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!