Bonjour et bievenue à Ottawa

I am sitting on the indoor balcony in our hotel room, looking west out over the Ottawa River from the 31st floor, and it's a lovely sight. 





We've now had 3 full days in Ottawa and it feels so full of promise.  Our hotel is marvellous - the sort of place you'd design if you were asked to develop a hotel - 2 bedrooms, laundry, full kitchen, huge pool and gym with outdoor garden - all in the downtown area.  But probably the best thing has been the free use of the hotel's bikes (and helmets).


We've had a bike ride every day, exploring the city, which is generously supplied with bike paths.


First stop just had to be the Rideau Canal.  We went again today and saw lots of boats (the "pleasure craft" kind) go through the locks

The middle pic is looking up the Canal, with the Chateau Laurier hotel in the background (the tents are for the Rideau Canal festival this weekend), and the one on the right is looking over the Ottawa River to Quebec.


We rode along the canal, had lunch at a pub along the way, and almost made it as far as Old Ottawa South, which will be our home from tomorrow.


Here's another lovely shot:

Another excursion has been to Parliament Hill, complete with the Changing of the Guard. We haven't made it to any of the museums yet (Ottawa has a lot of them, all are meant to be very good), so we satisfied ourselves with a do-it-yourself-tour of the Parliament grounds (John and I dutifully visiting each numbered marker in order and reading the narrative in full; the kids pretty much ignoring the whole thing).  There are lots of statues of various historical political figures, a good look at the outside of the buildings, and a great view over the river (again!).

You can't see from this photo, but the Ceremonial Guard contained an assortment of ethnicities/colours etc, some in kilts, which is not something I'd expect to see in Aust.  I've been struck by how diverse so many aspects of Canadian life are - newsreaders and the military are two good examples - which is not something we've yet achieved.


We are definitely ahead on coffee though - haven't really sought it out (yet) but it's all Americano in vacuum jugs and thermoses so far.


We have found it pretty easy getting around - Ottawa isn't that big, and downtown is a grid layout (also helped by all my sessions on google maps looking for a place to live, so that I knew my way around before getting here!).


Tomorrow we move into our house - for 3 weeks anyway, then we move out again for 10 days while the owner clears out her furniture (to be replaced by some of our own we hope!!), and back in for our 12 month lease at the beginning of September. We drove through the area the other day and it seems every bit as picturesque and neighbourly as we hoped.


I've forgotten to mention how bilingual it is - French spoken everywhere, and not just by Quebecian tourists.  I assumed that we would be hearing English on this side of the river, and french on the other, but clearly this is not the case.  Apparently there has always been a mixture of English and French speakers in this area.  My resolve to learn French is only strengthened!


Our photos are now in a new google "album" - here is the link (including one of the first Mountie we've seen). http://picasaweb.google.com.au/116318753018235411081/FirstDaysInOttawa#


Bye for now, A