Ottawa II

Thursday. Really good day today. Start out early after breakfast and Oscar’s piano accompaniment. First to parliament to try to get in-demand tour tickets. Get some for 2:20 session.
Then just in time for changing of the guards ceremony in front of parliament. Spectacular display of very British process. Pipe band, brass band, lots of guards, precision marching etc. took about half hour.
Next go down to locks to watch boats climbing up into Rideau Canal. Apparently takes each boat about 1.5 hours to climb up through 6 locks.
Catch water taxi across river, coincidentally crossing into Quebec province with the border in middle of river. Go to fascinating Mosaiculture exhibition in Jacques-Cartier Park. From a distance this looks like topiary animals, but is actually shapes built with framework then covered in flowers. Fascinating process. Massive wire frames in general shapes. Then small “buckets” of compacted soil are attached. Whole thing covered in fabric membrane. Then small holes made through membrane and individual flowers planted through each hole. Park has many sculptures, each covering a region of Canada. Requires millions of flowers, grasses etc. Fantastic.
Next back to parliament for tour. Very interesting to see their version of Westminster system. Very much like ours with primary difference is Senate in which new senators are appointed by the GG on PMs advice. Once in they are in until 75 years age. Interesting to see inside of building that we have been looking at from outside. Central building in which House of Commons and Senate chambers exist, is about to close down for 10 years of renovations!
Short walk along canal then home to crash.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ottawa

First day we arrived at B&B early and found it was ok to check in. Lillian and Oscar hosts in old multi story heritage house. Lillian very talkative and explained the house rules etc at length. Very pleasant and welcoming. Our room on 3 level with narrow stair cases to lug bags up, but with Oscar’s assistance. Funny old fashioned room. Quite big with ensuite. Bit like big attic room. Out exploring. Find Byward Market area. Lots of market shops, fruit, veggies, meats, cheeses,delis bakeries etc. Have lunch in ubiquitous Irish pub. More exploring.big shopping centre. Pretty tired so buy bread rolls, ham, cheese, tomatoes, wine. Steal salt, pepper, plastic knife from food court. Home for picnic in room and early bed. Next day, breakfast with another guest family while Oscar plays very good light jazz piano in adjoining room. Nice way to start day. Out again to explore parliament precinct. Get on hoho bus and do 1.5 hour tour which is good. Back to parliament precinct and spend hour
Read more

Brockville

Back on train this morning for short trip further up the St Lawrence river to Brockville. Check into 1000 Islands B&B. Nice older well maintained house in tree lined street. Leave bags and head out exploring. Wander along shopping streets with interesting shops, cafes, restaurants  etc. bit of a country town feel. Have breakfast at little old fashioned bakery. Lots of fantastic old architecture. Can’t stop taking photos of buildings. Walk down to waterfront where there is a marina with lots of expensive looking boats, plus a couple of tall ships. Big park lining the river bank. Next check out the train tunnel which is supposedly the oldest in Canada now an historical item but also a thoroughfare under the town’s streets. Next do a 1.5 hour cruise on the river around the “1000 islands”. Actually 1800odd islands along the river. All sizes, some privately owned with houses, some public parks, many just islands. Pass by lots of big houses lining the river. Really good cruise. Back to
Read more

Day 6 Banff to Lake Louise

Another relaxed start. Breakfast then “meet the Mountie” which was good. Had interesting stories about history of Mounties and his time in the force. Then on to bus. Drive to Sulphur Mountain for gondola ride to top. I was brave and looked out at view on way up. Great view from top plus lots of good info. After this, back to Banff town centre for quick lunch. On to bus to Lake Louise. On way look out for wildlife and encounter elk buck grazing by roadside. Still had a bit of his winter coat to come away and still had the velvet on his antlers. Quite exciting. On to the hotel at Lake Louise and  open blinds in room to fantastic view of the lake, mountains and glacier. Dinner in hotel tonight.
Read more