Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Scenes From A Capital Celebration

I was out and about on Canada Day, the first proper celebration of the occasion since Covid wrecked havoc with the world. I wanted to photograph some of the landmarks before heading to my destination for the day, and stopped first at Parliament Hill. The presence of some malcontents- the idiotic alt-right remnants of the 'freedom' convoy that tried strangling the city back in February- persuaded me otherwise. Generally the police kept a good eye on them throughout the core during the day. Instead I went east and photographed the National Arts centre, with its glass lantern lit up with a red stylized maple leaf.


A turn to the left gives us the National War Memorial and the Chateau Laurier beyond it. This area is called Confederation Square: the Canadian equivalent to Britain's Trafalgar Square, with national landmarks around it and the Memorial at its heart.


Crossing onto the grounds of the Memorial, I stopped to take this shot of the Hill in the background. The building at left is the distinctive main Ottawa branch of Canada Post.


The Memorial, with tourists paying their respects. Canadian Forces personnel are standing at post during the day now.


A short walk over to the east is the Rideau Canal. On the far shore is the Government Conference Centre, presently home to the Senate while work goes on at Centre Block.


A look down along this side of Plaza Bridge.


And at the front of the building, where the statues of the Famous Five presently reside. These five women brought forward the Persons Case nearly a century ago, a victory for women's suffrage in the long run and a chance for women to serve in the Senate.


Here we look over the other side of Plaza Bridge, with the Ottawa Locks descending down towards the Ottawa River.


I headed through the Byward Market, where these painted onto the walkway caught my eye.


Not sure what happened with this shot, but I like it. It's a new phone, and I think I clicked a different setting. Anyway, these are the York Steps, and each year a new design is painted onto them. I took these up from the Market towards Major's Hill Park.


Taken from the park itself, this shows Parliament Hill. The Canal lies between here and there.


This view towards the National Gallery and Notre Dame includes flowerbeds that were home to tulips in May. Now they're home to other plants and flowers that will last into October. I was going to the National Gallery for a visit, in a series I'll start showing you tomorrow.


But I stopped over on the Alexandra Bridge for a couple of shots. This one looks to the Gatineau shore of the Ottawa River, with the Museum of History at right.


My final shot taken on Canada Day. I didn't attend the fire works, though I certainly heard them. I went to a restaurant and picked up some take-out for dinner. This was on the wall inside. 

Poutine is one of those Canadian essential meals: fries with cheese curds and gravy. My choice of extra toppings from the menu was entirely fitting for Canada Day. The Canadian, with ground beef, mushrooms, bacon, and maple syrup. 

Oh, so good. 

No, I didn't leave any left over to share.

33 comments:

  1. You have enjoyed the celebration. 👍😄

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  2. I suspect your arteries will be groaning for a month!

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  3. The photo looking out over the lock is fabulous.

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  4. Beautiful scenes and photos. Your dinner sounds delicious. Take care, enjoy your day!

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  5. You really live in a great place and I thank you for always sharing.

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  6. Sorry but the description of Poutine doesn't appeal to me at all.

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  7. I love that area. Thank you for highlighting it.

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  8. Quite a beautiful and peaceful start of the day.

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  9. Me gusta el recorrido que has hecho por la ciudad. Se ve buenos edificios y unas pinturas muy interesantes.

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  10. @Italiafinlandia: indeed.

    @Francisco: thank you.

    @David: it'll be a month before I have poutine again.

    @Gemel: I think so too.

    @Eileen: it was delicious.

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  11. @Iris: you're welcome.

    @Rosemary: I love it.

    @Marie: a pleasure to do so.

    @Jan: all in all it was a good day.

    @Ventana: thanks.

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  12. ...it's great to see the trucks gone.

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  13. The 3rd pic is my favourite of the day!

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  14. Thank you for this lovely tour of the city.

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  15. Now I really need a trip to Ottawa!!!! Glad the police kept a close eye on those freedumb idiots.

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  16. What a wonderful tour, William. I enjoyed all the photos, thanks for sharing.

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  17. @Tom: it is.

    @Magiceye: thank you.

    @RedPat: you're welcome.

    @Jackie: emphasis on dumb.

    @Bill: a pleasure to do so.

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  18. Your city looks very beautiful.

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  19. Thank you for the photo tour of Ottawa! Great pictures. The steps, as impressive as they are, are topped by the conference center with Rideau canal. There is just something about the structure next to a waterway that's magical.

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  20. A great dinner. My grandson would have enjoyed it.

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  21. Thanks for the tour. I especially like the canal and the painted carpets.

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  22. Nice scenes from around the canal.

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  23. That’s a fine and appropriate Canada Day walkabout.

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  24. How do I emigrate?! Well I'm never leaving Hawaii. But believe me, I've thought about it. Thanks for taking us there

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  25. Oh Canada! What lovely way to celebrate and extra bonus for us! It was a gorgeous day too.

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