Red Cranberries, Toronto, ON

I had lunch today with the Toronto Social Seniors and Retirees gang at Red Cranberries (on Parliament Street just south of Wellesley Street E). 

Here we are ...

Mistake Rib Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate using a squishy mistake rib pattern, an easy fun pattern.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Peppermint Plaid) and 6.5mm needles. 

I cast on 23 stitches (multiples of 4 plus 3 stitches).

It's a one row repeat: slip 1 knitwise, k1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Mistake Rib Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate using a squishy mistake rib pattern, an easy fun pattern.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Peppermint Plaid) and 6.5mm needles. 

I cast on 23 stitches (multiples of 4 plus 3 stitches).

It's a one row repeat: slip 1 knitwise, k1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Erie Beach Hotel, Port Dover, ON

Our home away from home since Monday was the Erie Beach Hotel (it’s more of a motel than a hotel) that has been “famously serving Perch & Pickerel since 1946”.

You can’t reserve a room online ... you have to call. There are 18 rooms and we were on the second floor (there isn’t an elevator). It was about $200/night and parking was free.

It wasn’t fancy but it was comfy. The furniture throughout seemed to be from the 1980s. There wasn’t a mini fridge or coffee maker in our room (there is a cafe across the street and a Tim Horton’s a couple blocks away) and the a/c worked well. The sink, toilet and shower head were strange as they were really low (you can imagine how low they were if I found them low!).

The Terrace Room Rooftop Patio, Port Dover, ON

Gord and I had supper on The Terrace Room Rooftop Patio in the Erie Beach Hotel.

Gord had Perch (5 oz.; lightly breaded the Erie Beach way) and fries, cabbage salad and celery bread. They are known for their celery bread so we were interested in trying it. It was okay, not overly exciting. 

I had Beef on a Bun (slow roasted in house; served with au jus for dipping) and mashed potatoes. 

The Ice Cream Tank, Port Dover, ON

After a hot walk to the marina and back, we had ice cream at The Ice Cream Tank.

So much choice!

Gord had a scoop of red raspberry sorbet in a cone and I had a scoop of Canadian mint chunk in a cup. Yum!

McQueen Cemetary, Port Dover, ON

McQueen's Cemetery is one of Port Dover's oldest burial grounds and is a reminder of the community's early history. Located on Prospect Street overlooking the Lynn River, the cemetery is the final resting place of many of the area's early settlers, pioneers, veterans and prominent local families. 

The cemetery is named after the McQueen family, who were among the early settlers in the region. Established during the 19th century, there are a variety of historic monuments and headstones, some dating back nearly 200 years

Among those buried here are veterans of conflicts including the War of 1812 and later military service, as well as residents whose lives were closely connected to the town's agricultural, industrial and maritime history. McQueen's Cemetery is recognized not only as an active cemetery but also as a place of historical significance, preserving the stories of the families who built and sustained one of Ontario's oldest lakeside communities.

Lynn River Falls, Port Dover, ON

Gord and I checked out Lynn River Falls, a small waterfall on the Lynn River in Port Dover.

The falls were once part of the early milling industry that helped establish the original settlement of Dover Mills. Around 1808-1809, Scottish-born businessman and politician Robert Nichol established a gristmill at this site, later expanding his operations to include a sawmill, brewery, distillery and cooperage. The mills became an important part of the community and local economy.

During the War of 1812, Port Dover was raided by American forces in May 1814. Nichol's mills and home were deliberately burned, along with much of the settlement. The mills were later rebuilt, and the area continued to play an important role in the development of Port Dover.

Today Lynn River Falls is best known as a quiet natural landmark. Although the waterfall itself is small in size, it stands at a location that reflects both the natural beauty and the early industrial history of Port Dover. The falls are surrounded by private property and they can be viewed legally and safely from the roadside.

Port Dover Beach, Port Dover, ON

He who hates sand and I went for a sunset stroll along the beach (his idea!). Thanks, Gord ❤️

Port Dover Lighthouse, Port Dover, ON

Gord and I checked out the Port Dover Lighthouse, at the end of the west pier at the entrance to Port Dover Harbour, on Lake Erie. 

The first lighthouse on the site, built around 1846, was destroyed by fire and the existing lighthouse on the west pier was built around 1850. The village of Port Dover developed around 1835 at the juncture of the Lynn River and Lake Erie and it soon became an important port for the north-south trade route as well as the east-west St. Lawrence system. At the same time, Port Dover became a center for shipbuilding as well as the budding fishing industry. Port Dover continues to serve the commercial fishing industry as well as recreational fishers and boaters, and its wharf and lighthouse remain vital.