Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - A short trip that may interest you—short, because gas is expensive—would be to drive to Londesborough. Where, you ask, is that! Well, we headed first through Grand Bend to visit some nurseries (“gotta get plants,” she said).
Heading up highway 21, we eventually crossed over to Clinton and up highway 4. In Londesborough, we stopped at two family-run venues. Natures Nest, turning slightly east off the highway, was our stop for bird seed. But they also have an array of outdoor fountains and fun garden adornments, such as the large birds with flapping wings and colourful bodies.
Crossing west we encountered Greyhaven Gardens. There we found a large nursery, and a store offering two-stories of gift items. The array of items offered is too much for this article. Just up the road in Blyth, visit the Old Mill for leather goods and don’t miss a lunch and a beverage at Cowbell.
From Greyhaven, though, we ventured further west and found Balls Bridge at 38199 Little Lakes Road, about 9 kilometers from Goderich. Said to be built in 1885 as a Maitland River crossing point, the bridge has been closed to vehicles since 2006, but you can walk out and sit to enjoy a great view of the river.
Rumour asserts a young Miss Ball had to cross the river to go to market in Goderich. During one trip to buy sugar, she was spotted by an engineer who was employed to supervise construction of the Goderich Bridge. The story continues, that they fell in love and he built the bridge so that she would be able to cross “without getting wet”.
A community group formed Friends of Ball’s Bridge and started a website, public meetings, petitions and fundraising. In 2007, the local council voted to invest $250,000 to rehabilitate the bridge, matched by Friends. Why not sit a bit on chairs provided and take in the great view of the river or have lunch in the picnic area at the bridge.
Though it isn’t seen from the bridge, the Bridge End Bunk House is said to be the original homestead and is now an Airbnb.
Along the way we saw a strange thing, or rather several things. Outside the Cowbell, and again at the bridge, we encountered large red chairs.
It’s all part of the Central Huron Giant Red Chair Tour. Nine oversized, handcrafted red Adirondack chairs are “scattered across hidden gems and scenic spots”. Should you visit all of them, be sure to take a picture of each and submit them onto the Central Huron Tourism page to earn a $50 local gift card.
A nice day’s event, it’s surprising what you’ll encounter just an hour or so from home.
