Friday, July 4, 2014

The Guards And Highlanders

It is Independence Day today; Happy Fourth of July to my American readers! As I did a couple of days back for Canada Day, I do an annual nod to the day at my writer's blog. Head on over and take a look.

Next to City Hall stands the Cartier Square Drill Hall. It was finished in 1879, and was part of the trend to build armouries at the time. It was one of the participants for Doors Open again this year.


Today it houses two military units, the Governor General's Foot Guards and elements of the Cameron Highlanders Regiment. During summer, the Changing Of The Guard ceremonies start here each day as the Ceremonial Guard marches from here to Parliament Hill.


The Highlanders crest can be found along the main entrance.


The interior is spacious. That structure at the end houses museum space for both units.


Inside, mementos and items of significance can be found. These two shots were from the Highlanders regiment section.



And this week I'm co-hosting with Hilary her Friday Fill In feature. She puts together four sentences with a fill in the blank in each. I contributed a pair this week. You can find Hilary right here and check out her answers.

1. _______ is my favourite thing about ______.
2. ______ tastes like _______.
3. When in doubt, ______.
4. Is _______ the secret of life?

My answers:

1. Fireworks are my favourite thing about Canada Day.
2. Chocolate tastes like heaven.
3. When in doubt, pin the blame on your idiot ex-brother-in-law.
4. Is mountain climbing the secret of life?




40 comments:

  1. That's quite an imposing structure! And it looks like an interesting place to wander through, too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A modern-ish castle


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. And not a single clan Cameron tartan in sight? The building is quite beautiful and I'm sure that it hears the sound of bagpipes every now and then!

    ReplyDelete
  4. They are a long way from home that's for sure

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is an impressive brick building !

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful building from the outside. It's surprising to see such a big open space inside.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would like to visit this place...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Impressive building, outside and especially inside!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! I don't think I've ever seen a ceiling quite like that one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like an interesting place to visit. I liked see the Highlanders' crest. I'm amazed at how many symbols out there that I don't know the meaning of.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This place is worth a look today.

    ReplyDelete
  12. My husband is insanely interested in wars. He's read every book... Love the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  13. There's a sound particular to military establishments..I always want to march!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Impressive! My father would have loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I had to laugh at Norma's comment because it is exactly what I was thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  16. beautiful building. love the arched windows.

    ReplyDelete
  17. @Kay: this was the first time I'd been back in the museum section of it.

    @MB: it really is.

    @Cloudia: it does have that going on.

    @Ciel: bagpipes in there would sound glorious.

    @Bill: there's a rich history of the Scots in Canada.

    @Stuart: I've always liked it.

    @Denise: I think so.

    @Jan: It's cavernous.

    @VP: it's a pleasure to show it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. @Karl: it really stands out in its location.

    @Revrunner: I haven't seen that in other buildings.

    @Greensboro: I saw that coming in and decided I'd have to take a shot.

    @Birdman: thank you!

    @Jennifer: thanks!

    @Norma: it does impress me.

    @Sharon: small world!

    @Tex: so did I.

    ReplyDelete
  19. wow, it is very spacious!! haha #3!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Impressive!
    I liked your fill in the blank answers!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Enjoyed the visit to City Hall William and here at Cartier Hall I can imagine how wonderful it must be to see the changing of the guards.. Soft spot, my Dad was in the Black Watch.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful armoury! I thought it was a church!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the outside of the building and the great open space inside!

    ReplyDelete
  24. thanks for co-hosting and yes, chocolate is just like heaven!! ha on your when in doubt response!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Loved the building tour, very impressive! You came up with a great set of questions for Hillary, and if chocolate tastes like Heaven, sign me up now! Papa Bear says that I would eat absolutely anything if it was chocolate coated, he might be right! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. @Tanya: in my case, the idiot ex-brother-in-law's name is Mike, and he's really really stupid.

    @Judy: thank you!

    @Grace: I have to photograph the Changing Of The Guards ceremony sometime before summer's end!

    @Cheryl: I can see that reaction.

    @Linda: thank you!

    @RedPat: it's a building with such character.

    @Eloquent Obi: I really couldn't resist. Thanks!

    @Josie: chocolate is one of life's great pleasures.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Huge interior. It has a definite WOW factor.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Armouries have a distinctive style, don't they?!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is a handsome armory. The Hartford armory is ugly. Whenever I pass by, I think, "I should take a photo of this for my blog," then I respond to myself, "But, it is gawdawfully ugly and I don't like it and it is my blog, so the hell with it."

    ReplyDelete
  30. Blaming the ex-in-laws is probably one of the most used scape coats used! :) And yes, chocolate is heavenly.

    ReplyDelete
  31. A stately building to be sure. Hard to believe it held armament at one time.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Handsome building. I very much enjoyed reading your fill ins!

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a beautiful blog. Yes, chocolate does taste like heaven!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love fireworks too! We had ours last night!

    ReplyDelete
  35. @Mari: it does.

    @Patricia: thanks!

    @Hamilton: they do.

    @Jack: you should photograph it nonetheless.

    @Susi: that ex-in-law I hope I never see again.

    @ODP: and on occasion still does.

    @EG: thank you!

    @Anonymous: definitely.

    @Whisk: thanks!

    @Hilary: we had ours on July 1st.

    ReplyDelete