One of the most popular Winterlude activities is skating on the Rideau Canal, arguably, the longest skating surface in the world.
As a child, I wasn't a good skater, and the only way I could stop, was to intentionally skate into snowbanks. Here I was 40 years later, and my darling brother Darrell generously rented me skates ! YIPES !
Family members took turns holding my hands, as I gingerly took my first steps on skates in too many years. I was awkward, stiff, and mildly embarrassed at my ungainliness. I got a bit more confident and together we probably covered a couple of kilometers. Darrell had also rented a sled to carry our gear, and when I got tired I'd sit in it and get pushed along, like I was the Queen. Only I'm the sort of Queen who lies back and sticks her skate-shod feet out over the front of the sleigh.
 |
| The view from my royal carriage. That's Darrell skating ahead on the canal. |
After skating some more, and falling twice in the process, I finally packed it in, donned my boots, and divided my time between being pushed and walking.
The weather was lovely. It was about minus 2 C and sunny, with no wind.
 |
| It was lovely in the sunshine. I pretend (sorta) to sleep with my niece and nephew. That's my wonderful brother Darrell in back. |
Every couple of kilometers there would be refreshment stands selling hot apple cider, maple taffy and of course "beaver tails". Beaver Tails are a flat desert pastry, often topped with cinnamon but now available in cheese and garlic flavour too.
 |
Maple taffy.
Pour it on ice.
Roll on stick.
Enjoy !
$3.00
Surprisingly, under one of the bridges was an replica art display of historical portraits.
This young fella was happily sleeping in his sled. Yes. That is a REAL child.
Hold on. I still haven't shown you the snow slides, sculptures or the colourful kites ...
Sybil, it looks lovely. I guess I'll have to learn how to skate when I get out there. Love the beaver's tails! Yum. Really nice shots.
ReplyDeleteVicky xxx
Now that's my idea of skating! Being pushed in a sled! I too have wobbly ankles, arthritic knees and many a memory of a bruised bottom. And I can't stop anymore either. Imagine that, a Prairie kid not skating!
ReplyDeleteITC-1
Lynne, Skating just ain't worth it at this point. But we will have to find BeaverTails here ...
ReplyDeleteCarol, Skating is just not my thing.
Lovely photos! This just looks like a barrel of fun. When I was a kid, my mom bought me some figure skates and I tried to learn to do all that "stuff" with them. I loved the idea of it, soaring along over the ice with music in my head, spinning, pirrouetting....But alas, my ankles always caved in and I never got much beyond forward and backward skating. I've often wondered how it would go if I tried again. Maybe the skates are better now...like skis are so much better?
ReplyDeleteLinda, I called it ankle "flop over". Now the skates have rigid sides that make that impossible ... we were born too soon ... ;-)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, looks like you had a great time. I skated when I was young, but would be too frightened of breaking anything now. I broke my wrist just walking on the ice, the first winter we arrived in Nova Scotia. I prefer skiing, at least the snow is usually softer to land on.
ReplyDelete