Over the last while I’ve been visiting some nearby lakes. As it happens, there is a string of them running west between the town of Ayr and the Grand River. As usual, I took notes: Grass Lake is aptly named, as it’s rather hard to … Read More →
Monthly Archives: July 2006
Dahomey No More
Some unusual postmarks on a few recently found stamps suggest an interesting history; while the stamps are postmarked with the name “Repulique Populaire du Benin,†a close examination of the heavy stroke of black ink reveals the original country of issue: “Republique du Dahomey.†… Read More →
Swamp Combing
It just so happens that somewhere along Beke Road (just off Spragues) there’s a bit of a swamp. While looking it over the other day, I noticed a strange collection of wooden contraptions laying around — could be some kind of milling or farming gear, … Read More →
Philately after the Age of Exploration
I’m sure that if Marco Polo could have collected stamps, he would have. Of course, the first postage stamps were in developed in the 1830s, 500 years after Mr. Polo’s time. But let us consider the man, and his kind; how might we describe the … Read More →
Cowan’s Lake
Recently, I’ve been looking over a fishing guide to the Grand River. The accompanying maps are wonderfully out of date (ie. The Lake Erie & Northern rail line that has been turned into the Cambridge-Paris Rail Trail is still indicated as being active), and list … Read More →
Oxford Mills
Is a little village by a bend of Kemptville creek. There’s not much there, really: the general store & post office, public school, and a fancy restaurant (the Brigadoon). Seems to me that the establishment is known as much for its tolerance of smoking as … Read More →
James Cook!
This 1978 issue commemorates the 200th anniversary of James Cook’s arrival to Canada’s western coast. Interestingly, Captain Cook’s visit was something of an accident; his intended purpose was to find Pacific entry to the Northwest Passage, but inclement weather forced him ashore earlier than he … Read More →