Ever since the failed attempt at raspberry picking two summers past, I had been keen on redemption. And while summer months in Ontario see no shortage of seasonal fruit, picking times and durations vary. After all, Mother Nature waits for no one.
Scheduling the July baby hangout proved trickier than past years. Finding availabilities between new jobs and life circumstances was an arduous task. A series of last-minute changes enabled raspberry picking with my birthday buddy and her partner, but excluded another member due to conflicts. The situation reminded me why I gravitated towards one-on-one appointments: scheduling was arguably easier, although not always the case. The joys and interactions stemming a multi-person gathering is irreplaceable though.
Scheduling the July baby hangout proved trickier than past years. Finding availabilities between new jobs and life circumstances was an arduous task. A series of last-minute changes enabled raspberry picking with my birthday buddy and her partner, but excluded another member due to conflicts. The situation reminded me why I gravitated towards one-on-one appointments: scheduling was arguably easier, although not always the case. The joys and interactions stemming a multi-person gathering is irreplaceable though.
My proposed arrival at Downey's was 9:30 - 10:00 AM. The ideal itinerary commenced early to take advantage of quieter hours (both on the farm and adjacent roads/highways), cooler temperatures, and with the aim of avoiding peak UV exposure and heat around noon.
But of course, I am far from a punctual person. My eventual arrival at 10:12 AM resulted from a later-than-anticipated departure combined with on a road closure along Heart Lake Road that closed the northbound access towards the farm. The detour was clearly labelled using orange constructions signage in addition to text-only signs specifying the direction of Downey's Farm. In spite of Google Maps not yet being updated to reflect the new segment of road closure along the corridor, I had familiarized myself with the route in advance of going. Unfortunately, other drivers had not possessed the same foresight, leading to prolonged pauses at all-way stops and infuriatingly slow turns. Interestingly, nearly all traffic traversing along Heart Lake Road concluded with the destination of Downey's.
Prior to setting out, I had also investigated the precise picking location. Raspberry fields were supposedly split between the Strawberry and Apple Farm located at 13707 Heart Lake Road and Farm Market at 13682 Heart Lake Road. The business' website and social media had indicated that the picking field for the given day would be identified via signage.
When I drew close, all signs pointed towards the retail space at 13682. Moreover, all vehicular paths 13707 were observed closed.
But of course, I am far from a punctual person. My eventual arrival at 10:12 AM resulted from a later-than-anticipated departure combined with on a road closure along Heart Lake Road that closed the northbound access towards the farm. The detour was clearly labelled using orange constructions signage in addition to text-only signs specifying the direction of Downey's Farm. In spite of Google Maps not yet being updated to reflect the new segment of road closure along the corridor, I had familiarized myself with the route in advance of going. Unfortunately, other drivers had not possessed the same foresight, leading to prolonged pauses at all-way stops and infuriatingly slow turns. Interestingly, nearly all traffic traversing along Heart Lake Road concluded with the destination of Downey's.
Prior to setting out, I had also investigated the precise picking location. Raspberry fields were supposedly split between the Strawberry and Apple Farm located at 13707 Heart Lake Road and Farm Market at 13682 Heart Lake Road. The business' website and social media had indicated that the picking field for the given day would be identified via signage.
When I drew close, all signs pointed towards the retail space at 13682. Moreover, all vehicular paths 13707 were observed closed.
I met my birthday buddy in a relatively empty gravel lot. This was a stark contrast between autumnal volumes, where the main parking area was bustling even before 10 AM. Although the duration of daylight was lengthier in the summer, the only visitors in present at 10:12 AM were families with young children.
Although Brampton was merely adjacent to my home city, network connections are poor. The commute by car approximated thirty-five minutes, so one can only imagine the travesty a public transit route would have been. Few amenities were located nearby, meaning that our sole source of relief lay with port-a-potties.
At the early hour, they were decently clean and cool. Not withstanding this, my birthday buddy and I both observed unidentified matter on the seat that we'd rather not identify. A handwashing station with soap was present outside the facilities, doubling as the mandatory hygienic component for facilities with farm animals.
Consistent with my conclusions from Amsterdam, locating public bathrooms was never too tricky in Canada. They were free, available, stocked with toilet paper, and featured functional handwashing stations - they just weren't high tech or especially clean.
We then sauntered towards the farm area, where I had observed signage for raspberry fields previously. A queue had formed for admission into the children's play area. We initially joined the line in order to obtain further details about the raspberry picking, only to later depart the line and seek confirmation from the staff member inside the farm store.
"I think it's on the other side, across the field" she responded, "I'm not totally sure though, since we operate as two separate businesses."
Although Brampton was merely adjacent to my home city, network connections are poor. The commute by car approximated thirty-five minutes, so one can only imagine the travesty a public transit route would have been. Few amenities were located nearby, meaning that our sole source of relief lay with port-a-potties.
At the early hour, they were decently clean and cool. Not withstanding this, my birthday buddy and I both observed unidentified matter on the seat that we'd rather not identify. A handwashing station with soap was present outside the facilities, doubling as the mandatory hygienic component for facilities with farm animals.
Consistent with my conclusions from Amsterdam, locating public bathrooms was never too tricky in Canada. They were free, available, stocked with toilet paper, and featured functional handwashing stations - they just weren't high tech or especially clean.
We then sauntered towards the farm area, where I had observed signage for raspberry fields previously. A queue had formed for admission into the children's play area. We initially joined the line in order to obtain further details about the raspberry picking, only to later depart the line and seek confirmation from the staff member inside the farm store.
"I think it's on the other side, across the field" she responded, "I'm not totally sure though, since we operate as two separate businesses."
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And so we ventured to the overflow parking area. From a distance, I made out the signage for "Pick Your Own Raspberries".
Basket prices were as follows, pro-rated from the base price of $17:
- 2L for $17 (up to 2 people)
- 3L for $25.50 (up to 3 people)
- 4L for $34 (up to 4 people)
- 6L for $51 (up to 6 people)
My birthday buddy and her partner opted for the 2L basket, while I, being skeptical that 2L would prove sufficient for my needs and repulsed by the paper format of the 3L basket, took to the 4L option. The attendee had confirmed all baskets adopted the format on display, however it was with disappointment that I received a 4L plastic basket whose handle fixture was inconsistent with the version shown. While the one gracing the counter featured a handle that hooked onto the basket, the one received possessed a flimsier fixture wherein the handle was tucked into a slot on the edge of the basket, effectively eliminating its ability to swivel.
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While awaiting the tractor to transport us to the raspberry fields, a single port-a-potty was observed near the trail entrance. We agreed that using the bathrooms at the main entrance had been the informed decision, as this one was neither spacious (like the accessible one I had chosen) nor included a handwashing station nearby.
Based on previous experience, dust clouds were expected from the motions of the tractor. Due to the previous day's rainstorm though, the picking grounds were found to be mostly dry with a handful of muddy patches, much to my relief.
Based on previous experience, dust clouds were expected from the motions of the tractor. Due to the previous day's rainstorm though, the picking grounds were found to be mostly dry with a handful of muddy patches, much to my relief.
A picture-perfect scene with blue skies and peculiarly uniform clouds, we commenced the day with sunny buy breezy conditions.
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