Toad Hall Soars to Solar Heights with the Wind Beneath its Wings

Birding is something the Brodies and their guests indulge in regularly on the back deck. This time, a kingfisher is perched on the dock in one of the ponds.

It all began with a child’s bedtime story and a dream.
The dream for David and Jill Brodie started in 1991 when they purchased 85 acres of land, off a fairy tale country road surrounded by maples, 10 minutes north of Markdale. “The previous owners attempted to build a gravel pit, so the property was a bit rough,” states David. “There were pieces of discarded machinery around that had to be removed, and we spent some time taking deadheads from the pond.”

Now, 17 years later, the stream provides the focal point for a panorama unmatched in natural beauty. It’s a place where guests can sit on a rustic log chair on the Brodie’s upper deck and watch blue and green herons and white egrets land and ascend against the backdrop of a hillside cloaked in slender maple trees. Through hard work and determination, the Brodies’ dream of building a home and a bed and breakfast in this ideal wilderness setting came true.

The bed and breakfast allows the Brodies to share the natural peace and beauty of their hideaway with visitors, who can embark on a five km nature walk through the property, or sit and relax in the tea house, situated between two ponds, and take advantage of the gentle breezes wafting off the water. Visitors from as far away as Belgium and New Zealand have enjoyed this tranquil setting, as well as the Brodie’s generous hospitality.

“It’s the stories of the people I like the most,” says Jill with a smile. “I could listen to stories forever.”

Jill has a collection of country place settings she uses for guests when they need a nourishing meal after a long day of exploring.

A view from the deck takes in not only the two large ponds and the stand of maples, but also the Brodies’ landscaping expertise, complete with massive standing stones, and flower and vegetable gardens. “Jill’s the flower gardener,” laughs David. “I’m the vegetable gardener.”

Jill tells the story of how the family adopted the name for their B&B, Toad Hall. When their young daughter, Kaitlyn, arrived at the location of their new home, having heard the story and seen the Wind In the Willows movie, she was surrounded by a colony of hopping toads. Immediately she exclaimed, “I really am the toad of Toad Hall!”

The name stuck and lent itself to the quiet, natural oasis that is Toad Hall Bed & Breakfast. David’s original hand-carved sign for Toad Hall, a gift for his daughter, can still be found hanging in the family’s horse barn at the rear of the property. Guests who stay in either of the large suites on the ground floor, complete with a private cosy living area and a walk-out onto the beautiful grounds, will immerse themselves in a captivating natural environment that will rejuvenate their spirits and restore their sense of personal peace.

This oasis of reflection in a pristine setting would not be possible without the energy-saving properties of log home construction, done by David, Jill and Kaitlyn, and the power generated by a solar array and wind turbine, provided by Sun Volts Unlimited of Owen Sound.

Like many in the area, the Brodies’ location, and the exorbitant cost of running electricity to the site, led them to investigate alternative energy sources to sustain their dream. Their search was rewarded by the experience and expertise provided by Sun Volts Unlimited Manager, Scott Henderson.

The master bathroom on the main floor features a sparkling claw-foot tub and pedestal sink. The washstand was found at Mary Sarah Antiques in Flesherton.

“People who choose to live in the wilds of Grey County discover there are large areas not serviced by the grid,” says Henderson. “They have an idea that the grid is a distance away, but they’re unaware of the cost to bring it to their location. In this case, being off the grid is an economic no-brainer,” he says. “And people don’t have to sacrifice comfort or lifestyle if they have an appropriate system to meet their needs.”

Henderson explains that research and proper planning are essential when going green. “The system-sizing exercise is an essential part of what our company provides – I call it doing the math,” he says. “We take into account the customer’s energy needs, including appliances, lighting, water pumps and home electronic devices, to come up with the customer’s average kilowatt-per-hour energy usage per day. From there, we come up with the appropriate energy package. Most people are surprised by the amount of energy they really do use.”

Scott mentions another surprising fact. “People aren’t aware that there is enough energy in 40 minutes of sunlight to power the earth for a full year.”

Sun Volts Unlimited has provided alternative energy for Ontarians for a long time. Solar and wind energy specialists since 1987, the company installed a thousand systems over the past 21 years. With a head office in Sundridge, Sun Volts Unlimited has outlets as far west as Sarnia, as far east as Peterborough, south to Caledon and north to Tobermory. Henderson says Sun Volts provides the best products, components, system balance and price point in the renewable energy sector. He says their installations come with a two-year warranty, regardless of the manufacturer’s warranty. They fix the problem. No questions asked.

The Lady and the Unicorn motif has been used on both the wall hanging and the throw pillow on the bed. Antiques complement this reproduction tapestry art, while a telescope looks out the glass doors at a world unknown.

The Brodies’ system is completely automatic. Supported by a backup propane-powered generator, an array of solar panels and a wind turbine feed power through an electronic inverter to a battery bank in the Brodies’ furnace room, and from there to the home’s electrical panel. The entire system takes up a surprisingly small space, yet provides ample energy for the Brodies’ attractive home.

This family’s rustic log home perfectly complements its wilderness setting. The great room, with a cathedral ceiling that features tongue-in-groove knotty pine and reclaimed barn board floors, exudes a relaxed, country feel. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows allow light from the rustic scene beyond to fill the room. The natural setting is enhanced indoors by vases of fresh flowers and a myriad of nature prints on the walls depicting local wildlife, such as blue herons, mallards, beaver, and great horned owls.

The kitchen area, open to the great room, is furnished with an antique pioneer sink and Elmira period stove with maple cabinetry and an oak dining room set that sustains the down-to-earth feel of the space. “I admit, we have a love affair with rock and wood,” laughs Jill.

The open living space on the main floor encourages story telling, while the loft guest room above is also used as a work station for Jill’s quilting hobby.

Autumn is here and a new generation of toads has arrived. Toads are said to be a sign of a healthy water system. If this is so, Toad Hall is in great shape, as little hatchlings fill the toad houses scattered around the grounds of this beautiful bed and breakfast, and the Brodies await new guests, with new stories to tell.

The dream continues.