Market

 The main farmers market in Ottawa is held through the year at Lansdowne Park, and during the cold weather inside the Aberdeen Pavilion on the property. This is a late 19th-century exhibition hall, the last of its kind on the continent. During the weeks running up to Christmas, the market goes from just Sundays to being here on both weekend days. And this time of year, it can be counted on to be exceedingly busy.

Visitors often have dogs with them.

There are gift ideas in addition to the regular farmer's vendors. With the exception of one farmer, who comes from the Niagara area, farmers here are from the area, and must grow their own product. A better thing than to have re-sellers.

I come regularly- there's a lady here who makes the best jam, and I get my cider from an apple grower. 

The dogs drew my eye. Both real.

And not so real- this one appropriately for a vendor whose product is dog treats.

This wee one had their eye on someone else.

The architecture is appealing, and full of history. This building has housed Stanley Cup games over a century ago. During the season, the arches are laced with green Christmas colours.

This is the view from the west side, with the big Christmas tree out front. A parallel Christmas market, in the European tradition, is held out in the square on the north side, and we'll look at that tomorrow.

On the east side, an ice sculpture. We'll get a look at another one tomorrow.

I finish with a shot of a miniature collie. I have a great affection for collies- one of the dogs we had growing up was a regular sized collie.