After hearing the Sandhill Cranes and seeing the Skunk Cabbage we headed north, up the sideroad towards home. We were on the 9th Line for a couple of concessions, a road which we rarely drive. It was an interesting sideroad to drive up, and we spotted both an old schoolhouse and a struggling rural church along the way.
Right off we drove along this beautiful row of Sugar Maples. I was surprised there were no sap buckets hanging from them.
The farm itself looked like a prosperous one, perhaps owned by a non-farmer. Who else would have a tennis court out in front of the barn?
This is the Temple Hill United Church, standing alone at a rural crossroads. I looked it up and discovered it's not really struggling at all; it seems to be a thriving small community with lots of children in attendance, a rarity in any church these days. The ladies of Temple Hill Church have a reputation as one of the best non-profit catering service around!
We also passed one of the larger old rural schoolhouses, probably with two classrooms. Like most others it's now a residence.
Then it was down over my favourite viewpoint where the 7th Line crosses the Niagara Excarpment.
Past one of many old barns, this one apparently unused.
Finally up over 'Minniehill' and another view, very similar to the one above. The bluff in the distance is a mid-level layer of the escarpment, on top of which sits the Meaford army base.
Nice set of photos.
ReplyDeleteI too wonder why those maple trees are not being tapped. And the tennis court might tell the story of why: these are not local farmers. Love the old schoolhouse, thinking of living in a place with a bell tower. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. The church and the old schoolhouse against the blue blue sky look amazing.
ReplyDeleteI know of one concession near us where there are numerous well kept farms. Except the people who live there don't do the actual farming, my friend's husband does. My friends own a small heritage farm of their own where they keep their livestock, but all the cropping is done on these rented fields. I think a lot of that is going on.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about the coal shoot. I never thought of it but I remember we had one when I was very young and our dog would go crazy in the basement when the coal was coming in. I haven't thought of that in years.
ReplyDeleteLove the old church which is still a church!
Tennis court!!!
ReplyDeleteI like seeing the old buildings repurposed.
A refreshing drive through the countryside is always good for what ails one.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting architecture on that church, especially the open belfry/steeple; that it's thriving is a surprise.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. There can't be many tennis-playing farmers! My late mother's church always had increased attendance when tea and cakes were on offer after the service.
ReplyDeleteNice tour, and it is also nice to see the escarpment.
ReplyDeleteI want to drive over the roads into the distance.
ReplyDeleteNice drive and great photos. Off the highway on the way to my brother's is the home and grounds of a non-farmer. The house is so big we honestly thought it might be a hotel when the building first started. Since then they've added a nine hole golf course, a huge pond area, plus a more standard sized house for the groundskeeper. Oh, rumours have it they have a bowling lane in their basement.
ReplyDeleteTake care, stay well!
A nice looking church and nice to hear it is thriving.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery.
Always like seeing that long road stretching out in the distance. I always want to walk it.
What a pleasant, scenic drive. I like the old temple and the pretty brick it is made from!
ReplyDeleteYour photos of church and old school are wonderful. The school structure reminds me of some of the fancier building we had during country or county schools.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice drive!
ReplyDeleteThe last shot is my favourite.
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