A Night Walk Upon A Frozen Canal

 One last look back at the Flora Bridge, now well behind me.

And then forward.

This building was already glimpsed in photos yesterday. This is Immaculata, a Catholic high school near the north end of Old Ottawa East.

Up ahead, two bridges- the 417 freeway bridge higher up and behind the Pretoria Bridge.

The Pretoria Bridge is named for the avenue that crosses over it, which is named in honour of Canadian veterans of the South African War.

Its central section can be raised to allow taller watercraft through, as the arch is relatively lower to the water. I took some shots, and departed from the Canal here. We'll return to the Canal skateway when this series comes to an end.

A Bridge To A Bridge

Picking up where I left off yesterday. The Queen Elizabeth Drive runs along the side of the Rideau Canal, and over this bridge. Patterson Creek is a small inlet of the Rideau Canal, and a portion of it is plowed and counts as part of the skateway. A perfect area for beginning skaters to learn.

One last look back at the Flora Bridge.

And towards my destination, the Pretoria Bridge, around the bend.

It's actually one of two bridges here, with another bridge behind it, the overpass for the 417 freeway. The Pretoria Bridge was named in honour of veterans of the South African War.

Its central section can be raised up to allow for boats to pass beneath.

One last look at the Canal, but I'll have another walk on the skateway to close this series out.

Heading home, I passed by St. Matthew's Anglican Church in the Glebe, where to my surprise there was a snow sculpture. Fittingly for a church, it was the dove of peace and the world.

Concluding The Evening Along The Canal Skateway

 Carrying on where I left off yesterday, another look at the Flora Bridge.

I zoomed in for this.

I carried on. A small stone arch bridge carries Queen Elizabeth Drive over an offspur of the Canal called Patterson Creek. This spot is open for skaters.

Another glimpse back at Flora.

The next bridge was ahead- the Pretoria Bridge.

Along the east side of the Canal, seen through the trees, is a Catholic high school.

A final look back at the Flora Bridge.

And on I went.

The Pretoria Bridge is a table bridge at the north end of the Glebe and Old Ottawa East, linking the two neighbourhoods. It's over a century old, dating to 1915. A table bridge is one where the centre section can be elevated as needed to allow for the passage of taller boats. It takes its name from the street it's on, which was itself named in honour of veterans of the South African War.

I looked back before heading up the stairs and departing the Canal. I will return to the Winterlude series after the theme day.

Perspectives From The Canal Surface

 I return today to Winterlude 2020 (this has been a long retrospective, and I swear, it doesn't look like this anymore). One day I was on the Bank Street Bridge and photographed the Canal, both east and west.

Down below, I took a shot of the bridge from the ice surface.

By contrast, the same view at night.

On another day I went for a walk on the ice on a bright sunny day. I started by accessing the Canal at Lansdowne.

My path led for the downtown, with the Flora Bridge gracefully spanning the Canal.

A short walk beyond is the inlet for Patterson Creek, which emerges from under this stone bridge and joins the Canal.

The ice is cleared up to an island in the background and counts as part of the length of the Canal skateway.

Coming back out, I looked back.

And then carried on, past the next bridge, the Pretoria Bridge.

Around the last bend in the Canal is this final stretch. The Corktown Bridge is another pedestrian bridge like the Flora, linking Centretown with Sandy Hill and the University of Ottawa.

My last view for today: from on top of the Corktown Bridge looking back where I'd come from.