Monday, June 2, 2014

The Allure of a Picture

Downtown Galt, Cambridge, Ontario, photo by Linda Fegan

Have you ever been so utterly enchanted with an image, that you found yourself, literally, being drawn into it? This is exactly what happened to me, the second I spotted the gorgeous photo above.

A small stream, Churchill Park, Cambridge, Ontario

I felt an inexplicable and immediate connection with Cambridge, a pretty town in Southern Ontario, that compelled me to cross the Atlantic and see it for myself! And, that's exactly what I did!

source (edited)
 
So, I got on a plane, and
jetted 8385 km (5210 miles)
 across a very big pond, 

Charming, downtown Cambridge, Ontario

to another continent, and the city of Toronto,
from which I drove a further 108 km/67 miles,


until I reached the banks of the Grand River, 

 The Living Levee Trail, Cambridge, Ontario

where I walked along its flowing trail,


past leafy pathways and shuttered, stone houses,


 charming, cottage-y gardens,

Queen's Square Terrace Retirement Living

and stuccoed, shingle topped stunners,

Central Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, Ontario

piercing, sky-scraping steeples,


and shops painted in happy, pastel-y hues,


to finally STOP.


My photo: a rainy day in spring, of the view that originally captivated me!

Then, in silence, I gingerly stepped, 
into that bewitching of views -
this blogger's beautiful, magical muse!

A big thank you to my sweet brother-in-law, 
Alex, for all the driving, and the giggles!

Thanks for visiting!
xx
Poppy

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39 comments:

  1. GenieJune 2, 2014 at 5:49 PM

    It's so beautiful. My sister lives near Vancouver, BC, I am always amazed how clean and beautiful everything is. Apparently, all of Canada gleams. Will add this slice of paradise to my bucket list.

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  2. LorrieJune 2, 2014 at 6:31 PM

    It's so very beautiful - well worth the extra effort to visit. I love the stone buildings and the harmony between the water, the architecture and the greenery.
    I have to laugh at Eugenia's comment that all of Canada gleams. It is a pretty place, but we have our dark corners, too, like all of the world.

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  3. Jane and Lance HattattJune 2, 2014 at 7:06 PM

    Hello Poppy,

    Well, that certainly was a journey of devotion. The whole area looks totally charming and the river does make for a stunning view. We are sure that you felt the whole journey well worth arriving at this most magical place. A memory to treasure!

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  4. Ruth KellyJune 2, 2014 at 8:04 PM

    Thanks for your magical tour. That first photo is stunningly beautiful. Looks like you had quite a wonderful trip.

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  5. vivi kaJune 2, 2014 at 8:08 PM

    All the photos are wonderful but the first one is something more! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Debby RayJune 2, 2014 at 8:15 PM

    Absolutely stunning photos! You captured the beauty and character of the buildings and surrounding landscape like a pro. Thanks for the tour :)

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  7. MarissaJune 2, 2014 at 8:48 PM

    Breathtaking photos thanks for sharing this amazing tour.
    Xo Marissa

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  8. Cheryl @ TFDJune 2, 2014 at 9:39 PM

    This is a very beautiful place and I would love to see it myself! Thanks for the wonderful tour, your photos are amazing, as is the area!

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  9. Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow June 2, 2014 at 9:53 PM

    It's so pretty! I love the cottage. If I ever go to Toronto, I will have to see it.

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  10. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowJune 2, 2014 at 9:57 PM

    Beautiful indeed! I also love that cottage garden shot...wow! :)

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  11. Kim June 2, 2014 at 11:11 PM

    My goodness, that was quite trek! You must have been very inspired by that photo! It is lovely and I hope it met your expectations...and then some! :)

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  12. Jennifer HaysJune 2, 2014 at 11:25 PM

    It's a beautiful town and I can understand why you felt so drawn to it. I'm glad you had the chance to check it out for yourself. :)

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  13. MelanieJune 3, 2014 at 12:20 AM

    Thanks for the beautiful tour of my home country! Yes, I was born in Canada (Etobicoke, Ontario) but we moved to the States when I was a baby. I still have some relatives there - and a very good friend - but I haven't been to visit in many years.

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  14. Betty June 3, 2014 at 2:25 AM

    I would love to visit this place. One of the things I love about blogging is when people post about beautiful places. I make a list of those places like a scrap book, so when Hubby retires we can visit them and this will be one of them. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Julie's LifestyleJune 3, 2014 at 3:25 AM

    Hi Poppy, wow, how beautiful it is there! I loved all the photos and hope you enjoyed your trip here.
    Julie

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  16. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJune 3, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    I can see why you would want to step into that magical place - it is beautiful, Poppy! Thanks for sharing how personal art can be, and how it speaks to us! Made me smile throughout!

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  17. Things and ThoughtsJune 3, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    A wonderful trip you was lucky to enjoy. The place looks really beautiful and there is nothing more exciting than travel all around the world. I've never been anywhere else except Europe, I'm attached to European culture and civilization but I would like to make a step away and discover another continent, and it would be this one, America and Canada ...

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  18. UTKANE Z PASJIJune 3, 2014 at 1:07 PM

    Imponująca wycieczka, nie byłam nigdy w Kanadzie, piękne zdjęcia:)

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  19. Marisa BJune 3, 2014 at 1:38 PM

    Wow awesome town... I need to visit Canada again I would love to visit Montreal... Beautiful Pictures Poppy hope you are having a wonderful time back at home! :)

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  20. Deborah MontgomeryJune 3, 2014 at 11:22 PM

    Poppy, this is what I would like to do when I see beautiful pictures of where you live in Greece! I think it's so special, magical really, that you followed that picture into real life! Lovely pictures and a charming town!

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  21. helen tilstonJune 4, 2014 at 1:18 AM

    Hello Poppy

    Your images of Cambridge and surrounding area are beautiful and make me long to visit again. A few years ago, my work had me driving through Ontario with a GPS for several months. I found towns and villages I did not know existed and always there was one surprising coffee shop or restaurant.
    I love your post and wishing you a joyful week

    Helen xx

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  22. StacyJune 4, 2014 at 2:40 AM

    Cambridge is a beautiful and picturesque town - it is just like a story book! Your photo recreation of the original is well done. I'm glad you enjoyed this visit, especially after such a long journey.

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  23. Art and SandJune 4, 2014 at 7:52 AM

    I am going to look at scenery photos in a totally different way from now on.

    Beautiful photo . . . beautiful words.

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  24. UnknownJune 4, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    I love that you went to this effort to see something you liked. Life is too short to waste opportunity and Cambridge looks beautiful, like it's uk namesake. xx

    www.lululovesfilms.wordpress.com

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  25. Aida June 4, 2014 at 2:20 PM

    There are so many places to visit, so many beautiful views to see but not enough time in the world. But aren't I glad I found friends like you, who takes me to places, I can only dream of going. Thank you Poppy for sharing this beautiful city.
    Wishing you a wonderful week.

    Hugs,
    Aida

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  26. fiona andersonJune 4, 2014 at 9:35 PM

    The scenery and architecture reminds me of our own famous town of Cambridge, a gorgeous place I visited a long time ago. As I can't jump on that plane, thank you for the lovely tour.

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  27. camp and cottage livingJune 4, 2014 at 11:34 PM

    Poppy
    It looks like it could be Cambridge, England!
    The homes, the cathedrals, and the waterways are beautiful.
    It looks like you really enjoyed your stay in Canada!

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  28. Pamela GordonJune 5, 2014 at 3:25 AM

    Some of these photos could well be in England. So beautiful! I love the first photo! Just gorgeous, Poppy!

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  29. Jackie and Joel SmithJune 5, 2014 at 4:43 PM

    Poppy, what a delightful outing you had. Your photos are enough to draw me to the place and now can see a visit there on our ever-growing bucket list!

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  30. Jemma@athomewithjemmaJune 5, 2014 at 10:17 PM

    Poppy,

    Thank you for sharing these gorgeous photos today, I truly feel as though I have taken a little trip myself.
    You always have such a natural way of bringing beauty and poetry to our lives!
    xoxo-
    Jemma

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  31. DewenaJune 6, 2014 at 12:08 AM

    Oh, oh, oh! Your pictures are sheer torture, I want to live there so badly! Is Cambridge a big city? With modern glass and steel skyscrapers, or is most of it this charming? Now I'm wondering, are there any novels with Cambridge as its setting? I want more, Poppy! Lots more. But thank you so much for giving me this glimpse through your beautiful photographs.

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  32. My Cottage DiaryJune 6, 2014 at 12:52 AM

    Very pretty Poppy! I'm so glad you were able to go there, and I'm glad it was as charming as the picture portrayed! Blessings, Bess

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  33. Marie-AnneJune 6, 2014 at 2:02 AM

    What a lovely place, Poppy! Your first photo is just gorgeous!!
    No wonder you wanted to visit this city and I am pleased to read you enjoyed your visit.
    I will never forget my trip to Toronto and the Niagara Falls, many years ago, I loved Canada so much!!!

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  34. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryJune 6, 2014 at 3:38 AM

    Oh Poppy, how very lovely your pictures are. It was almost like being on a tour with you. Everything is so clean and beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.
    Have a wonderful week.
    Mary

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  35. Heidi's WanderingsJune 6, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    Your pictures are beautiful. Hope you have a beautiful day!

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  36. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 8, 2014 at 12:04 AM

    The church steeples are some of the most beautiful sights...and you took wonderful photos! Love seeing the banks of the river, too. I'm enjoying your travel photos my friend! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  37. Fox and Finch AntiquesJune 12, 2014 at 4:28 AM

    I wasn't aware of this charming town, but I will be sure to visit it the next time I am in Ontario. Thank you for telling us about this lovely, lovely town.

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  38. Natasha in OzJune 20, 2014 at 2:11 AM

    There are so many parts of the world I'm yet to see-I will have to add this to my list!

    Thanks so much for linking up to the Say G'day Saturday linky party. Hope you can join us again this weekend!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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  39. Amy MApril 27, 2015 at 10:59 PM

    What beautiful photos! I have had that sensation of being drawn into a picture myself. They were also photos of Canada - Canadian Rockies, though, not southern Ontario.

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!

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