Tuesday 31st August

Holiday is almost over L

The incoming flight was late so it was clear we couldn’t make our 6.10 boarding time.  The Canadian practice of telling you well in advance which gate you’ll be at works really well – saves a last minute dash to the other end of the airport and you can see your plane arrive and get prepared.

Anyway, we take off 30 minutes late, see the sun set over Toronto and head off into the night sky.  We have the same seats as we did going, with plenty of leg room for all, but especially for me.  The films are Nanny MacPhee and the Big Bang and Valentine’s Day.  I watch the first and try to sleep through the second (without success).  The rest of the family watch them both.  I don’t think anyone sleeps on the flight.

Ellie is sitting next to an elderly lady and is soon chatting away about our holiday, Jack’s arm and (obviously) Alfie!

So at 6.50 am on Tuesday 31^st August, we touch down at Gatwick, tired, sad the holiday is over, but glad to be nearly home.  The flight was good, apart from no one sleeping.  We quickly clear customs and an hour later are on our way home, looking forward to picking up Alfie later in the day.

So have we enjoyed ourselves?  I think this is a definite “Yes!!!!!!!!”  Ellie started the ball rolling with a conversation over tea on Saturday about what we liked about Canada.

So the things we like about Canada:

1                     The people are so friendly – this we all agreed on

2                     The weather was brilliant – warm even when it wasn’t sunny – and we had great weather for our first day at the cottage and in Ottawa

3                     You can turn right on  a red light – one of the better things about Canada’s highway code

4                     Every restaurant gives you a glass of water at the start of a meal – at no charge and without asking.  A great tradition.

5                     The water in lakes and rivers is lovely and clean (and warm!)

6                     The wildlife – we saw chipmonks, exotic birds, racoons (in Ken’s garden!) and all colours of squirrels.

OK – so there are some negatives (or differences), which you need to be aware of:

1                     Lemonade isn’t fizzy – if you want that, you’ll need to ask for Sprite.  On the plus side, the lemonade is really lemony!

2                     The licensing laws are a bit archaic – not being able to buy beer and wine at a supermarket takes a lot of getting used to!

3                     On Canadian TV, they warn you before most programmes if there is mature content – including on comedy programmes like 2 ½ Men – and then repeat the warning after each ad break!

4                     We had a problem (well Jack did) with the high curbs in Canada

5                     Ellie also wrote down that the wild bears were a negative, but I’m not sure whether that’s because we didn’t see any!

Overall, though, we love Canada, the scenery, the scale of the place and the fantastic people.

Monday 30th August

Jack on the balcony

Up early (I must learn to lie in properly) so I took advantage of the last opportunity to run round Ottawa’s river bank, finding my way round the National Archive to the river, then going all the way to the Rideaux canal locks, round Parliament Hill and back.  Lovely at that time (around 8.00am) as it’s not too hot.  I see a loon flying along the river quite close to me.  Quite a few people around – cyclists, skaters and runners.

Back to pack the cases.  I’m so pleased we got some travel scales to reduce Helen’s fretting about over weight bags.  I get one dead on 20kg, but am obliged to take some stuff out.  Anyway, we are packed, take the bags to the car, check out and head of in search of breakfast. We go to a place I spotted on Saturday on Bank St – Eggspectations where we have a corner table overlooking the street.  Good brunch there.

View down the Rideaux locks

We’re too late for the 11.00am guided walk, so do our own – down Laurier to the Rideaux canal – this is our favourite bit of a wonderful city. It’s red hot (something like 31º) so we have an ice cream on the way back.

Ready for home

Getting to the airport is easy, as is the car drop off.  We’re actually early for check – in, got through security and settle down to wait for take off.  Good free Wi-Fi allows me to do this.

Sunday 29th August

Not many pictures today because we couldn’t take the camera for the best part of the day.

Up late and Jack and I went to the Gym while H & E slept.  Found the Grand Prix on TV (it was the BBC coverage) so did a particularly long stint on an exercise bike until I’d seen Hamilton safely home.

Then shower and dressed.  Popped out for some last minute shopping, then we’re off on the 1 ¾ hour drive to the Owl Rafting place on the Ottawa river.  Stop at a very countrified garage to fill up (we need fuel to get back and I’m not sure whether they’ll be open later – it is Sunday!).  It is the first time in years that someone has actually done the pump for me to fill up the car.  Quaint.

Owl Rafting HQ

Owl Rafting turns out to be a place with cabins and where you can camp.  Week days you have to be quiet by 11.00 – weekends you can party until 1.00 in the morning!  We wait for the other family to arrive (they have been delayed on the road but are on their way.  We are in a family rafting party with a family of three.  There is also an extreme rafting boat going down with us.  As we have some time, we have  quick swim in the river out to a diving platform with a slide on it.  Ellie thinks I did a belly flop - I correct her as I really did intend to do a "skim dive"....

After the safety briefing, we get our helmets and lifejackets (or personal floatation devices) and climb aboard a mini bus which takes us all upstream. 

Our guide and oarsman (we don’t have to paddle – just hold on) is Matt.  Matt is Australian, normally a teacher, but used to work full time for Owl and now just does the occasional weekend.  Today he’s brought his 5 year old son Lucas for his first rafting trip.  He explains each rapid as we approach and makes sure we all give a thumbs up to risking our lives (we’ve already signed to agree that if we die it’s our own fault).  This is really good fun as we speed up down the rapids (which have names like Butcher’s Knife and Coliseum) and dive into the waves at the bottom.  We have the seats at the front of the boat so we sem to get most of the action.  We also get to watch the other boat as they try to surf the waves.  A couple oif times they are all thrown from their boat, but it seems to be mainly when their guide plans it.  We stop after a couple of rapids at Lemmings Jump – a high rock which you can jump from.  Jack and I go for the high jump into the swirling water below with no hesitation.  I’m sure this is higher even than the middle jumping rock on Gull Lake – I’m sure we were in the air longer.  Ellie jumps from a lower rock and Helen looks on proudly(!)  Amazingly, Matt jumps off the high jump holding his 5 year old son.  Both survive.

After the main big rapids, we jump off the boat and swim for a ½ mile or so. This sounds quite impressive, but we actually drift with the current, doing not much actual swimming.  Matt insists we keep our life jackets and helmets on, but Helen in a daring show of defiance forgets to fasten her helmet so it comes of when she hits the water.  There are a panicky few seconds while she struggles to fasten it.

Pontoon Boat

At the end, we are towed by a tin boat further down river to the pontoon boat where we have a barbeque and complete our journey.  The relish and chillies make the burgers really delicious, and there is a fresh do it yourself Caesar Salad.

The best thing about the 5 km or so we travelled downstream in the raft was the feeling that the river hadn’t really changed for centuries.  You could imagine Hiawatha (or Pocahontas for the Disney generation) travelling down this same waterway and feel eyes watching from the trees.  The size of the river really impressed as well. It was at least ½ mile across for all the way we went and there were other channels as well.  Even though its probably over a thousand miles from the sea, this is a big river!

When we got back to Owl base, we watched a video that Wes had made of our trip.  It was good – and captured me jumping off the high rock at least twice – so we had to buy a copy to bring home. 

Back to Albert at Bay by 9.00pm and we relaxed….

Saturday 28th August

Another great day in Ottawa! Blue skies and 30ºC forecast.  I’m up early and go for a run up to Parliament Hill, down by the Rideaux Canal and back.  It’s so quiet here – I can’t help comparing it with what London’s Parliament Square would be like on a summer Saturday morning.  I spot a 24 hour shop just below the hotel, so get some breakfast in.

After breakfast, we head out exploring.  Down Sparks Street towards the war memorial opposite Parliamernt Hill, then down the locks of the Rideaux Canal, watching a boat make it’s slow way up the hill (poor man had a big audience and lost his hooky pole in the water!).  We then cross the Alexandria Bridge – a lovely steel truss cantilever affair so we can say we’ve been in Quebec.  Walk round the outside of the Museum of Civilisation (have a coffee/fruit ice/slush puppie) and back towards the Byward Market.  

This is where the city gets really lively – loads of stalls selling all sorts of fruit, veg, jewellery and food.  As recommended, we try beavers tails – deep fried pastry with various toppings including lemon and sugar (Jack) and cheese and garlic (S & H).  Ellie waits and has a crepe a little later.  Beavers tails are much nicer than they sound – really tasty, although I don’t think they can be too healthy – bit like most good things.

We then head slowly back to base, stopping off at a bar for a beer an LCBO to get some wine and beer for the apartment.  During the afternoon, we rest – well a little.  Jack and Ellie persuade me to take them to the gym, and I get some groceries in from the bigger shop (Shoppers Drugmart) a few blocks away.

In the evening, we head back towards Byward Market as it’s the liveliest area.  We find an Italian called the Grand on the corner opposite an Irish pub with a live band which can be heard all over the street.  Luckily, they play a great selection, starting with the Buzzcocks’ “ever fallen in love” and quite a lot of Clash numbers.  Have the hottest Penne al Arrabiatta I’ve had for a long time – Ellie has it too and enjoys it, although she struggles at times.

After the meal, there is a street entertainer doing some fire eating which is good value (i.e. almost free), and we then take our seats on the grass on Parliament Hill for the sound and light show that is on free every night.  It’s called Mosaika – about Canada by Canadians.  It is really spectacular how they light up the parliament building, both using it as giant projection screen and bringing it to life in different colours.  By the end of it, we are proud to be Canadians!

Friday 27th August

Up and down to break fast for 8.45.  Good breakfast with home made jams, juices, cereal, toast and pancakes. 

Packed up and set off for Ottawa.  Good journey (no Tim stops) and arrived at the hotel early for check in. No problem, they have a room ready and suggest we change to one with two beds (queens) in the bedroom rather than a sofa bed for the kids or us.  This is an apartment hotel and the suite is great.  10^th floor; big well equipped kitchen (dishwasher, big fridge, oven the size of Alison’s) decent size and very comfortable – oh and a balcony overlooking the river.

We have a light lunch of dips we brought with us from Wasaga then set out to explore. 

I LOVE OTTAWA!  It is a beautiful city with great, really interesting things to do.  Out of the hotel, towards the river, we pass through the Garden of Territories and Provinces, to the Supreme Court where a guided tour is just about to start.  At first we have a private tour, but then a couple join is.  It covers the Federal Court (we get to sit in the judges seats - just like Judge Judy says Ellie), the Court of Appeal and some very plush marble toilets.  It’s free, very enjoyable and even J & E like it. 

We then head off towards Parliament Hill where the government buildings are.  It’s all in a lovely setting with traffic kept well away and lots of grass around.  We book the 4.20 tour of the Centre Block and Helen & Jack look round the precinct while I take Ellie for an ice cream – she’s feeling put out about going on a tour – but it doesn’t work very well – she chooses a flavour she doesn’t like!

The tour is about 40 people led by Candice, a journalism student, originally from Toronto.  We have to go through security first which takes ages, but then we are whisked into the Commons chamber which is really quite impressive.  Like a lot of things, they take their cues from Britain so the colour here is green.  Then the library, but we are told we can’t go in because some filming is taking place – the Canadians complain that this is the highlight of the tour (we’re ignorant and think they’re joking).  Candice tells us about what we could have had seen – but then we are allowed into the library providing we’re quiet and it is really quite impressive – white pine carved shelves and very ornate carvings with a staue of the young Queen Victoria looking over everything.  (Just like Harry Potter says Jack)

We then move onto the Senate which is also very impressive.

Helen and Jack, then show us the whispering wall – a curved statue plinth where you can whisper at one end and be heard clearly at the other end.  Very impressive.  The views across the Ottawa River are really impressive as well.

They then show us the memorial to the women who campaigned to get women allowed to be senators - Jack asks whether it is actual size - but it's quite big really!

We head towards town looking for something to eat, passing a jazz band playing to virtually no-one in the middle of Sparks Street, but really entertaining despite this.  We put right a wrong because we have eaten no Subway food this holiday yet, but find one on Sparks Street.  Take them back to Albert at Bay.  J & E then want to go to the gym – although the manual says that there is an over 16 rule, I made the mistake of asking at the desk whether they could use it when Jack was with me.  They are far too nice!  So I have to take the kids to the gym which they love. 

Thursday 26th August

Up to say sad goodbyes to Alison and Ian (Ken left for work at 5.00am – so we said goodbye last night). They have been fantastic hosts, really easy to get on with and looking after us all the way.  Hopefully we’ve done enough with Ken to make sure that they come over to the UK next year.  Alison draws us a map of Ottawa to show where a market is (I think), but it turns into a whole city map!

We leave Newmarket, only stopping at the hospital to pay the bill for Jack’s arm – over $900 for two visits and a waterproof cast.  Thank goodness for travel insurance!

This is the longest days travel we will have – 4 hours to Gananoque, stopping en route at three Tim’s – although at one, I learn that he died in a car crash in 1974 while still a hockey player – what a bombshell – I’ve always thought that he retired and founded the chain of coffee and donut shops that bear his name and was still with us!  A bit of research and I can confirm he did found the chain and was died aged 44.

Gananoque is a lovely town – tree lined streets and the B & B we’ve booked into is on the street down to the water.  We arrive a little early for check in and there is no one around, so we walk down to the dock where the cruise boats leave.  There is a 2.5 hour cruise of the Thousand Islands leaving at 3.30, so we book onto that and go back to the B & B to book in. Tristram (I think – she’s a girl) shows us round.  It’s got real character and we have the attic room – low ceilinged staircase, but really quite big with 5 beds.  For once Jack and Ellie won’t be able to kick each other!  There is a claw foot batch so H is happy.

The thousand island cruise is great.  Really picturesque and I’m surprised that there are so many cottages, houses, mansions and castles on the islands (there is really one castle).  Even tiny islands only 20 feet across have a boat house and cottage. This is where the millionaires of New York come to relax.  We spend over 30 minutes in the US, but don’t stop so don’t need out passports.

Back to the Manse Lane B & B.  J & E go swimming, I blog and H has a bath.  Then out to find somewhere to eat Moroni’s Family Restaurant – specialising in Greek, Italian and Canadian cuisine.

Wednesday 25th August

Up early (well I am).  We go for a swim in the pool while H sleeps on, then it’s a mad dash to get ready and out for the 10.00am check out time.  We make it only a few minutes late.

We head west towards Collingwood which looks like a really nice lake side town and try to find the Blue Mountains.  I think we miss them as what we find is a bit of a disappointment.  The “Blue Mountain Resort” goes on for miles and is just that – a skiing resort with loads of accommodation over several miles.  The Blue Mountains are part of the Niagara escarpment and right here, the escarpment is a long line of ski runs with loads of chair lifts up between the trees.

We then head back to Newmarket, stopping at the by now obligatory Tim Horton’s for coffee and toilets.  When we get back, Alison takes the kids out swimming, leaving Helen and me to have a quiet afternoon catching up.

It’s our last night with the Mosses and we take Ken and Alison out to a restaurant called Milestones (I think there’s a law here that all decent eating places need to start with “M”). On the way we get to stop by and see Ken’s dad, Sid, who is 93 and lives in a really nice retirement home.  He tells us a couple of stories about his experience in Europe in the army – skinny dipping with Dutch girls in a castle and taking his hosts in Sussex to see London – things they’d never done themselves.  He’s really lively and a great character.  Having missed meeting him 2 years ago, I’m really pleased we did this time.

We have a lovely meal at Milestones with Ken and Alison, served by a camp waiter called Lee whose first comment is about Helen’s smile – talk about working hard for your tip!!  He carries on in the same vein, but is always entertaining.  The food is really well presented and looks great.

The kids have stayed home eating pizza and ice cream and watching movies.  One is called Paranormal Activity about ghostly goings on is a house.  They are not scared by it though, they say, even though only one of them can watch the last bit!