 |
| The Parliament Buildings are at the back left of this photo and on the right the famous, Chateau Laurier Hotel. |
Unlike last year, this year, I didn't join the skaters on the canal, and I'm OK with that.
Instead, my brother Darrell, and I checked out the ice sculpture area. Some of the carved pieces were very ornate. Unfortunately there had been some unseasonably mild weather last week, with the result that some of the carvings were a shadow of their former selves. Still they were lovely.
 |
| Darrell |
What do you think these are ?
Colourful blocks of ice, for children to use as building blocks.
Not everything was made of ice.
 |
| Korean "lantern" tunnel |
 |
| I was born in the year of the Tiger. |
There was a separate area where amateur ice sculptors could show off their talent.
Wait.
Who's that in the red snow suit in the background ?
Holy mackerel ! It's none other than the famous Canadian celebrity, Rick Mercer. He was allegedly trying his hand at ice carving for an upcoming episode of his TV show, The Rick Mercer Report.
It was a wonderful surprise addition, to a day that was already going really well.
Who's a lucky girl ?
Holy mackerel ! It's none other than the famous Canadian celebrity, Rick Mercer. He was allegedly trying his hand at ice carving for an upcoming episode of his TV show, The Rick Mercer Report.
One minute he was clumsily chipping away at a block of ice, and the next, he was proudly showing off the magically completed, work.
It was a wonderful surprise addition, to a day that was already going really well.
Who's a lucky girl ?
Wow, you got to see some really cool stuff - appropriate choice of adjective there, no? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think skating on that canal must be great fun! I love ice skating and rarely have the opportunity to go do it.
Karma, wish I could skate better myself. I'm so nervous about falling that I just don't enjoy it.
DeleteThe canal is a marvellous place to skate as every km. or so there are rest stops and hot chocolate and "Beaver Tails" and all sorts of yummy HOT treats to eat.
Sounds like you had a great time at the Winterlude festival – I love that wordplay in that name. You northerners certainly know how to bundle up and keep busy and actually enjoy being outside in the cold!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, winter can be lovely when it's one or two below C and sunny. But gawd it was bitter TODAY. minus 25 with the wind chill. But yes, the festival is lovely and fun.
DeleteA complete day with so much to do and see.Beautiful ice sculptures. Those guys are good.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. They did some amazingly beautiful work.
DeleteThanks for the pics Auntie. I'll send you mine today. It was great to see you this weekend and I hope we can actually make it to Nova Scotia sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see you too Keith & Co. Much love,Auntie S.
Deleteyour post makes me miss Ottawa! Glad to see you are having such a good time!
ReplyDeleteSara, Ottawa is a lovely city, but that will be my last February visit. I think next year I'll aim for Tulip Festival time. :-)
DeleteI never managed to get to Ottawa for the Winterlude festival so I'm glad to see it from my computer. Ouch minus 25!
ReplyDeleteI think I was also born in the year of the Tiger. :D
Minus 25 is definitely an ouch. But you can see how many people still come out to skate in that weather.
DeleteI was born in 1950. 1962. 1974. 1986. Also where. Pick one. :-)
YOU were the lucky girl, Sybil! Winterlude sounds like a wonderful festival. Would put our wee little festivals to shame, methinks. Glad you had fun--and showed us all the cool pics.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really get a kick out of the ice sculptures and the canal. And the cold wouldn't bother you unlike others.
DeleteLooks like a great place to go for a winter trip - Ottawa looks amazing and what a number of skaters!!! Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to visit for a winter festival. I was amazed at the number of skaters, they certainly come out in force! Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your messages Jackie.
DeleteWonderful post. To me it was very interesting to see photos from Ottawa. I enjoyed ice carvings. In Finland they are popular here and there, but my favorite place in the small town of Kemi in which every winter there is
ReplyDeleteWorld’s Biggest Snow Castle.
These photos are from last year.
Thanks for stopping by Sartenada. We also have an ice hotel in Canada. It is located in Quebec. http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/ I've never visited it, but I sure would like to ...
Delete