Must See And Do Things While Visiting London Ontario

By on March 3, 2013 in Entertainment, Food & Drink, Nature, Retail Therapy, Sports, Tips, Travel

Welcome to London, Ontario – your perfect destination for a fun and relaxing time! In this welcome post,I hope to introduce  you to some the many delights that London has to offer.

(If you’re interested who I am and how this blog started you can read the full story here)

For those who are interested in the detailed history of London, Soutwestern Ontario, Canada, you’ll get a great lesson by heading over to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ontario

OK. Buckle your seats belts and let’s get to work…

Top London Attractions to Visit:

The best part of any vacation is the excitement that arises with the thought of visiting a new place. If you are on your first visit to London Ontario Canada, then you should be riding high on this excitement. The fantastic thing about London is that it has attractions all year round.

So no matter the time of the year you make a trip here, you’re bound to find something that will draw your interests. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lover of history, sports, nature or just taking a family vacation – ’cause (as my cousin Bob would say..”you’re bound to  find something that floats your boat.”

Lake Whittaker

If you are attracted by nature, then you will not miss an opportunity to do so. You can enjoy an up close experience with nature at the Lake Whittaker Conservation area. Here you can camp out and enjoy an exclusive experience that only nature can give.

Skah-Nah-Doht Iroquoian Museum

The city of London also offers a piece of history with a variety of museums available. For a special experience, visit Skah-Nah-Doht Iroquoian Village and Museum which has a replica of an Indian village. You get to have a firsthand taste of how life was in 10th-12th Century Indian village.

Bark in the Park Festival

Festivals and other cultural events are some of the activities you will find taking place in the city. A good thing about these festivals is the fact that they are not only fun but help raise funds for one cause or another. One such annual festival is the Bark in the Park Festival that celebrates people and their pets.

Adventures in Wonderland

When you want to offer your children excitement then a day at the Adventures in Wonderland is just it. This is a children recreational facility  that offers activities such as water games, karaoke and other fun activities that resonate well with the kids.Well they do with ours!

The Labatt Brewery

A trip to London Ontario  is not complete without sampling culinary and other delights to the palate. A visit to Farmers Markets and fairs that can be found in the city is one way of doing this. The other way is to pay a visit to wineries such as the Labatt Brewery for a lesson in wine making and sampling the delicious wine.

Lakewood Spa

We’re known for our spas. All vacations call for some form of relaxing and when visiting at London, this is not an exception. A visit to a spa will not only relax you but rejuvenate you enough to want to try your hand at a new activity. Lakewood Spa is sure to make your trip worthwhile.

Ice Skating

Speaking of family activities, winter at London, Canada is a spectacular time of the year. The snow does not keep you indoors but it will have you skiing down slopes in no time. More so, you do not want to miss out on the Ice Skating Championships that are held in the city.

Market Crafts Inc

Most most people, my wife included, shopping tops the list of things to do here. When looking for authentic Canadian handicrafts, Market Crafts Inc. is where you will find them. This oldest handicraft shop stocks handmade gifts that are of good quality and mementos of your trip to London.

Of course we also have top brand name stores for those of you who are really serious about your retail therapy!

The Grand Theatre

London has a number of theatres and you will therefore not have shortage of plays to enjoy. The Grand Theatre is one of the oldest in the city having been in existence since 1901. To date it has hosted a good number of productions and continues to uphold the tradition of supporting performing arts. Its regular season normally runs from September to May.

A visit to London Ontario ,Canada is bound to be full of fun and adventure. This sneak peek of what is on offer does not really do justice. So over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be exploring these and other attractions in more detail. Your suggestions of course are welcome. You can get hold of me via the contact form.

Comments { 0 }

London is the Place for Festivals and Fun

By on June 10, 2013 in Culture, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Kids

London Festivals and FunFor anyone who is not familiar with London, it might be surprising to find out just how many different festivals and events are put on each year. There are quite a few coming up soon, and plenty to looking forward to, including the Victoria Park Kids Expo on June 14-16. I’ll definitely be taking the kids to this one as Sarah and Raymond are always looking for interesting things to do and they have a lot of energy to burn.

However, there are plenty of festivals and events coming up for the adults as well, and hopefully Sarah will let me go to the London Beer and BBQ Show. Sounds like a dream come true doesn’t it? I don’t know about you, but if I was going to pick two things to combine to make a show out of, it would probably be beer and barbecue. The show is on at the Western Fair District Agriplex Building on the 21st and 22nd of June, and actually, I will definitely be there.

Speaking of barbecue, did I ever mention that we Londoners are pretty keen on ribs? So much so in fact that there are three different Ribfest events coming up in the next three months. Okay, I guess going to all three would be a bit much, but after I have got over my indulgence at the Beer and BBQ Show, perhaps I could take it at least one of them in.

There was even one time when I tried to put on my own little festival of sorts myself. All I wanted to do was put on a little street market where local food producers and craftspeople could sell their stuff. I thought it was a really good idea at the time, although in retrospect I probably decided to do it on a bit of a whim. Anyway, I ended up with about six stalls and probably about as many people who came! Of course, this was about 20 years ago and before the days of e-mail. Back then commercial mailboxes were the only way of receiving a large amount of mail, and I had visions of hiring one for all the enquiries and letters of thanks I would receive! Maybe next time.

All right, let’s get a bit more cultural now; on June 15 there is the Fanshawe Dragon Boat Festival. Sarah and I went to this event last year, and even though we didn’t really know what to expect, it turned out to be a whole lot of fun and very interesting. As well as the beautiful dragon boats on the river, there are also plenty of vendors and stalls selling fantastic Asian cuisine.

Speaking of food, the International Food Festival will be on in Victoria Park towards the end of the month. This is another one we have been to before, and a great treat for the whole family. Come to think of it, perhaps London isn’t so much about festivals as it is about eating!

Comments { 0 }

Sarah’s Central America Travel Assignment

By on June 9, 2013 in News

Sarah Comes Through Yet Again!

My daughter Sarah has come up with another great idea for the site. I was helping her with her home work yesterday evening and she designed a poster about Central America Travel and asked me to help her do a more professional version. A quick search on Google and we came across some fantastic online do-in-yourself options; signed up and got to work.

Any way, below is what we came up with. Not bad for a first try right?

Travel-in-Central-America

She says inforgraphics as they have come to be known are really the way forward, so as the boss has spoken you’ll be seeing a lot more of them here.

An added bonus from helping her with her homework  is that I really want to do a tour of Central America myself now! Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have the whole family see the Mayan ruins and do the Panama canal tour?

I’d say so.

Comments { 0 }

Business is booming in London, Ontario!

By on June 9, 2013 in Business

London Ontario BusinessOne of the things I love about this city is that it’s a great place to open a business or base your company. The economy has been very strong here for as long as I can remember and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.

Everyone knows about the many medical research, insurance and IT companies that dominate the city economy, but there are lots of famous companies that were either established here or have their headquarters in the city. The first Carling and Labatt breweries were established here and continue to thrive (always a great reason to support the local economy!), whilst Kellogg’s, 3M and General Motors all have a healthy presence.

While I was running an errand dumping some junk at the local recycling plant, I heard about an interesting new business that may be setting up here. The guy helping me out at the plant told me that there’s a company in Florida of all places called The Clunker Junker which is looking to start trading in Canada and London is their first choice destination. I can’t say I’m really surprised because there is a great availability of skills and willing workers in this city; we Londoners aren’t afraid of getting our hands dirty!

Anyway, this company specializes in taking away your old car once it’s run its final race and will give you cash in return. This has made them the first choice for junk car removal in Miami and I really can’t think of another company around here that does that. Heaven knows I’ve had some terrible cars in the past; so bad that once you know it’s not worth throwing any more money at it, you’ve got no chance of selling it. I’ve even had to pay someone to take an old car away before!

So The Clunker Junker might be setting up here and I think it’s a great idea. I remember my old Grandpa saying ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’. I had no idea what he was talking about back then but I guess now I do. He was London born and bred and would love to see what a great city London has become over the last few years.

Sometimes I wonder if it would be best to skip owning a car altogether and just use the city’s public transport. Unfortunately, as most residents will tell you, that’s not really an option until it gets better. Sure, there’s a bus network but it’s hardly extensive. I’ve often heard about high speed rail lines and other services being built but for now I guess I’m just going to have to settle for getting stuck in traffic on the darn Guy Lombardo Bridge sometimes.

So anyway, it’s good to see another company perhaps coming to the city. London certainly has a lot going for it and the economy is right up there. Of course, I wouldn’t be against another brewery being set up here either!

Comments { 0 }

Car Insurance – Make Sure You’re Covered

By on June 8, 2013 in Travel

London Car InsuranceThe way that insurance works with rental cars is that you’re normally opted in to buy the rental cares insurance when you agree to hire the vehicle. So if you need to hire a car while visiting London,Ontario, you’ll probably be covered.  BUT it’s your responsibility to check!

If your stay is longer, perhaps you’ve just relocated due to work, and you need  more permanent options regarding your car needs and hence insurance, what are your options?

Buying Car Insurance in London,Ontario

Compare Price AND Service

When shopping for car insurance, price is always a very important factor. But you’d be a fool to rely on price alone – no offense intended. Your car insurance is not something to be taken lightly. As my wife, gran always says to her..” Wendy, you should know that we always get what we pay for and there is no such thing as a free lunch!”. So buyer beware!

Online Comparison Sites

Use a comparison site such as Kanetix. This will save you a lot of time. And these sites normally have a feature where you can save your quotes and come back to them at a later date and time. Plus changing the features you require is also a breeze. But be mindful that not all insurers are available on these sites. Some even advertise that they are only available direct – thus saving you money.

How Insurance Rates are Set

Generally the price or premium you pay depends on your car, you and your insurance company. The latter will be dealt with in more detail below.

Your Car:

It’s common knowledge that the majority of insurance companies set their rates on the actual claim experience of  the make and model of your car. For an example, a powerful sports car will generally cost a lot more to insure that a small family car. So the more expensive your car is, the higher your premiums will be.

Your Driving Experience and Record:

Other things being equal, if I drove the same car as my friend Robert, he would pay more in premiums that I would. That’s because he’s a terrible driver and is prone to accidents! Enough said? Basically the insurance companies take into account factors such as how long you’ve had your license; your driving convictions; whether you’ve have taken any advice driving training; and your accident and claims record.

Where You Live:

I know from experience that this can have major effect on your premiums. Apparently, living in London, Ontario carries a saving of  few hundred dollars a year on average than if you lived in Toronto.  That’s because car insurance premiums are generally higher in larger cities or built up areas – more cars, more crime and more car accidents.

Choosing Your Insurance Company:

There are many insurance companies that you can choose from, but let your choice be guided by these factors.

• That the company has a good reputation for paying on claims. There are some insurance companies that take a long time to pay claims.  It is sometimes better to go with (a more expensive) insurance company that is prompt to settle than a cheaper one that has a problem paying on claims. You can search online and check for  reviews. After all, having insurance is really about peace of mind.

• Choose a company that offers more than just insurance. You may get roadside assistance, a car to drive while yours is in the shop. There are some insurance companies that even give rebates if you have been with them long enough. The more the extras, the better the deal. Make sure to look at what you are getting though so you’re not paying for unnecessary cover.

•  Find a company that is willing to work with your insurance needs to reduce your premiums. If you have safety features for example, they should be able to reduce your premiums because it means that your car has less of a chance of being stolen.  Another example is that if you park in a garage overnight, you should get cheaper premiums.

Good luck with your journey in finding the right car insurance company for you.

And by the way, the same advice would probably be applicable if like my cousin Jim you were to up-stick and move to British Columbia and thus require information on BC car insurance quotes.

 

Comments { 0 }

Finding and Using Quality Contractors in London

By on June 8, 2013 in Tips

Finding a Contractor in LondonThe idea for this post came about from a very unsavory experience with a so-called handy man we had hired to replace the sliding door hardware on the doors at the back of the house. A simple job – or so I thought.

It resulted in not having a secure home for nearly 3 days. Not good!

After I had calmed down, it dawned on me that it was all my fault. Let me explain….I had no clue as to what I was doing. I put all my faith in some body I had never met before simply because he said he could do the job. BIG MISTAKE.

I now realise that was MY responsibility to make sure that the job went smoothly. After all it’s my home and my money!

So if your stay in London is a little  more permanent, here are some steps I’ll be taking  in the future when finding and using quality contractors and tradesmen. Notice I said quality and not cheap. That may give you a clue as to the main cause of my problems – which we won’t talk about anymore!

And by the way, if you opt to do it yourself, you better know what your doing. These are rarely times for experimentation.

Getting good results will depend on your priorities.  It is important to find a contractor who can do a good job for you and at a reasonable price.  So here are some tips that can get you started:

  • Get an insured, licensed contractor: It is important to work with someone or a company that is licensed.  A license is proof that the contractor is qualified to handle the job that is in question.  If you want to find out if a contractor in Ontario is licensed, you just have to consult the state licensing board and look up their records. On the other hand, insurance is an important aspect to consider as well.  Insurance serves to protect the people who will be working in your premises.  This is to make sure that, if someone was to get injured while on job, you will not have to take responsibility.
  • Reviews and referrals: Before you can even think of other resources to use in searching for contractors, it is important to ask your family and friends if they know of anyone you can hire.  In fact, in many instances, good contractors are normally found through word of mouth. MAKE SURE YOU ASK PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.  Just like in the first case, you still have to ensure that the referrals are licensed. If you cannot get any referrals, some online reviews on local contractors might be a great help for you.
  • Interview the candidates: Once you have completed the task of finding the contractors, it is that time you got to know more about them.  There are certain key questions that you would have to ask them to ascertain whether they are really up to the task.  For instance, you might want to ask them about how long they have been doing the job, how they intend to work on the project you are assigning them, whether their company carries liability insurance, and how many projects that are related to yours they have worked on before. The answers that you get to these questions should give you a general feel for the contractor. I find that I  can learn a lot about a person  just having a casual chat.

Of course how detailed or lengthy this process is depends on your knowledge of the situation facing you and/or the complexity and cost of the job.

Good luck!

Comments { 0 }

London’s History of Boozing

By on May 16, 2013 in Culture, Entertainment, Food & Drink

Carling Yorkshire AleWe’ve had some articles for the kids, now here’s one that’s strictly for the grown-ups!

There are some great links between booze and London and while I wouldn’t want you to go away with the idea that we are all big drinkers here, we are nevertheless really proud of our heritage.

Think Dublin and you think Guinness. Think London Ontario and you immediately think of Carling and Labatt.

Thomas Carling, a farmer from Yorkshire, and his family settled in   London, Ontario in 1818. He brewed an ale for his own consumption which soon became so popular that he soon took up brewing full-time.

The first Carling brewery had two kettles, a horse to turn the grinding mill and six men to work on the mash tubs. In the London of those days, that was quite a big operation! Thomas Carling sold his beer on the streets of London, Ontario from a wheelbarrow. The business grew fast and Thomas’s sons were able to build a six-storey brewery in the town and were soon distributing the beer far and wide, including supplying the army. Since the death of John Carling in 1911 the business has changed hands several times, but it still has the family name.

Labatt came along a little later, in 1847. The company was founded by John Kinder Labatt and stayed in family hands much longer than Carling, not being sold until 1995. The Carling family avoided the problems caused by prohibition in Ontario by selling before the Act was instituted. Labatt managed to weather the storm by producing two beers which were called ‘temperance ales’ – in other words, alcohol free (in fact less than 2% alcohol) beers.

Prohibition caused many breweries to go into bankruptcy, so it is lucky for London that both of theirs survived.

The Labatt Brewery has a visitor centre where you can see how the beer is made – and have a taste as long as you are old enough. Don’t forget that the legal age for drinking in Ontario is nineteen – if you are lucky enough to look young, you might want to have some photo id with you.

Speaking personally, I haven’t had to show my id for a long time – but perhaps that’s just what having kids does to a man!

 

Comments { 0 }

So What Part of Town Should You Stay In?

By on May 13, 2013 in Accomodation

London Ontario HotelsAs cities go, London Ontario isn’t very big so wherever you stay you will be able to visit any areas of interest you like. Travel is good, with 38 well planned bus routes which link up really well. We like cycling and with cycleways alongside many of the main roads, getting about is pretty easy. Here in London we have lots of the top chain hotels and these are scattered across the city.

Although some  complain that these can be a bit soulless and lacking in. But not only do you know exactly what you will find when you open the door to your room, you also have the confidence that staff are well trained and that the rooms are properly maintained.

If you prefer bed and breakfasts London has  got some amazingly good ones,  starting, perhaps with the Inn-chanted Forest B&B right on the edge of Gibbons Park and a stone’s throw from the river. We’ve never stayed there (that would be a bit cranky, even for the Cross family) but friends have been over to stay and can’t say enough good things about it. If you would prefer something more central, then the Dufferin House is the one for you, just off Queen’s Avenue in Central London.

Just down the road from Dufferin House is the Woodfield B&B which comes highly recommended by my Uncle Tom, staying over when he was visiting my Mom and Dad last year. He’s a bit of a tricky guest as he likes to look for things to complain about but he couldn’t find a thing. He had to complain about my Dad’s painting of the garage doors instead but the Woodfield had him stumped!

I started this blog post intending to give the visitor suggestions as to where they should stay when they come to London Ontario but I immediately saw the problem there. There aren’t many places here where I wouldn’t like to stay, because the whole city is great – there are so many places to see and things to do all you need is a flat bed, some nice soft pillows.

You’ll be so tired out from all your sightseeing, you won’t notice where you are at all!

Comments { 0 }

Forget the Big Brand Names – These are the Best London Stores

By on May 8, 2013 in Retail Therapy

Richmond RowLondon has some great malls for when you’re in a hurry or when you have a special and specific purchase in mind. But here we also like our independent stores so when you’re in the mood for a bit of a wander or when you are just looking for that gift that is out of the ordinary run of things, we have just the place.

One of Wendy’s places to spend a quiet half an hour or so is the Mandala Bookshop on Central Avenue in the Richmond Row district. From the outside it looks like someone’s house and that is pretty much the ambience inside as well. They don’t just sell books but also have a range of incense, smudging bundles and a whole load of funky stuff that makes you feel good – I’ve been there a few times myself.

Just because I like sports doesn’t mean I don’t have a spiritual side (that comment is for my sister, Rachel, really, but I thought I would share it with you).

Last Christmas my present to Wendy was a client consultation at Fisher and Co. They help with closet de-cluttering and help plan a capsule wardrobe (which apparently is a really good thing) and basically make fewer clothes go a long way. Well, Wendy was very grateful and has not yet worked out that it was my clever way of getting back some closet space so my shirts don’t have to live their lives at the back of the sock drawer. If she reads this post, I’m sunk!

My dad and I put our heads together to buy something for Mom last birthday and we went to Kiss The Cook, a great kitchen shop which not only has the best range of kitchen stuff ever but also runs courses in various cuisines. To our surprise, she chose the pizza class and I have to say that popping over to Mom’s for supper has become the new family hobby ever since. She was good before but now – wow! If you are visiting London and need gifts to take back, check this shop out.

Richmond Row has a whole lot of shops that will keep you coming back time and again. As I said in the intro, big chain stores are fine in their place, but if like me you want to go somewhere that doesn’t look exactly like absolutely everywhere else you visit, then check out this area and find yourself something just that bit different.

Comments { 0 }

The Famous Tree Trunk Tour of London

By on April 30, 2013 in Culture, Nature

The Tree Trunk Tour- London OntarioLondoners have never forgotten that their city began as a clearing in the forest and in fact to many London Ontario is known as the Forest City. The Tree Trunk Tour is unique to London as far as we know and is a favourite of many – tourists or otherwise.

It all began with just five carvings, works of art created from the stumps of trees which would otherwise have had to be removed. From there, the other fifteen were added to make a walking tour like no other. Six artists are involved in creating the sculptures from the tree trunks and their styles are very different. Some of the finished sculptures are coloured – such as King of Pigs at 206 Hamilton Road, but others are left natural. They are all sealed against the weather though – we want our Tree Trunk Tour to last a good long while.

To be honest, the Cross family get a big buzz from walking our visitors through the Tree Trunk Tour and some of us (Raymond, I’m talking to you) get really grouchy when their favourite doesn’t get the biggest round of applause.

There’s something for everyone, from the thought provoking shepherd to the laugh out loud pig, but for me the thinking squirrel has it every time. A squirrel spends a lot of time on its own through the winter – it’s only natural it would be a big reader!

Most of the work of creating these sculptures is done with chainsaws, a method used by traditional Inuit artists today, but they mainly work in stone. The fine work is done with chisels and power rotary tools and when you go up close some of the detail is incredible. A sculpture takes about four weeks from start to finish and it has been a great treat to see them grow under the hands of an artist.

Although tree trunk carving is popular now throughout the world, there is nothing else quite like our Tree Trunk Tour. And don’t worry about getting lost – unless there is a big truck in the way, you can almost always see the next tree and if you can’t, there will always be a super-friendly Londoner to show you the way.

Comments { 0 }

Catching a Show and a Night on the Town

By on April 25, 2013 in Entertainment

The Grand TheatreAs a family, we love going out to a show or film – sometimes we grab a bite to eat afterwards or if we are in the mood to forget we are very sensible parents of two, Wendy and I like to go on to a club instead. London has some great theatres but we particularly like live music and we sometimes  go to the Centennial Hall on Wellington Street. They host a load of bands I hesitate to designate ‘tribute’ bands, because that sounds like people copying others – these guys have a lot of style and you can have a great evening knowing the music will be something you like.

Orchestra London also plays there regularly and this is certainly something not to miss. Whether you like classical music or show-tunes, opera or modern classics, the Orchestra London will be playing something you like soon. We love to take pot luck and have never been disappointed.

The Grand Theatre is a big favourite with us as well, with shows from comedy to dance. You can choose from the Mainstage and the McManus and there are local performers as well as travelling repertory companies so you will find something you like. We sometimes take the kids to one of their performances for young audiences – Wendy and I think that children need to experience live theatre as well as film.

Are you like us, getting increasingly fed up with chattering, snacking audiences in cinemas? We need to remember what it is like to sit quietly and watch for a change. We also love the Aeolian Hall – the events there are great and for folk fans there is always something worth watching.

When I manage to persuade Wendy that what she really needs is to watch a game at the John Labatt Centre at Budweiser Gardens, we like to start the evening (and end it as well, sometimes, if I need to drown my sorrows when my team has lost) at the Robinson Hall just across the street.

She has been known to convince me that a dance is a good idea, but for the safety of people within arms’ length, we try not to do that too often. There are embarrassing photos of me dancing, but, believe me, they won’t be appearing here anytime soon.

Comments { 0 }