Southampton, Ontario

It doesn’t take long for me to settle in when I get to Southampton. I’ve been coming here for 40 years, give or take a few. At last count we have visited or rented nine different cottages including this one with its magnificent view of the mouth of the Saugeen River as it flows into Lake Huron. I can remember visiting here when Mike was a baby nestled against me in the green corduroy baby carrier. I also remember hanging with our friends before children -- well before our children arrived anyway. Our friends were a few years ahead of us in this department. When we first started visiting Southampton we were living in Toronto – about a three-hour drive away. Our friends invited us to join them for a weekend, which we spent at the family cottage on Peel Street, just a few steps from the lake. Later our friends purchased their own cottage so our visits became more frequent. Still later that little cottage became a retirement home with the addition of an entire new wing on the back. Today their “cottage” retains its distinctive northern Ontario yellow brick façade, hanging flower pots., and well-tended gardens. Like many of the homes in the area, an oval sign near the front door designates the original owner of the home, his occupation, and the date. Theirs reads “Alphonse B. Klein, Judge, 1897.” Pride of heritage is alive and well in this small community of about 2,000 souls. When we first arrive, loaded with books, beach chairs, suitcases, tennis rackets and other paraphernalia we can’t do without, it takes us a day to unpack and unwind. Soon the familiar pattern emerges, however, and by day three we are totally geared down. A typical day brings an hour or so of morning tennis lessons and/or playing from the bench, an opportunity to play doubles with another three random people whose rackets are next to your own on the bleachers. A few errands, perhaps, and a bike ride to Port Elgin and back generally follow. Port Elgin, known as “Port,” is the nearest town located just a few kilometers south of “South.” The afternoon is spent swimming in the “refreshing” waters of the lake and reading at the beach. If it’s too cool or is raining, a side trip to the Bruce County Museum or the eternally fascinating Southampton Market provides a change of pace. Some evenings we may have friends in for dinner or be invited out. Other evenings we’ll walk or bike down the block to the lake for a closer look at the sunset, which can be spectacular. The huge maple leaf flag will be flying from its enormous pole at the foot of High Street. I’ll look out to the lighthouse on Chantry Island, now silhouetted against the spreading colors of the sunset, and feel totally at home.