The Landmarks

 As I'd said, I knew that I wouldn't be able to see everything at this bicentennial party, but I wanted to make one more stop, seeing as how the establishment was very visibly taking part in the festivities. I crossed the Rideau Canal via the Mackenzie King Bridge, taking two shots looking north towards Plaza Bridge, where this series started. Landmarks include the National Arts Centre and Parliament Hill at left, and the Chateau Laurier and Government Conference Centre at right. It looked like an official party was departing the NAC.

I headed onto the terrace at the NAC, since that was my destination, and took this photo across the Canal of the Ottawa Convention Centre. Its architecture has always appealed to me.

A look to the left gives us the Chateau and the Conference Centre. Both date to 1912, and the latter started its life as a train station linked to the hotel. These days it hosts the Senate while work on Parliament Hill continues.

Another shot, looking at the NAC. Sections of glass-dominated additions were added on and opened up for 2017, creating more space and off-setting the Brutalist architecture.

I photographed a section of art when I entered the building. A Given Number Of Owls is a 1972 work by Jack Shadbolt.

This is a portion of a large door within the NAC. Beyond it is a large room used for multiple purposes. I once donated blood in that room. I've always liked this door. It feels like something out of science fiction, like Blade Runner.

The NAC hosts classical music, pop and jazz concerts, and theatre, and is a national institution. It's also very much part of the city, and was busy being part of the city's bicentennial party.

There was a display on the Canadian singer k.d. lang, who has become very much an icon over the years while remaining distinctly herself.

Several display cases included some of her clothing. This design is the Nudie Suit.

And this is her Honky Tonk Angels' Medley jacket, dating to a 1988 performance.

Finale

 The Laurier Avenue Bridge nicely frames the final stretch of the Rideau Canal.

I've always liked a spiral staircase. This one descends down to the path along the Canal from the bridge above.

I took this shot from beneath the last bridge before the skateway ends- or begins, depending on your perspective- the Mackenzie King Bridge.

The Ottawa Convention Centre looms on the east side. Branding rights being what they are, these days it goes by the Rogers Centre. It is a marvelous, modern building.

On the west side, the National Arts Centre.

A look again to the east side, where the Government Conference Centre stands. These days, it temporarily houses the Senate.

The end of the line, kilometre 0.0. Beyond is Plaza Bridge, and in the distance, Parliament Hill.

I turned back again.

And then once more where I'd been walking to.

I headed off the Canal and up the slope alongside the National Arts Centre, taking this final shot. A fitting ending for another year for Winterlude.

Night Walk

 This was a good year for the Rideau Canal skateway. It opened in late December and closed for the season in early March. On the last weekend of Winterlude, I took this shot from Plaza Bridge.

I took my time heading down to where I was going to go down to join it. The Corktown Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that links Centretown on the west side with the University of Ottawa campus on the east side. I took this shot looking back the way I came as night was descending.

And then the other way. I intended to go as far as the bend in the distance before walking back to the start of the Canal.

The bridge is a graceful design.

Conditions on the ice were ideal for a walk.

Sculptures

 A set of sculptures was found on Plaza Bridge, outside the Government Conference Centre. They featured the Ice Hogs, the mascots of Winterlude, along with animals like the bear, Canada goose, and beaver.

Nearby, I looked out over the Rideau Canal. The skateway starts down there.

I took a photograph of the ice sculptures from the back, where I got a view of the Chateau Laurier.

I was heading to Confederation Park, where the main sculptures were to be found, and took this photo of an ice sculpture outside the National Arts Centre.