Monday, July 18, 2016

the nicest town around

After spending much of last summer walking and photographing at the same time, it looks like I will be spending this summer finally getting those photos organized into coherent posts.
I drove over to Chesley, Ontario to a) see Big Bruce, and b) have some lunch as well as c) get enough photos for a Monday Walk post. 
I would be disappointed in one of those goals.
Chesley is in Bruce County, with a sign proclaiming it to be
"The Nicest Town Around"
There is a nice approach as you cross the bridge over the Saugeen River

if you walk down those steps in the first photo, you find a  park with a refreshing fountain (and a bit of history)


But, back up on the main street, things weren't quite so refreshing. It was very hot that day and I was gasping for a cool drink and some food to give me more energy to continue walking. This cafe across the road from where I parked turned out to be out of business.
As I walked up one side and down the other, I came to the sad realization that there was nowhere - not one restaurant - to be found in this small town of 2,000 people. A secondary highway goes right through the main street of this town, how could there not be enough people to sustain a restaurant, I wonder?





There were big churches






and big houses
and even a big theatre that for 20 years has been home for
 the Chesley Community Players.
and, if you walk back over the bridge, 
past the park, 
there is Big Bruce!
finding "Big Things" in small towns is always fun, I think!
Placed here by the Bruce county Cattlemen's Association as a tribute to Harvey Davis. Through his enthusiasm, integrity and expertise, Harvey made an outstanding contribution to the community and agriculture. A third generation farmer, Harvey was a great ambassador for Elderslie Township, Bruce County and the beef industry. Harvey was instrumental in having the Bruce County Cattlemen's Association purchase Big Bruce which travelled thousands of miles promoting Bruce County and the beef industry.

you can find him on many billboards throughout Bruce County
sharing this walk ... after a looong absence, (and a few setbacks since she keeps taking off for exotic places) with RestlessJo

and with Lesley's signs, signs

20 comments:

  1. This does look like "The Nicest Town Around" and Bruce is on big boy.

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    1. well, yes, Bruce is a big boy. Though, I think Chesley may be a little less nice than it once was.

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  2. It can't be quite the nicest town around if it doesn't have a café! Love the big house - it looks as though it should be haunted or in a horror film.

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    1. I agree about the coffee shop. One of the things I love about the UK are the cafés and tea rooms everywhere - in all museums, galleries and garden centres!

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  3. So sorry to be a fly by night :) I'll stay put for a little while, shall I?
    I'm not a heifer person but I do like your Big Bruce :) Dreadful about the cafes! Thanks for persevering.

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    1. no worries, especially as your posts from your travels are as interesting to see as the ones from England :)

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  4. I like the Big Bruce statue but it always makes me a little sad when an animal is used to advertise killing and eating its own kind.

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    1. yes, it is a rather odd (and sad) concept, I agree!

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  5. I've never heard of Chesley. Looks pretty.

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    1. it's on the way to Owen Sound, if you take the back roads. nice farm country, with rolling hills.

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  6. That is so weird that there are no eating establishments in this nice town. Plenty of signs!

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    1. There seems to be an economic decline in this town as in many others.

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  7. It certainly looks nice! Love all the signs welcoming you. The flowers are a nice touch too!

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    1. I thought about searching out those 9 churches, then thought, maybe next time. All towns should be festooned with flowers, shouldn't they?!

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  8. It's a beautiful town but sad that they don't have an eating establishment.

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    1. I may try again this summer and see if there's any change.

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  9. There's a tiny town in California called "Nice", but I think the one you show is Nicer! Except no restaurant? Eek.

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