I kid you not: I could get lost in a room.
So – naturally – I got lost while coming home from an appointment in a nearby town.
The key to getting lost graciously is to act as if where you’ve ended up is where you’d meant to go all along. But I was too agog at where I’d ended up to even pretend to be gracious. My mouth fell open.
In no time at all, I’d gone from modern streets and brand-new neighborhoods to this old country road and a feeling that I’d time-traveled into the 1800’s. Beautiful old houses flanked both sides of the road.
And I knew, without being told, that some of these homes had belonged to certain local families for generations. It was that kind of place.
Most were surrounded by expansive grounds with big old trees…
Sweeping lawns and glorious gardens.
On the lake side of the street, were more gardens, houses and infinite vistas….
Parkland and beaches and families at play….
Boats at the marina…
People fishing…
Where on earth was I?
Not one to panic till I’d run out of options, I kept going… and thought I’d seen that enormous old tree just a minute or so before I turned…
So I turned around again and kept going…..
And discovered a sign…..
Historic Bond Head.
I’d never heard of it.
Later, I’d learn that Bond Head, formerly known as Port Newcastle, was once a thriving harbour, with ships ferrying cargo to and from Quebec, Toronto to the west, Kingston to the east and various American ports.
In 1856, Bond Head and the neighboring village merged under the name of Newcastle. The overall region is now known as Clarington.
But right now, I was just busy being lost.
And then I saw a strangely beautiful old house.
This house must have a great story, I thought.
And this is how I met a man named Ron, whose historic home had belonged to generations of an illustrious Bond Head family which counted as relatives two Lord Mayors of London, England, and had a big impact on the life of many Canadians, including themselves.
Click here for Part 2: A fascinating story begins
Stay tuned.
**
Dedicated to lovers of history everywhere, including residents of Bond Head and Newcastle in Ontario.
© 2008 CSR
Cynthia Reyes 
Whaddya mean, “…act as if the place you ended up is where you…” Do you not realize that it’s always where we are intended to be, even if we weren’t conscious of the destination beforehand. 🙂
That is a great way to look at the situation, Eric. I’ll remember that next time I get lost, and thanks!
What a lovely place to be lost in. 🙂
Well said.
Oh, I love getting lost like this.
You sound as if you get lost occasionally too!
Not exactly lost; more side tracked.
Well, our fellow-blogger Eric says it’s not being lost: it’s where we were intended to be.
Side tracked can be a good thing at times. Unless it happens too often. But I digress….
What a lovely post; and a post with a message. Perhaps your accidental wanderings are a sign to us all to take the road less travelled more often. Look what you discovered! You find beauty wherever you go Cynthia and those homes in their expansive grounds were so lovely. I can;t wait to hear the rest of the story.
Karen:
Hah! Yet another great way to look at the situation. thanks for the insight, and for your reply. I’m so glad to hear from you.
A beautiful diversion. Love wooden houses, they would just rot over here! 😉
Because of rain and damp? In Southern Ontario, we tend to have a mix — brick, wood and stone.
We are cold and wet! Whereas where my sister lives in Canada is cold and dry.
Oh Cynthia! I am always getting lost but don’t often come across such lovely places to look at as you have done here. I look forward to meeting Ron. Getting lost with style is an art form.
So glad to find someone else who gets lost easily, Clare. And what a great line you used: “Getting lost with style is an art form.”
I look forward to the continuation of this story Cynthia. My time in Virginia opened my eyes to the joy and intrigue of history. Glad you got lost! Lol!
Jacquie
Thank you, Jacquie. And now I can say: “I’m glad I got lost too!” Great to hear from you. Hope your new life is going very well.
lovely post, great way to live and nowadays getting lost is almost a voluntary act seeing as the next cellphone, phonebooth tourist center could get you unlost immediately, lovely story! looking forward to the next part
Thank you, Polianthus. I’m wishing you a good day (though where you live, it’s afternoon already, right?).
hello my dear Cynthia thank you, never the wrong time to wish a good day – it is evening now 19.35 – but the day is still going strong 🙂
Great. I’m looking forward to meeting this gentleman. Have as great day Cynthia!!😀
Thanks, Levi. You too.
Beautiful photos…looking forward to the rest of the story! 🙂
Will post it within a day or two at most. Thank you, Rose.
Sounds like you turned getting lost into a wonderful adventure. And then you cleverly set us up for more!
And now the pressure’s on to make part 2 wonderful. I must say, the material is great!
You seem to find wonderful people to feature or maybe you draw out good things with your listening, and writing skills? Or all of the above and more! 🙂
I love a good story. And, always, the wonderful people I meet take pity on my stumbling, bumbling self, and I love them for it, and it shows.
I have butterflies waiting to see your next post!! I love old houses and the history of them. I could live a life of touring old homes learning their history and that of their owners.
Me too! Thanks for the lovely comment.
Interesting neighbourhood and laid back country living, historic homes. The views of the marina and the sea must be lovely. Nice write-up, Cynthia.
Thank you for this. I appreciate it.
🙂 Hope to read more! Love, Iris.
Lost – but not without a camera. 🙂
Always have your camera with you. Always.
Brilliant. You get lost and you end up with a whole new bunch of fodder for your blog. Every cloud has a silver lining right. 🙂 I read Bond Head as bonehead!
Cheers
MTM
Hah! That’s usually how I feel when I get lost: You bonehead! But not this time.
Glad you like the story, MT. Maybe I did end up in Narnia after all.
A lovely place to get lost in. You obviously don’ t have a bossy satnav lady barking out instructions in your car. She would have been telling you to make a u turn. And you would not have had such an interesting trip.
What a thought. You’re so right! I don’t have the sat nav, or I would have missed all this.
Breath-taking pictures and I’m completely hooked. Must put Bond head down for a weekend visit.
Thanks! ‘Tis a lovely place.
“The key to getting lost graciously is to act as if the place you’ve ended up in is where you’d meant to go all along.” Ahh – perhaps you were a cat in some other life! LOL. That’s exactly their comment when they casually stroll out of the closet they got themselves accidentally locked into when one wasn’t looking! But where you got lost? What a wonderful diversion and you certainly made the most of it. Thanks for the tour! :o) Jeanne
You are very welcome, Jeanne. And yes — maybe I was a cat in my earlier life!
I can’t think of a nicer town to get lost in. We have one like that here where the houses set quite far back from the road and have large front lawns. I wonder why we don’t build like that anymore.
Costs too much, I guess.
Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad you like the post.
Wow what a lovely place to get lost in! Thanks for sharing your “lostness” in such a beautiful area! Blessings, Natalie
Thank you, Natalie.
The road taken – by a fluke.
A beautiful detour! After all, I’m sure you had time to kill!
I decided to go with the flow. No use panicking. And I’m glad I did. Thanks for visiting this story. It gets more interesting in each part.
Hmm! I’m intrigued!
Great. It’s a series now (A Man In Love with a House follows next) so I hope you like it!
(Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.
Getting lost is one of my favorite pastimes, you can find so many interesting things and places when lost.
As I discovered….
Cynthia, I just stumbled on your blog because I live on the same street as Ebor House in the beautiful historic area called bond head and I’m doing some research to fight the Clarington Town Council’s plan to redevelop our area. They are planning street widening, curbs and sidewalks. Classic paving of paradise. They are even considering a splash pad and monkey bars at the little parquets where the fishers do their thing. Does everything need to be developed? What is wrong with having a few gems left untouched to remind us of the past?
Brian, I am sorry to hear this. No: everything does not need to be developed. Have you contacted Myno at the historical society? Also, are you in touch with Farncomb LeGresley and David Walton-Ball? If I may help in some way, please let me know.Your comment inspired me to republish the series I did on historic Bond Head and Ebor House.
I remember reading this series and am so glad you are reposting to re-read. I wish Brian all the luck, positive energy, and prayers needed to stand his ground and protect this beautiful paradise!!
Thank you. It is sometimes challenging to know where to draw the line between progress and preservation, but I hope the town and the residents can find it. This is a special place.
Wonderful .. I would love being lost in such a tranquil environment. 😀
Well, your home place is a pretty special environment, m’dear.
It sure is Cynthia .. Hugs
I am interested getting a copy of all 7 chapters of this story.Can you contact me via email.
Will do.