Two's Company

We arrived in Ottawa early evening on Tuesday, a relatively easy journey of around four and a half hours by train.

We wandered down the road to find the hotel. Our room was a suite and spacious to say the least, offering not only a huge TV but also a desktop PC with speakers and a printer.

Now that’s a first!

A quick look at the view and it wasn’t long before we headed out, spotting a lovely-looking pub right across the road.

Now that’s a second first — a pub across the road!

But what a menu. 60 fine ales, with a good majority from the local area. Consequently, beer and food were ordered and our first evening in Ottawa was complete.

Waking the next morning at 5am was a bit of a pain. What was worse was that it was raining. Worse again, the sandman had run off and I was wide awake.

Helen had looked ahead at the weather forecasts and booked us into Parliament Hill visits for a good chunk of the day.

The immersive experience was up first.

The guide threatened a scavenger hunt.

James moved swiftly, “for a change,” as far away from her as possible!

The Parliament buildings are under refurbishment and this interactive tour gave us an insight into Centre Block — the terminology for the main building of the Canadian Parliament.

It was fairly impressive. The audio and lighting exhibition kept us entertained and, thankfully, we’d escaped the scavenger hunt!

It was, of course, raining, so to fill our time until our Senate tour we jumped in and out of several souvenir shops. All selling much the same stuff, all with those “squeeze you in so you can’t escape easily” aisles.

However, one stood out above the rest. The souvenirs in this shop were clearly a class above the others.

“That’s not a souvenir,” I said.

$250 for a few pieces of Indigenous art… that certainly made me think!

The Senate and Commons tours were bob on, with the links to the British system evident throughout.

Surprisingly, hearing King Charles referenced as the King of Canada made me think, hang on, he’s our King..!

Red seats for the Lords, or in this case the Senate and green for the Commons. Similarly, the processes are akin.

Buildings steeped in history, colonial British in style, with rooftops and turrets similar to ones you’d see in Paris.

An enjoyable day complete.

Our second day was full of sunshine and we made the most of it, Helen leading from the front as we completed a circular stroll of some 11km.

The Rideau locks are a marvel of engineering, eight locks taking the water through a total 24-metre lift — impressive to say the least.  

The Basilica was a wonderful building and the pews came as a relief — which I enjoyed for as long as I could swing the lead!

Our final morning gave us time for another stroll, this time to see the fabulous Rideau Falls, on route Helen had spotted something, “What is that animal?”After taking a few quick photos and a Google investigation, we found it was a groundhog.

Another Canadian first!

He seemed completely unbothered by our interest and carried on about his business while we stood there trying to work out exactly what we’d just seen. Mind, when Helen moved a little closer, he was off on his toes into nearby foliage! 

Finally, we had just enough time to take in the Rideau locks again and we timed it just right; this time the locks were in operation, what a sight that was!

With Ottawa ticked off the list, it was time to say goodbye and head for our train, but oh my Ottawa legs will they make one more push station bound? 

Next stop… Montreal.