I’ve been thinking about Canada lately. While world leaders act like orangutans flinging poo, Canada calmly goes about its business. I suppose if Canada were part of the animal kingdom, she would be a dairy cow, hanging out in the pasture, chewing her cud, ruminating about world affairs without getting too excited by it all. I like Canada.

Which is why I will be flying out of the Toronto airport next week, bound for the United Kingdom. Nobody attacks Canada. Mass shootings and terrorist attacks don’t happen very often in Canada, compared to the United States. Of course, they have strict gun laws there, but we won’t discuss that now.

My son and a couple of very good friends live in England. I haven’t seen them in several years and it’s time to make the trip across “the pond.” Keeping with the animal analogy, England is much like a peacock, strutting around, showing off, but not very imposing anymore. I like England.

The real reason I’m flying to the U.K. via Toronto is that the airfare was a solid $200 less expensive than traveling from the U.S. The added bonuses include a safer country, and connecting flights in Reykjavik, Iceland. I would have loved to spend a few days in Iceland but I booked with the wrong agency. Perhaps next time. At least I’ll get to see it briefly from the plane.

While in England, I expect I’ll do the touristy things like ride the London Eye and gaze at Buckingham Palace; marvel at Stonehenge and the engineering feat it represents; perhaps a side trip to Liverpool to check out the Cavern Club that the Beatles made famous. Of course, it’s not the original Cavern. That was closed and filled in with construction debris in 1973. The new Cavern Club was constructed with some of the brick from the old, and they tried to maintain the original feel of the place. A couple photos and a souvenir and I’ll be content.

What I’m most excited about though, is visiting the New Forest. New Forest is the last remaining heavily forested land in England. It was named a royal forest in 1079 by William the Conqueror and the original area was expanded by dissolving twenty or so small villages and farms in order to make a royal hunting ground. In addition to woodlands, New Forest also contains heathland, open moors, glades and cliff top walks overlooking the English Channel. It sounds idyllic and I can’t wait to experience it.

My next column will come to you via England or Wales. In the meantime, stay safe, lock your doors and be aware of your surroundings. Peace.

Robyn Near is a Ripley resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com