Being a Flâneur - Again!

When friends asked if we wanted to go on a spur-of-the-moment adventure this morning, it didn't take long to say, "Yes!" Looking back on our day, I would say that it has an historic theme, an animal co-theme with a side of some really, really tasty food. Are you ready to take a ride?

With these two, we often have to back up or turn around when someone spots something interesting along the way. We are Flâneurs: noun,plural flâ·neurs [flah-nœr]. French. a person who lounges or strolls around in a seemingly aimless way; an idler or loafer: the flâneur, that cool, aloof observer of urban society.

The first animals we spotted were these two hand-carved moose in the KG (Kings Goods) Antique Warehouse in Wooler. The owners are enthusiastic folks who have amassed quite a collection in 4 years.

One of our destinations was Farmtown Park. This museum in Stirling has been on our radar for at least 10 years. We were blown away by the quality of their displays and the factual information to be learned there.

There was a large dairy/cheese area in one building. This part of the province has had some intensive dairy farms for a long time.

I had no idea that there have been SO MANY cheese factories in our area! Only a handful remain, sadly.

Our stomachs were grumbling after thinking about all that cheese and next on our radar was Farm Girl Café in downtown Stirling. I think I've found my new favourite restaurant. We rarely go to restaurants. If Farm Girl was closer, I am afraid that I would find a reason to go there weekly. Not only did the coffee smell good outside the door, it was the best coffee I've had since visiting Australia.

The portions were so large that 3 of us took half home for supper. Nothing like half of a croissant and half of a cherry cheesecake dessert for supper.

Our real destination was to tour around the Amish settlement between Stirling and Madoc. I have no pictures of that part of our day. That is because the flâneur aspect of our outing kicked in again when we spotted a water buffalo farm. The Ontario Water Buffalo Company has a herd numbering near 1,000 animals. There are a couple dozen near their roadside store, but they seem to be show specimens for tourists. The rest of the herd are mostly housed in an intensive manner in what looks like a former dairy farm.

We were told that they are a very friendly animal and that all 1,000 of them will come when called by their name. They all have different names. I think this guy is Hugo.

We toured throught the buildings seeing dozens of newborn calves and a large barn with cows in stalls. To end our tour, this young lady showed us how water buffalo drink. They dip their snout in water, raise their neck and let their drink flow down their throat. This girl is also the reason why I edited the pictures to black & white: she and her cohorts were covered in the brown smelly stuff.

🖤