We’re living in an apartment for a while and there’s less to do, chore-wise. So, if we don’t get out and get busy, all we’ll do is work. On a related note, I saw a drink coaster recently that said, “Don’t confuse having a career with having a life”. I did have those two confused for a good, long while. It’s kind of ironic that drink coasters have become so wise when I see so few of them anymore.
Sunday’s destination was the Southampton Market. It’s a 2.5-hour drive from London, so you know we trust our pal Cindy who recommended that we go! It’s super; this is one of many rooms full of finished and unfinished wood furniture.
![Dining tables, coffee tables, chairs and other types of tables piled and stretching down a long room with wood plank flooring.](https://www.voiceoflisabrandt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/market-furniture.jpg)
![Tractor stools are wooden stools that are grooved to cradle the butt.](https://www.voiceoflisabrandt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tractor-stools.jpg)
Southampton, on the Lake Huron shore, was part of the CKNX coverage area when Derek and I were on staff. We worked at the Wingham-based company at overlapping junctures in the mid-to-late 80s. Being an announcer there meant driving long distances to do emcee jobs and live-on-location remotes. Southampton was one of those stops.
![A sign with a painted chicken on it reads, Scrambled Eggs. In front of it, a long, short black sign that reads, in white, Sawdust is Man Glitter.](https://www.voiceoflisabrandt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/sawdust-sign.jpg)
As we drove along, seeing town and road signs we haven’t seen in years, we both experienced flashbacks to CKNX days. Oh, that’s where I rode in a float in the Santa Claus parade. This is where we stopped on a hockey team pub crawl. And so on.
We both experienced twinges of – was it mild embarrassment? – reliving those days. There was no loss of life. I didn’t do anything I’m ashamed of. But, back then, we both drank too much and slept too little. We confused party life with a social life. We both learned the hard way that when you quit drinking, a lot of “good” friends disappear. The stories about “that time I got so hammered” haven’t been fun to tell, let alone remember, for a long time. I suppose this is the wisdom of experience looking back on the arrogance of youth.
The market was worth the drive. I mean, just look at these treasures I picked up for less than half of retail! That sign features the exact tractor Derek has waiting for him as soon as we get our green acres.
![A canvas throw pillow with a pink and blue flamingo on it. A metal sign with a drawing of a Ford Ferguson tractor that reads Ford Farming means less work ...more income per acre.](https://www.voiceoflisabrandt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/market-finds.jpg)
If you do any crafts involving yarn, they have loads of it as well as tools, all types of kitchen and bar stuff as well as a garden centre. Plus, it’s simply a lovely tour through a beautiful part of Ontario.
Wow! What an awesome trek you had! So very happy it did not disappoint!