A Day Off

That's what it was to be sort of — a day off, or at least off from celebrating our anniversary and on to other things. If it hadn't been raining, some cycling and gardening would have taken place. Alas, it was raining, so we puttered around in the morning and found ourselves babysitting in the afternoon and then staying over for supper. (I apologize in advance because this post is going to be prosaically chronological, but it is what it is; it's late and I don't have the energy to try to be interesting, but I want to get this posted for the record.)

Yesterday, however, we quite tuckered our little selves out. When I look back at it, I'm not sure why we were so tired by the end of the day, but we both were, even though we didn't get going until close to noon. We took the back route into Ottawa and drove along Queen Elizabeth Dr, beside the Rideau Canal to see the tulip beds. Surprisingly, because it's late the the year, most of the beds were still in pretty good shape and made quite a wonderful display on a beautiful, sunny spring day.

It's the final weekend of the annual tulip festival, but even though it's our fourth spring here, we've never made the jaunt into the city during this interval. There are all sorts of goings-on — concerts, lectures, performances etc — but we stuck with wandering around the parliament buildings and Byward Market, enjoying the weather and looking at tulips and people. Lots of people down there on a Friday, including lots of kids of school age. Go figure.

We usually park at the National [Art] Gallery and wander around from there. It's only a short walk to Majors Hill Park where we saw our first tulip bed (aside from those we had spied from the car on the drive in). So, I took Cuppa's picture, which shows that wonderful church in the background. I've been inside but can't recall it's name right now.



Here is a closeup of the purple and white tulips in this bed — in my faux art mode.



The same bed again from a distance with the National Gallery in the background.



We began to ambulate from Majors Hill to Parliament Hill and found some lilac bushes beginning to flower (with the parliament building in the background in this photo).



Once we got to The Hill we were a bit surprised that there weren't too many tulips there. But it makes sense because the large lawn must play host to The Changing of the Guard ceremony and the huge crowds that gather to watch the Canada Day concert and fireworks.



Well, we walked along the Spark Street Mall and over to the Byward Market where we browsed and people-watched and ate lunch at the Blue Cactus Cafe. There are many flower vendors at the market. I'm not sure who buys these flowers to lug around, but people must because the vendors are here year after year.



After a number of hours ambulating about the market we returned to our car and paid the $12 tab to leave the lot. We drove along the Riverside Parkway (no trucks, low speed limits) stopping once or twice to sit by the river and meander along the pathways. It was quitting time for the city workers and bicycle after bicycle whizzed by as we sat and looked about. In the following photo, Cuppa is walking along a path.



Next, we drove out of the Parkway to the lovely Andrew Haydon park, also along the river. As the gloaming and cooling began we enjoyed a picnic lunch while we watched people, ducks, geese and one groundhog eating from one lady's hand. We also looked to the horizon and enjoyed the view.



And that was the day. I don't know why, because it wasn't a terribly taxing day, but we arrived home a very tired four-decade couple.

So, it was good to relax a little today (Saturday), for we're off on another adventure tomorrow (Sunday). Stay tuned.

The Anniversary Weekend Begins ...

... on Wednesday if you please ...

Because Mom had to keep an appointment with Nikki Dee, we began the day by taking care of Zachary. He was his usual boisterous self; in other words, he emitted tiny peeps on occasion. He was brought in napping, so we just left him in his car seat in the front porch until he awoke. Then, of course, I had to hold him and talk to him. How I hate that!



After which Cuppa posed him for some pics on a baby quilt made by a dear friend. We have photos of Nikki Dee on this blanket too.



When appointments were done, Mom and Nikki Dee dropped by for lunch, and during this interval, Cuppa performed yet another version of The Miracle of getting the girl down for a nap. She's seems to be the only one who can accomplish this miraculous feat during the day although the rents manage fine at night. Go figure.

When she arose from her slumbers, she was more than pleased to assist with some gardening. After adding a bit of topsoil to our two little beds, we planted some impatiens, and then watered diligently. This was the point at which ND decided that I required overseeing.





So far, I know Wednesday must seem like an ordinary day, but what could be better than spending time with the grands on one's fortieth anniversary weekend? Then, the kids had us over for dinner, and the girls skyped in from Vancouver, and Cuppa and I were bestowed with gifts including the basket below.




Yesterday, Thursday, we continued our sojourn into the celebratory albeit a little late because the weather was atrocious until mid afternoon. At that time, we turned our heads towards the city to catch the Star Trek movie, which Cuppa loved and I found okay. It was well done, but I think that although sci fi action flicks are Cuppa's cuppa, I don't think they're exactly my cuppa: okay but not glorious if you know what I mean.

Regardless, a movie with popcorn and Coke followed by fantastic nachos at Kelsey's followed by a visit to Chapters followed by a fortieth anniversary snuggle is good. Very good.