Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - It isn’t snowing—at least not when this was written. In fact, the snow was almost gone, skiing and other snow-related venues were closed, and grass appeared, albeit not the spring-like green preferred.
Where can you go at a time like this? How about London! No, the other one, the local one! It’s a short trip from most of our reader’s homes and offers plenty to keep you amused, if only for the day.
To start, The Covent Garden Market offers fresh food like meats, vegetables and breads, plus candles, jewelry, and assorted trinkets. Enjoy fresh coffee or tea from the shops specializing in such. Sit and enjoy a hot meal prepared fresh that day. Upstairs, the Spriet Family Theatre presents live plays bursting on stage all winter. Take the kids (or not) and see plays like Frozen or Les Misérables.
Or take them (the kids) and let them view plays geared for children aged 5-9. All the action is put on by the Original Kids Theatre Company, consisting of children aged 5 to 18.
Outside, weather permitting, the outdoor Rotary Rink is a popular winter attraction with activities like free public skating, fire pits, hot chocolate, and DJ nights during peak times like weekends and holidays. It’s generally open Monday-Saturday (11 AM - 7 PM) and Sundays (10 AM - 6 PM). Check the garden website for details.
Walk around Dundas, King and Queen Streets and visit the shops, eateries, and view historical buildings like the Middlesex County Building, the Goal right next to it, or Eldon House along Ridout Street. Or visit the art gallery.
Art is everywhere, as viewed inside Covent Gardens on the mezzanine level, or along walking paths. And don’t forget to look for the carved tree trunks all through downtown.
Artists hail from London, but also British Columbia, New Brunswick and South Africa. Some 95% of the carving is done with chainsaws and finishing work is accomplished with chisels and power rotary tools.
So, don’t just sit home complaining there is nothing to do. Make a day of it in the city and it’s guaranteed you will find the time well worth it and wonder where the time went.
