Memorial in Downtown London

HMCS Prevost Naval Base

I walked past HMCS Prevost last night and snapped a few shots of an impressive memorial to the Naval and Merchant Services who served during the Battle of the Atlantic. 

I once thought my father participated in the Merchant Navy but discovered in 2011-2012, while reading his hand-written notes, he volunteered for RCNVR and the Combined Operations organization. 

I wondered last night if a few Londoners signed up for RCNVR and Navy service (including Comb Ops.) at HMCS Prevost and if records exist for them? Lloyd Campbell, a Londoner and member of Combined Ops, died from wounds suffered at Dieppe in Aug. 1942 and may have volunteered at his local base over 70 years ago.

re Lloyd Campbell - Link to Passages: From Combined Operations for more information.

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B & W Downtown London

Under Kensington Bridge

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Nestful of Swallows

Under Kensington Bridge

Last night I pocketed a crummy camera, went for an evening walk to downtown London and spotted five swallows perched on the edge of a skilfully-crafted nest under a bridge.

 "One kid is already full, or else watching TV"

"Is that the shadow of their mother or

does my camera have X-ray vision?"

I will try to find the same spot this PM with a better camera. Based on their size, I don't think the wee guys will be badgering their Mum for food by the end of the week.

Link to Bird Watching

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Canada Day Game at Labatt Park

Everybody Wins!!

Great game. Great hot dogs. Great green atmosphere. And the osprey provides great entertainment between innings.

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Thumbs UP 1

Downtown London - Affordable Apartments

["Marvin Rivas buys Honest Lawyer, creates 30 more units"]

I often dream about living in a cozy apartment downtown. I feel I would then be very close to many very interesting amenities and the routine of walking to Oxford and Richmond for groceries a few times per week would be a reasonable form of necessary exercise. I like the dream and Marvin Rivas, owner of Che Restobar and the (former) Honest Lawyer, likes it too.

Above Che he established five geared-to-income units and above Honest Lawyer there will soon be thirty more. I might not ever move out of Old South because I already live in a pretty cool part of town and have my own workshop in the backyard, but I really like how Marvin thinks.

Affordable housing downtown creates a winning situation. Someday, thanks to folks like Marvin, our downtown will be a lovely, lively, hearty place, coveted and inhabited by folks from a variety of walks of life and income levels.

Thumbs UP, Marvin.

Article and photos from Jan. 15 issue of London Free Press

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My Afternoon Walk - Fences

Beyond the Fence

Don and I walked in an eastward direction yesterday, from Wortley Village to the corner of Grey and William St.. Then we turned south on William to begin the homeward half of our jaunt.

We are both pleased to see some remnants of Historic London saved for posterity but wondered how much has been buried because we are too busy with less-important matters?

Are we too busy to care? Too cheap to pay for restorations? Too focused on lifestyle?

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My Afternoon Walk - Near the Thames

Follow Me to The Forks

Don and I can walk to The Forks in 15 minutes from my front door and from there we go left or right, up or down numerous side streets or public paths before turning around to find a suitable route home. Our trek is usually just 60 - 90 minutes of good walking and conversation.

Good boots, good warm coats, good toques and gloves - the Canadian way to go during winter.

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Downtown London - HMCS Fraser

There are Two Frasers

From a bit of a search re HMCS Fraser I have learned there were two ships so named; one was sunk in 1940, another scrapped a few years ago. The armaments displayed at HMCS Prevost at The Fork of the Thames are from the second, and scrapped, Fraser aka DDH 233, a St. Laurent-class destroyer.

Link to Wikipedia to learn more.

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Photo 2 Wikipedia

Downtown London - Squirrel Bridge

Squirrel Bridge

Neighbour Dave Groppler nicknamed the bridge over River Thames at the foot of King Street about five years ago during a bicycle ride. Because there were several squirrels running amok on the bridge while he crossed, the name 'Squirrel Bridge' seemed appropriate. I never call it anything else now.

What do you call it? Does it have a proper name? If not, I say Squirrel Bridge should be its proper name. Dibs on the name!

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My Afternoon Walk - Downtown

Me and My Future Digs

 ["Sturdy shoes will carry me a thousand miles"]

Properly attired in sturdy shoes and several warm layers of plaid and denim (a very Canadian thing, eh), I walked downtown to pick up hockey tickets recently and saw - lo and behold - me and a future apartment for my wife and I. (Okay. That's if I can convince her. Not easy!)

["The Jail Birds: These downtown condos are small and cozy"]

["Ye Olde Courthouse: I've got my eye on the upstairs apartment w balcony"]

Getting into fun and fitness walks while living in Downtown London would be easy. I'd just walk to Wortley Village for coffee and groceries every second day. Every day if my wife hands me a list.

: )

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My Afternoon Walk - Short Cut Map

Prettier in Real Life

Like some people I know, East Woods Pond looks better in real life than in a photo.

 ["Look closely at upper right corner. Hawk?"]

How does one get to the pond in order to hug the oldest tree known to a few hearty Londoners?

First, you walk to Archies on Wharncliffe and Cove Rd. Then you walk west, down Cove Rd. hill and hang yerself a right. Keep on goin' now.

Q: re upper right corner of Top Photo. Is that a hawk in the next tree?

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My Afternoon Walk - Short Cut 2

The Old Tree

My walking mate hugged this old tree during a fun and fitness walk recently and said, "Hang in there, Buddy."

Though hollow, I believe the tree will hang in there for several more years and point the way along a lovely path - beside East Woods Pond - for explorers of all ages.

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My Afternoon Walk - Harris Park Path

Beside the Path

I predict my afternoon walk will take me through Harris Park again today and passed slow-moving ducks and 'Mate' Majdic memorial (near Blackfriars Bridge).

More about 'Mate' Majdic'

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My Morning Walk - Jailhouse 2

Solid Brick Work

Lovely sights to behold during a steady walk-about in downtown London with my walking mate, Don K.

Our final leg takes us along the Thames River path and into Wortley Village, another pair of London highlights. Much like Don and I! : )

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My Morning Walk - Jailhouse

From the Outside

The old jailhouse in London is a marvel. I'm glad developers haven't levelled it for condos.

I wanted to look inside an old jail cell so I jaywalked to catch the attention of a nearby police officer.

["Hey. I'm jaywalking here. Breaking the law, Copper!"]

The person was actually an off duty member of mall security so just shrugged.

Can we see inside the old cells? I'll check during my next 'fun and fitness' walk.

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Zoom w a View

Almost Got Wet

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My Morning Walk - Metal Thingees

Downtown London

After I picked up my Knights ticket last Friday afternoon(London 4, Guelph 1... yah!) I noticed a nice view. But I liked Walter Redinger's 'Cat Asleep on the TV' better.

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Artsy Fartsy 9

Xabis, 1974

One day in the late '60s or early '70s Walter Redinger looked into his toolbox of art ideas and saw Xabis. After his idea became a physical entity, the Government of Ontario purchased it.

["While looking into his toolbox Walter smiled,

or grimaced, depending on your perspective."]

Xabis installation can be found bolted into place on the north side of Downtown London's venerable Court House.

As well, relevant information about Walter Redinger can be found at The London Yodeller archive. E.g., Walter passed away six months ago.

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My Morning Walk - Froggy

Froggy Froggy Day

Scene on Ridout yesterday. I looked twice.

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