Parliamentary Stroll

As I mentioned in my first post about Crashed Ice, I took some shots from Parliament Hill over the course. I also took time to get other shots in that day; these and the shots I'll show you in the next three posts are from that day, February 20th. I was surprised to find that day that there was access open to the area behind Centre Block. It had been closed off for a good long while because of the ongoing work around the Hill. Part of that had involved replacement of the wall that rings the top of the Hill back here. So it was a pleasure to see that a good part of the area (though not all of it) has been reopened to public access. I took in a winter view of the Ottawa River and Gatineau from the outlook.

The access came to a close to the west of this statue, where work continues to proceed. This is George-Etienne Cartier, one of our Fathers of Confederation, and a co-premier of the province of Canada during the years leading up to Confederation. It was cast in the shadow of the nearby Library Of Parliament.

The Library is a marvel to look at. It is the sole surviving portion of the original Centre Block, which was destroyed in a fire in 1916. The quick action of a clerk in closing the heavy steel door leading into this part of the building saved the library and its collection. It's a Gothic beauty, inside and out.

Here is another view- the river is wide here, meeting the entrance of the Rideau Canal, which lies below to the right. The view across takes in the National Gallery and Notre Dame Basilica, as well as Major's Hill Park.