Monday, January 11, 2010

On The Hill

On a fine frosty Friday we were visiting blogger Lorna and Dave. They live cheek-by-jowl with downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill. Actually it wasn't Friday, but Saturday isn't alliterative with fine and frosty.

Although temperatures were near the Fahrenheit zero and were aided and abetted by a cold wind, these four seemingly silly Canuckleheads decided that it was a perfect day for a walk. In point of fact, it was nearly perfect because we were all so bundled that we felt no pain.

We decided that since we were in the neighbourhood, we should see if we could go inside the Parliament buildings and ascend the Peace Tower. The photo (below) shows the tower the other three walking toward it. Actually it only shows two as Cuppa was mostly behind the tree.



At the door (more or less), Cuppa snapped me with the fluorescent couple. I was sceptical that one could just walk up to the centre of government on a whim on a cold Saturday and request admission, but after a quick security scan we were on our way up the elevator to the Peace Tower lookout. I think that's pretty neat. O Canada, eh?



Looking north, we see the roof of the library, the Ottawa River, and the province of Quebec.



The library is quite beautiful both within and also without as this closer shot of the roof might suggest.



I thought some of my America friends might like to see the US embassy (outlined). I presume it's functional inside as it's not exactly stunning from the outside. Note the long shadows cast by the Parliament Buildings, due to low afternoon sun plus the fact these buildings are on a bit of a hill.



The next photo looks down on the south side where I've outlined the people in circles (for scale) and a snow message in the rectangle. If you click on the photo, you should be able to see the larger words, Spinach, and Sweden. Why? I have no idea.


After our fine little outing, we headed back to the warmth and hospitality of Lorna and Dave's condo. We were treated to fine food, drink and fellowship. We played a game of Boggle after dinner, where Dave proved he was much smarter than the rest of us. In fact, he may have scored more points that we other three of us combined.

PS: This is Lorna's blog, and here is my post of our first meeting this past summer.

17 comments:

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

Great views. Not many tourist so it was a good day to visit and go up the Peace Tower. I must do that some day.

I would love to visit the parliamentary library. I aways loved the story of it not burning when the buildings burned down because someone took the time to close the big doors.

I am glad there was no great security hassle getting in. Parliament belongs to the people and should be accessible.

Besides, it was probably too cold for a quick body cavity search :)

Anonymous said...

AC,
You have made my day. These are great shots. That library is quite a structure.... Thanks for sharing your winter day outing!! The Bach

Mary said...

AC,

Lovely shots from the Peace Tower. It's time we visited the Parliament Buildings. Jordan has a desire to come to Ottawa, but I think the madness to his method is to see a Senator's game. I'm thinking we'll visit in warmer weather.

Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed your photos.

Blessings,
Mary

Jinksy said...

That's one fancy tower rooftop there. What a shame the only ones who could see it up close are the birds...

Anonymous said...

Right my thought exactly about the birds. I been trying to take pictures of live birds all day today for FSO and as soon as I approach they all fly away. Gotta try something else. Did enjoy the photo story.
QMM

Bernie said...

I have been here a couple of times but always in the heat of summer with many tourist mingling about. We do have beautiful Parliament buildings and their restaurant serves delicious food....also embassy row was much prettier during the summer but I so enjoyed the winter view.....:-)Hugs

MARY G said...

lovely shots! I haven't been up there for so long -- I must go, since you have whetted my appetite.
Hey, dandy cold blue decorations you have up around here.

Mara said...

Perhaps the words in the snow are the winter equivalent of crop circles? Nobody knows who made those and why either...

Diana said...

Perhaps a homesick Swede had a taste for spinach! The buildings were beautiful AC, but they did look cold as do you in your profile picture!
Love Di

Janet said...

Yep - typical American governmental building construction. But the library is lovely. What a fun day!

Lucy said...

I'm embarrassed to say that I've been to the local Ottawa stock car track many times, but never traveled in to see the parliament buildings! Does that make me a bad Canadian?

Kila said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. :)

Garnetrose said...

Some lovely shots there. Looks like you had a wonderful time. You do seem to enjoy life and your blogs are a blessing to me at times. *s*

Anonymous said...

This sounds like such a good time!! Love the photos.

Teena in Toronto said...

Lorna told me to stop by!

Did you go see the Stray Cats on the Hill?

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Lorna sent me, too. So now I know who Anvilcloud is. What spectacular photos. As a Californian who has never been in Ottawa, I'm mighty impressed. It looks cold though.

DHV said...

What an fabulous view, and that tower is quite amazing. It looks as if everything is completely frozen, you must have been so cold.