Stratford Ontario is a small city on the Avon River, population approximately 33,000, about a two hour drive west of Toronto. I pass through Stratford frequently, but this weekend I had the opportunity to go and stay for a couple of days over the Canada Day weekend.
Stratford was settled by English, Irish, Scottish and German immigrants, in almost equal numbers, starting in the 1820s but primarily in the 1830s and 1840s. Most became farmers, and even today the area around Stratford is known for mixed farming, dairying and hog production.
The town and river were named after Stratford-upon-Avon in England and the swan has become a symbol of the city which is known for the Stratford Festival which performs Shakespearean plays and other genres from May to October.
A garden with a lovely display of water lilies - so many different colours!
A tree full of blossoms!
A family of Stratford’s legendary swans - Mummy, Daddy and 5 signets
Some lovely great blue herons on the Avon River.
Great blue herons’ size (up to 4.5 feet) and wide wingspan (6.5 feet) make them a joy to see in flight.
This family dock is known as the ‘Just Sing’ dock. It started in 2020 as a place for performers to sing and bring happiness to the community. “Dock Music” has continued since then, every Sunday from June to August.
An outstanding Canadian scientist, Sir John Cunningham McLennan (1867-1935) moved to this house in 1883. McLennan was instrumental in founding the National Research Council and he is most noted for his work on the magnetic detection of submarines, the use of radium in the treatment of cancer, his explanation of the yellow-green light in the spectrum of the aurora borealis, and his success in liquefying helium. He was knighted in 1935.
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