Lordy, lordy look who is 144. It’s my home country of Canada. When talking about Canada and how old it is to people in the UK, I usually mention that the Underground is three years older than Canada as a proper country. The Metropolitan Line was open for business on January the 10th, 1863. The British North America Act was signed in Westminster Palace on July the 1st, 1867. This usually puts things into perspective. Canada is still a very young country… and can’t hold a candle to the history of London 😉
This year I thought it would be neat to go around London and capture some of the places where Canada pops up. I’m sure I’ve missed some but I got a pretty good batch.
The entire Canada Water area is pretty good for this. The area is named after the Canada Water lake. There was also a Canada Dock, you know back when there were actual docks in the area.
Canada Water Underground station on the Jubilee line.
Walking outside the station you get hit with a lot of Canada-ness. And construction.
Catching a bus near Canada Street
Moving along from Canada Water we have the Docklands. Specifically the area around Canada Square. The story behind the naming of the area isn’t all that interesting. It’s because the original developers of the area, Olympia and York, are owned by a rich Torontonian family.
One Canada Square used to be the tallest building in the UK until the Shard came to town further west along the Thames.
One Canada Square from the inside. Can’t say I’m a fan of the decor.
And One Canada Square from the outside, looking up.
Entering One Canada Square from Cabot Place / Canary Wharf DLR station. I don’t get as properly lost in around here as I used to, but it’s still a bit confusing.
Off now to Covent Garden, where I don’t get as lost. Streets need to be at least 100 years old it seems for me to properly navigate them.
It’s the Canada (and other Commonwealth Countries) Shop! It’s where I get my Kraft Dinner, ketchup chips and Coffee Crisps. They have a window display at the moment for all things Canada. Well, all things they have in stock. I’ve cleared out the ketchup chips.
A short walk up Maiden Lane from the Canada Shop is the Maple Leaf Pub. I went here for the first time a few weeks ago and had a ridiculously large plate of potato wedges. They were very good. They had bacon on them. And chicken. However, I think I need to take issue with them not serving Canada Dry gingerale or chicken fingers.
Last stop is the at the moment empty Canadian high commission, Canada House, next to Trafalgar Square. All the flags have been down and the place locked up for a few months now while they renovate the place.
Let’s take a moment to hark back to March last year when there was a bit of a flag gaff at Maison du Canada…
Two New Brunswicks. No P.E.I.. Bizzarro World.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to queue up for a Tim’s doughnut and curly fries at the Canada Day in London do.
