Canada and Australia share many things. They are both VERY BIG, don't have large populations, are reasonably affluent, love sports, have some what similar histories, fought the same wars, and they share the Westminster System of Government that they inherited from England.
AND because of THAT they share POLITICIANS. Wonderful and caring when speaking out on the injustices of the world, wise when they speak of the common good for all, good to their constituents AND whether it be Stephen Harper or Julia Gillard or Michael Ignatieff or Tony Abbott or any of the leaders of the other parties, all of them can always do it much better than the other mob. But meeting politicians wasn't the reason for our next trip!!!!!
Canada and Australia both have beautiful Capital Cities and Ottawa was our next destination. Canberra's climate in winter is reasonably cold but Ottawa's is b@##%* freezing, but then again we are in Canada. And we also were going to Winterlude http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude/ . And for us to skate along the Rideau Canal http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude/rideau-canal-skateway/ .
But the main reason for us travelling to Ottawa was to meet up and stay with our friends Sharon and Jim who we stayed with in the summer of 2007 when temperatures were in the high 30's. They were good host's then and were equally good host's this time. It was a fun weekend and they were great hosts.
To get to Ottawa we were faced with a 6 hour drive on winter roads and winter roads in Canada can set a few challenges. We were warned of these by our friends Peter and Leslie who were (understandably) concerned about a couple of Aussies heading off at night through Algonquin Park on a snowy night.
We had "Mrs Garmin" our CuRVy and a good driver to get us there and none of them let us down although "Mrs Garmin" told us she was RECALCULATINGGG a few times until we agreed on the route we were travelling. The trip was fine albeit a little snowy to start with and we arrived at Sharon and Jim's at around 9.30pm. Time for a drink and a catch up before bed.
The next morning we were looking forward to another winter Carnival and this time with us we were going SKATING! The view of the back yard was a little different to the green area we had BBQ'd in on a muggy night in August 2007, as was the temperature.
But we were "hot to trot", maybe not the most appropriate saying for Winterlude but we were keen and we mounted the TRUCK!!!! Makes the CuRVy look little doesn't it!!!! And Jim's truck is even a really big one and the amazing thing was just how comfortable it was to travel in.
But our main agenda for the day, apart from seeing Ottawa and Winterlude, was to take on the 14km of the Rideau
Canal and with my incredible balance skills I was ready to skate. After all it doesn't look hard for the Hockey Players we watch on the TV so for us I'm sure it will be a breeze. So we laced up
Andddddddddddd we were up up and awayyyyyyyyy
So in all of this where was the "master of athleticism and balance" ????????? Where else but
Ohhh well it's lucky I have Julie and my friends. The sleds are available to rent and with the help of Julie and Jim a couple of people who are somewhat limited by MS were able to join the thousands who skate on the Rideau Canal each winter. Oh and we weren't alone as thousands skate every day it is frozen. The ice is maintained by the City and people of all sizes and ages come and enjoy....
Luckily we had to quality of pushers
Maybe they're thinking of the four person Bobsled in 2014. I'm sure I'd be a good driver!!!!!
The rest of the day was for sightseeing which was made much easier for Julie by having a driver and not having to rely on Mrs Garmin and Mr Frost for directions. Ottawa is a lovely city summer or winter and I'm sure this won't be our only trip for 2011. Jim and Sharon are such lovely hosts.
And no trip to the nations capital would be complete without
Our Ottawa Senators!!!!!!!!!!!!!
some interaction with .....
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