Thursday, July 14, 2016

Roughing It

Happy Bastille Day to readers in France!

I stopped at a place for Doors Open which will serve as my final two posts for the series. It was on the Saturday, so the weather was fine. The grounds had lovely flower beds and a beautiful view of the Ottawa River and Gatineau on the far side.


This property is Earnscliffe, the official residence of the British High Commissioner since the 1930s. The history of the building dates back to 1855, and was the last home of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald.

28 comments:

  1. Beautiful series, William! We have a street named Earnscliffe here in Montreal, and there was even a convenience store with the same name at some point.

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  2. The house is a National Historic Site of Canada, it is true?.

    Tomás.

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  3. WOW! Looks great!

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  4. Nice surroundings and sculptures.

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  5. It is a beautiful structure; the gardens are exquisite and what a view!!!

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  6. @Linda: that I didn't know.

    @Tomas: yes, I expect so. There are plaques about it at one of the doors, and given its history, that can be expected.

    @WW: it does!

    @Marianne: it is a property well kept up.

    @Lowell: definitely!

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  7. A well appointed estate and those puffy clouds make it even more attractive!

    Janis
    GDP

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  8. Very attractive estate and sculptures.

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  9. Seems an idyllic Summer, William

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  10. The gardens are truly spectacular!

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  11. looks gorgeous & so peaceful. i always wish i could have a water feature, they seem so calming. ( :

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  12. @Janis: I agree!

    @Bill: it's a great spot to visit.

    @Cloudia: it has been thus far.

    @Norma: it certainly is.

    @Sharon: the gardeners really tend to the place well.

    @Beth: this one does have that effect, yes.

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  13. Amazing gardens---very Englishy--(?). Very beautiful
    MB

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  14. Earnscliff is a familiar name even to westerners.

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  15. Lovely gardens. And thanks for reminding me about Bastille day

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  16. I love the hostas, but that little peeing imp! sigh.

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  17. Quite pretty with its English garden!

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  18. @MB: well, the British do love their gardens!

    @Red: it's a wonderful property to come see.

    @Mo: you're welcome.

    @Jennifer: actually I think it's pouring water from a vessel, though I can see why it looks that way!

    @RedPat: it definitely is.

    @Jan: yes, it feels like a comfortable place, inside and out. You'll have to take my word for it on the inside though.

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  19. Imagine living in a home like that when the houses of most people were quite small. The grounds are fantastic.

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  20. Some serious arms on that woodland statuary. :-)

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  21. Lovely place! I think you were there last year, too, weren't you? It's certainly worth visiting whenever the opportunity arises.

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  22. Beautiful setting and a very large and imposing place to live in. Glad the weather cooperated for your visit.

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  23. Earnscliffe sounds so English, perfect for the British Embassy William 😃

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  24. @Mari: it was a fitting home for a prime minister. I like that his room has been largely kept in the same fashion.

    @Revrunner: definitely!

    @Kay: yes, I was here last year. And since this is generally the only time the public can pay a visit, it was well worth a return trip.

    @Beatrice: the first day of Doors Open was pleasant weather. Not so much the second day!

    @Grace: it's a good name for the place.

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  25. I always appreciate the historical info you include with many of your photos.

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