Picking up where I left off yesterday, here's one more view of Kingsmere Lake. The name of the lake predates the presence of Mackenzie King at this place, but that would have been a factor in his starting to buy land here.
The path led us back up towards Kingswood. A few red trilliums could be seen along the way.
The cottages here are a lovely sight to see. I've been inside before, and the exhibits about King and his life are contained within them. The opening for the season would have been just three or four days after we were here.
We followed the path towards the other residence, built later. This sign, again in French and English, was by the path: 'Apart And Alone With God, With Nature'.
Moorside is the name of the other residence, more of a formal home. King crafted the vision for this over time, establishing gardens and landscaping details over a period of years. The main house has an accompanying garage-carriage house, and there are a number of what can best be described as follies on the grounds. The ground floor of the main house features a tearoom during open season. I have visited at other times of the year, and on one of those occasions a wedding party was having photos done here on the grounds.
King's gardens include both the traditions of the French and English formal gardens; the former is about geometry, while the latter relies on perennials and ties closer to nature. You can see one of the follies at the bottom of the slope.
Here we have it in greater detail, with an example of the rock garden motif visible beyond it before the woods. King called this The Window On The Forest. Taken from a building in Ottawa demolished in 1936, it was erected here and provides a separation from the formal gardens behind me to the plants that have taken root in among the rocks. The plaques you see are in English and French; sentences from King's will are inscribed on them. "For nearly half a century, Kingsmere has been my real home. I bequeath my Kingsmere properties to Canada as a thank-offering for the opportunities of public service which the people of my country have given me."
Another one of the oddities here on the estate- this appears to be a stone fireplace mantle, half buried in the soil. It makes for an interesting bench.
That is a lovely place. I like the cottages as well.
ReplyDeleteA fascinating place ... thanks for all the history as to how it came to be. It's a wonderful site and provides some wonderful sights. As stated, it would be a great place to "get away" from the hustle and bustle and get back to nature.
ReplyDeleteHello, Beautiful pictures of your visit. The cottages/gardens are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a nice weekend.
Adoro aquele estilo de casas, são muito bonitas.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim-de-semana amigo William.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Love those red trilliums.
ReplyDelete@Catarina: it is idyllic.
ReplyDelete@Lowell: you're welcome.
@Mildred: thank you.
@Francisco: thanks.
@Marie: so do I.
Thank you for taking me along on another fine trip. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you got in a lot of walking today.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
What a lovely place! I like that carriage!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
I wish our present day politicians would have as their main goal...serving the people instead of being obsessed in winning an election and power.
ReplyDelete...a little piece of heaven.
ReplyDeleteThe cottages and gardens are really lovely William ✨
ReplyDeleteGood photos The window feature is interesting in a thoughtful way. The fireplace buried is weird. Its almost like indoors melting into the outdoors.
ReplyDeleteThose yellow cottages appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteThe cottages and the residence are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like that kind of surprising follies.
@DJan: you're welcome.
ReplyDelete@Janis: we got some walking in indeed.
@Ella: I like it too.
@Red: that would be idea.
@Grace: yes, they are.
@Maywyn: he was quite a character, so I can see why things like this would have appealed to him.
@Sharon: they do stand out well, and I usually don't care for yellow on a house.
@Jan: and more of the follies to come.
I like the architecture of the houses !!!
ReplyDeleteHello, the cottages are very pretty. What a wonderful place! Enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place, how lovely are the cottages.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
Greetings
Maria from
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco
gorgeous!! love the stone work. ( ;
ReplyDeletehappy weekend!!
I'd love to have a folly! ;-)
ReplyDelete@Gattina: so do I.
ReplyDelete@Eileen: thank you!
@Maria: this is a wonderful place to spend time in.
@Beth: so do I.
@RedPat: wait til you see tomorrow's post!
That staircase! Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI like the half-buried fire place. It evokes all sorts of ideas.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting! What a character.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful estate! And what a beautiful setting.
ReplyDeleteIts a great place! Love the lake, the cottage, carriage and the outdoor chairs.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks wonderful, I like the styles of the houses:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a very special place. I love the cottages.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful spot! Please allow me to apologize for our idiot president and the insults he's hurled at your leader and a lot of others. I'm so mortified...we aren't all like that!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy being near water, Kingsmere Lake looks lovely, and those cottages idyllic.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Beautiful cottages.
ReplyDelete@Sandi: it's quite a place.
ReplyDelete@Mari: yes it does.
@Jennifer: that he was.
@Kay: I agree!
@Nancy: so do I.
@Rosie: I do as well.
@Denise: it's definitely special.
@Jeanie: we only have a dispute with the dolt in the White House, may his reign of terror be over soon.
@Jan: thank you!
@Klara: they are!