We continued our afternoon drive, after passing those high-density apple orchards 3 weeks ago now, and I caught what photos I could to keep you amused. I'm sure you've seen some of these views before, but equally I know you don't mind the repetition, so enjoy.
We headed west past the Beaver River first.
A few trees were looking like spring; the bright green here were probably flowers rather than leaves, just like the two Norway Maples here at home.
There's one more orchard as you go up the hill out of the valley, traditional style but well pruned. This location half-way up the long hill is probably good for cold air drainage, but the soil isn't as good as the sandy glacial deposits down on the flat land where high-density orchards have been put in.
Over the crest of the hill we passed what we call the 'ugly house', completely white and totally out of place in a rural farm landscape.
Further along is this striking house, a bit too modern for my taste, but with a spectacular view. I don't like black houses, but at least this doesn't stand out like a white one would!
Sorry for the car mirror protruding into the photo, but this is a Black Locust fencerow. With their thorny branches these were recommended as fencerows decades ago and there are still a few of them around.
And this is a poor picture of a brand new fencerow, recently planted with evergreens.
And an older fencerow that I've watched since it was planted about 20 years ago. This one is specifically designed as a snow fence along one if the worst winter stretches of Grey Road 7, high on top of the escarpment.
Soon it was over the hill and down into Meaford, a hazy view of the bay greeting us.
It's been seed planting day here. Mrs. F.G has been outside much of the morning planting beans, and cucumbers in our new veggie bed. Here's hoping we'll get a good crop. There's already a thin row of tiny arugula leaves showing up in one of the planters out back.
Hope you get some great weather for the garden and for your excursions, FG.
ReplyDeleteI rather like the black house. It is much nicer than the white one.
ReplyDeleteMy dad would cut up locust trees and make posts from them. For some reason we would then build a fence alternating a metal post and a locust post. I could barely drive a staple into that post. That was probably sixty years ago. The white house looks like someone designed their own house and didn't remember form follows function.
ReplyDeleteThe ugly house is an apt name for it.
ReplyDeletethat white house certainly is ugly. Unfortunately, there's a very similar one a few miles from here -- complete with pillars. That black house isn't much better. Here black locust was planted as a source of rot-resistant fenceposts; it's a beautiful wood, but very, very hard when it's dry.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite the white house...I don't like it much either although indoors might be nice. Te evergreen fence looks ncie. Since my daughter is back home with us, she has bought some veggie starts. Most are in pots. We have trouble growing tomatoes but the pear shaped tomatoes grow the best. I need to plant some seeds soon for snapdragon flowers. I planted a small garden a few years ago but a couple years later I quit doing it. Too much to do while working. Still busy days now that I have retired. My husband wants to get rid of it if I don't use it any more. Will see!! Take care and have a rest of your week!!
ReplyDeleteA black, and a white, where is the in-between grey:? Love the fence rows, the shelter belts as we called them down here, my Dad had barberry hedges and pine trees for shelter, for his herd of milking cows. All your photos are showing signs of greenery spring up, and vege seeds, so exciting to think you are in spring. Is the soil warm enough to sit on, bare bottomed? That was what I read many years ago from an ancient gardener.!!!! If you can tolerate it, and the temperature is right, plant your seeds and see the veges grow.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the White house either - it looks pretentious for a farm home. The windows in the black one are nice but like you, it's a bit modern for my taste.
ReplyDeleteFor several years when I was a teenager, my Dad got trees from the PFRA nursery (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration), which we then planted as a shelter belt. Not only did we plant them, but we also weeded them for a few years to ensure they didn't get overtaken by weeds. My brother and I were back in 2019 for a cousin's funeral and drove past the farm. Those shelter belts are huge now! I guess that's what happens in almost 50 years.
Yes, you certainly do have some weird architecture up your way. I don't care for that big Mossmagator of a white house either.
ReplyDeleteOnm Flickr there is a bit of a fence Friday theme, and we often comment with HFF when some posts a fence pic. So, I wish you HFF -- Happy Fence Friday.
ReplyDeleteDare to be different, I say! Unlike the rest of your readers, I like the white house.........NOT for me but I would love to explore it and see what is in the small attachment and the crow's nest. I'm partial to verandahs and that one has a few. Sorry! The black one only appeals because of the windows but can you imagine keeping those clean!!??
ReplyDeleteLovely drive for sure, love the picture heading down into Meaford. :)
I don't like the black house, as the windows would make me afraid.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great outing. Thanks for sharing it!
I always enjoy your posts, and that view coming over the hill is always enjoyable. Thanks for the neighborhood tour. I like that black house and all those windows!
ReplyDelete