A Point Of Interest - Wiarton Willie

When we arrived at Wiarton we looked up the internet and decided to stay overnight at Wiarton Willie's Inn. We arrived and followed signs for Wiarton Willie. After getting a bit lost I asked a local lady 'I'm looking for Wiarton Willie's'. 'Well, he used to live over there' she pointed 'but now he lives over there' she pointed across to the local park. 'But I've only seen willie out twice this year'. 

We didn't know what to say. Didn't even know the next question to clarify. We just had to say thanks and walk away confused. 'What willie was she talking about'? Susan asked. 'Oh don't you start too'! 

So we pitched the tent and went to find something to eat. Through the park we walked and there it was - Willie's home. Willie was a Canadian Groundhog! 

It turns out Wiarton Willie predicts whether there will be an early spring on Groundhog Day (February 2nd).  It all depends whether he spots his shadow when he leaves his den - if he sees his shadow it signals another 6 weeks of bad weather. 

Groundhog Day is a popular local festival attended by up to 10,000 people. 

It's also worth mentioning the Wiarton Willie scandal. The first Willie was found dead two days before Groundhog Day and it was too late to find a replacement.  So the organisers marked Groundhog Day by revealing Willie in a coffin.  He was dressed in a tuxedo, had coins over his eyes and a carrot in his paws!  It caused an uproar!  

Wouldn't you just love to have been at the meeting where they came up with that idea!