run by a non-profit corporation, the Ornge air ambulance service reflects the large size of Ontario, especially the widely spaced aboriginal communities, not often served by roads.  It also reflects the increasing specialization of large hospitals in the large cities of southern Ontario.  Rather than spread the facilities we bring patients to a central location.

Parkwood does not have a landing pad, but we experienced one of these taking off from the pad in front of University Hospital.  Dust and noise in all directions!  Ontario was the first Canadian province to introduce an air ambulance service.

Finally, this pair of blogging friends dropped in to see me when they were in London.  I still can't get over their kindness.  During the summer months they live about half an hour south of us.  During the winter months they pull their big fifth wheel to Arizona to escape the snow.  Patty writes 'Chillin' with Patsy'.