"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at the Shaw Festival

Six years ago Teena and I saw Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in Stratford.

We both enjoyed it. In fact, I could claim that it is my favorite all time play. When we saw it was coming to the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, it was a must see.

“WHAT IS THE VICTORY OF THE CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF? JUST STAYING ON IT, I GUESS, AS LONG AS SHE CAN.”

"Maggie and Brick’s marriage is on the rocks and Brick is drinking as much as he can to quiet his thoughts and forget about his past. But Big Daddy’s inheritance is at stake and his two sons and their wives fight to win their share. An explosive drama and a Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
“The introduction of any Tennessee Williams play into a season provides an immediate shift in temperature. In this play the emotional and literal heat rises even further as the now iconic characters wrestle and struggle for power, sex, respect and maybe, somewhere, love.”

The play was at the Royal George Theatre on Queen Street in the middle of town. It is a nice old theater built as a vaudeville house back in World War 1 to entertain the troops training there. A statue of Mr Shaw sits across the street from the theater in a fountain

This production was every bit as good as the one I saw before. Moya O’Connell who played Maggie was terrific and Jim Mezon as Big Daddy was so full of rage and passion it was mesmerizing. There were no weak performances in this production, which runs 3 hours long with 2 intermissions, and the play never drags. I thoroughly loved it.

We saw it on a Wednesday afternoon and had seats in the balcony. There were seniors behind us who must have brought in bags of hard candy and spent much of the performance unwrapping the crinkly paper, talking and even a phone went off. They either had never been to a play before to know to be quiet or were just rude. Maybe it's a Wednesday afternoon matinee thing. Think we'll skip Wednesday afternoon performances from now on!

If you like theater, this is a must see production!

Fort Mississauga, Niagara on the Lake

This morning, Teena and I walked over to Fort Mississauga, which is a National Historic Site of Canada.

The grounds are kept up but there are no guides or re-enactors in period dress on the grounds. There are signs around explaining the fort and the structure of the blockhouse.

I find it an interesting place to visit and glad that Teena also enjoyed it. It is now surrounded by Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, which is a 9 hole golf course built in 1875 and is North America's oldest existing golf course. You have to cut through the golf course to get to it. Below is a view of the fort looking down from the first tee.

After the Americans successfully invaded Niagara on the Lake (then know as Newark) in 1813, it was realized that Fort George was an ill-placed fort. It did not protect the mouth of the Niagara River nor the town. So after gaining back possession of the town and Fort George, seven months after the invasion, it was decided to abandon Fort George and build another facility, Fort Mississauga to protect an attack from the lake. It is a classic example of a star shaped British constructed fort. I borrowed this shot from the net.

It was never put into action while the war of 1812 raged but was manned until 1826. After the rebellion of 1837 and to protect the town from the Fenian raids and possible aggression during the American Civil War, the fort was again garrisoned from 1837 to around 1870 Below is a view of the fort from one of the points of the star formed walls. Notice to the left of the blockhouse the hole in the earthen wall which was the powder magazine.To the right is a gated tunnel to the lake. The blockhouse in the middle held a cannon on the roof and the walls are 8 feet thick.

A drawing of how it looked when the fort was manned during the period. Notice Fort Niagara across the river on the U.S. Below that is a shot taken from the walls looking across the river at Fort Niagara today.

There are two historic plaques on site. One tells the story of the fort and the other, on the wall of the entrance, is for Point Mississauga Lighthouse built in 1804 which was the first lighthouse built on the Great Lakes. It was destroyed in 1814 to make way for the fort.

It is a scenic half hour walk from the middle of town and definitely worth the visit.

Fort George

Today Teena and I headed over to Fort George for a quick look around before heading to do a wine tour. Glad we didn't book the tour before hand as we spent three hours at the Fort.

Teena enjoys history and the history of Canada. The War of 1812 is one of my favorite subjects to study and research. This was certainly our place to spend a great afternoon.

The fort actually was built on a very poor position. It was too far away to protect the entrance of the Niagara River from the lake or to protect the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario from attack. You would think that a country who had constantly been at war in that era would know better. This was the reason the American amphibious invasion in 1813 succeeded. After the British/Canadian forces won it back 7 months later, a new plan to protect the Canadian shores was put into place.

Fort George does a great job to teach about that period in time. From the burning of civilians homes in Niagara on the Lake (then Newark) during a snowstorm in December 1813, to the weapons of the era, cooking and barrack life were all excellently done. Teena and I spent half an hour talking with the fort cook! I was in war of 1812 heaven. I learned and saw so much today and thank you, Teena, for being so interested and being involved for the whole time.

If I had one disappointment, there was a 9 volume series of books of all the letters and correspondence from both sides of the war for all 3 campaigns in the Niagara region. Each book had an individual price and I wanted volume 4 which was the American campaign of 1812, the attack on Queenston Heights and General Brock's defence and death on the field of battle. I went up to buy it ($60) and was told the only sold it buy the set for $400. A deal really if you look at all the volumes individually but I was not prepared to fork out that much at once. I would have like to have been able to, though. The search on the 'Net for this volume begins.

What a fabulous afternoon and, yes, there are pictures involved. Thanks, Teena, for being so wonderful and involved. She has a great blog post about it here.

Brock's bastion and original headstone. After General Issac Brock was killed during the battle of Queenston Heights in October of 1812, he was interred here until 1824, That year his remains were reburied at the first monument was built for him at Queenston Heights.

We did not get her name but she is in college studying history and enjoying living it. We spent a half hour talking with her about the cooking tools of that time.

This cannon was pointed at Fort Niagara on the U.S. side. I am directing fire to take it down!

Cannon protecting the fort. One day I hope to fire one.

Re-enactors marching in for the musket demonstration.

This Sergeant gave a great talk on the loading firing and reloading of a musket during battle. Properly trained troops could fire a round every 15 seconds, amazing for all they had to do for each shot.

Ready, aim, FIRE!

The Fort's magazine built in 1795 is the only original remaining building form the original fort.

The gaol (spelling from the period). Teena and I acted up!

Living quarters for the troops. The gun rack was close, ready to go.

The view of the fort from the outer bastion upper musket slots.

Three times they tried to take us during the war and three times they failed and so the Union Jack continues to proudly fly.

Ship in a Bottle

I saw this tonight in the Iris Harp Pub. There was an overflow room that I checked out and it was sitting atop a fake fireplace.

I had an uncle from Newfoundland who I met many years ago. Too many years ago, perhaps 45 or so, and sadly, I cannot remember his name. I do believe he is the same uncle who said if I came down to see him, he would take me out squid jigging! I really wish I remembered his name as I really liked him.

He built ships in a bottle. He explained to me how it was done. It is such intricate work, how to pull up the sails. For a long time I had a small one from him. I have no idea where it is. When I saw this on the fireplace, I was reminded of him. I may not remember your name, but I remember you!

Supper at The Irish Harp, Niagara on the Lake

Teena and I were starving after we checked in to our hotel and headed over to a pub we passed on our way into town, The Irish Harp.

Our last time here back in 2005, it was not here. The Angel Inn was the only pub in town.

From their website ...

Most Irish pubs started as spirit grocers. The Irish Harp Pub is located on what used to be the local grocery store, built in 1913. The owner, Trevor Smyth lovingly restored the old building in 2006 to what you see today. Trevor comes from County Derry in Ireland and has brought to Niagara-on-the-Lake the traditions and spirit of the Emerald Isle."

The decor apparently was shipped over from a closed Irish pub in Ireland. The floors are appropriately worn, the sinks in the bathroom seemed authentic, as do the lighting.

When we walked in, we were greeted by a friendly server and led to out table. Our server was Katie who looked after us very well all night. We started with garlic bread and cheese. For our main course, Teena had the Chicken Curry, which she enjoyed and I had the Corned Beef & Cabbage. It had gravy on it, which surprisingly worked. We both really enjoyed our meal.

They have Irish Harp Lager and Ale on tap. The lager was just OK and the ale was flat and I did not finish it. I did love that they has Samuel Adams on tap. Another Ontario craft brewery tap would have put this place over the top.

I would go back again in a heartbeat, though. It was a place I wished was in our own neighborhood.

The bar

The bathroom

Garlic bread in a skillet to start. It was fabulous!

My Corned Beef and cabbage. I loved it! Teena liked her Chicken Curry.

Vacationing in Niagara on the Lake

KC was an old dog who, as any living thing that gets old, had some issues.

Because of that, Teena and I would spend our vacations together at home in the city so she was always well looked after. We never regretted doing that for a minute.

Sadly, she passed away this spring but it did mean we could now travel together. I know Teena feels the same way that I do. That we would give this up for a couple of more years with our girl.

This week we are taking our first week away together since 2005 for a couple of days at Niagara on the Lake.

We had a deal at a hotel I have always wanted to stay at. When we checked in, Teena told them that it was her birthday. She said it was also our anniversary. Teena's birthday is tomorrow and it is our 9th anniversary, the same day.

So the hotel gave us a double bump to a suite. Oh yeah!

A beautiful suite. A huge bathroom, a great bedroom with a four poster bed, fridge, Tvs in both rooms ... I could go on. I feel really spoiled right now. Living the champagne dream!

Teena`s view is here.

Nice touch. Oranges greeted us.

The 4 poster bed

The main entrance. Teena is waiting to be carted in.

Our sitting room. This does not show how great this room is!

A rose was placed upon our bed when we returned to the room.

Mitch and a picture of the Edward VII Prince of Wales who visited the hotel.