Bar Hopping into History

This will be a short book highlighting approximately 12 London taverns that are in historically significant buildings, starting with the three original “survivors”. Other taverns under consideration will fall into the following categories: old and interesting, re-purposed commercial buildings and re-purposed residential buildings. The working title for the book is “Bar Hopping into History”. The goal is to engage Londoners to learn more about the rich history of our city through the exploration of a few selected local taverns.

Follow the Journey - barhoppingintohistory.blogspot.ca

Frontenac Club Inn

The golf vacation ended with a night a Frontenac Club Inn Bed and Breakfast, a historically designated limestone building in downtown Kingston. The Inn once housed the Bank of Montreal (1845), which mandated employees to live on site... on the third floor of the building. Another portion of building was built in 1826 for members of the Cartwright Family. All joined together makes this charming Bed and Breakfast today.

Read more about the interesting history of buildings.

Sketchbook, Frontenac Club Inn

Ottawa & Quebec Golf

Great few days of golfing. Last Sunday drove to Ottawa. Over the course of 5 days we play 5 courses from Ottawa to Montreal area. My favourite being Le Maitre... because of the scenery. Extremely hot all week! All ink sketches done on location, while golfing, colour added later.

Eagle Creek Golf Club, Ottawa - Just a short drive from Ottawa in the natural surroundings. Great views from clubhouse, first and tenth tee boxes of the 230 acres of forest, creeks and ponds. Most famous finishing hole in the area,  a 573-yard dogleg wraps around a 16-acre lake, tempting many players to risk going for the green in two.

Sketchbook, Eagle Creek

Club de Golf Islesmere, Laval Quebec - There are 27 holes at this tree-lined, historic old course, established in 1919. This course boasts having held many professional tournaments over the years, including the men’s and women’s Canadian Opens, two Canadian PGA Championships, the Quebec Open, and the Montreal Open. Played my best round here (86) and finished just before the rains came.

Sketchbook, Islesmere Golf Course

Rained out after 6 holes on Friday. Drove thru that nasty storm on way home. I have never seen the sky change so fast so many times! From sunny to nasty to sunny with beautiful rainbows, and repeat and repeat.

Golf at Greenhills

Golfed at Greenhills Golf Club yesterday. Very hot, very humid, but I like the heat, I usually play better. This is hole number 17. I was sitting to the left of the ladies tee box waiting. Yes, that is a tree in the middle of the fairway. If you hit a high ball its an easy hole, if you don't, it can be challenging to go under, thru or around. I hit my seven wood very high, so I have no problem to go over, then a wedge over the creek and on to the green, but I three putted for a bogey!

Sketchbook: Greenhills

Weekend of Golf

Canada Day Long weekend included lots of golf! On Saturday, we played RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton. On Sunday, we played Blue Springs Golf Club in Action. And Monday back to Greenhills to play in Canada Day Tournament.

 

While golfing I only have time for quick ink sketch. I apply watercolour when I get home.

 

Sketchbook, Rattlesnake Point

Sketchbook, Bluespring

The Church Key Bistro Pub

More research for the upcoming book ... "Barhopping into History" took us to this pub for a beverage.

The Church Key Bistro Pub at 476 Richmond Street follows in the British tradition of the “gastro pub” … a bar / restaurant that serves high-end beer and food. This building was the London Mutual Fire Insurance Building, built in the 19 century. The elaborate front façade has Corinthian capitals atop granite columns with large amounts of stone on lower level. Because the south side faced the open space of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the architect carried elements from the front façade to side elevation. Today this is a great location for the summer patio.

Clicks Bar & Grill

Continuing with my Tavern Tour Series: Clicks Bar and Grill, located at 337 Richmond Street in the basement boasts the cheapest beer in the city. The pub is not very interesting but the building  (Waterloo Building) has a long, interesting history.  Proximity to the railroad tracks back in the 1880’s attracted the wholesale houses. These buildings were well designed, well built and still remain today. The Waterloo Building was constructed in 1881, on the site of a famous hotel owned by a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo. The Waterloo Building had 2 long term tenants:  Hobbs Hardware (339 and 341) and Robinson Little Dry Goods (343 and 345).

Medium: Ink and Watercolour
Image Size: 3.5" x 4.5"

TT19 Clicks Bar And Grill