Day 8

Confederation Boulevard and Gatineau (Hull)

This was the only day Tini had to look around Ottawa (never be envious of when people go to international meetings or conferences, all too often they never have a chance to even see what the place is like), and our last day as were travelling back that night. We started the day by introducing Tini to Cora’s (I told you I liked the place) before exploring some of the Rideau Centre and then walking a 5Km circular route, first via Sparks Street and then following “Confederation Boulevard“, a ceremonial route linking key attractions on both sides of the Ottawa River, in Ottawa and Gatineau, Quebec).

Walking down Sparks Street was purely for Tini to have her opportunity to look at the Canadian craft shops and to show her a few of the things I had noted. We continued as far Bay Street, before joining the Confederation Boulevard route where Bay Street and Wellington Street join. If it had been a wet day this may not have been a pleasant walk (in fact we’d probably have not done it), but it was good if not cold weather offering good views up and down Ottawa River as we crossed it via Portage Bridge and Victoria Island where there are the remains of Thomas “Carbide” Wilson’s Carbide Mill. There were also good views of the Canadian Parliament Buildings and the National Gallery of Canada.

Gatineau in Quebec is on the other side of the river and used to be called Hull, in fact its been recent enough that the buses still state Hull as their destination. The uniquely designed Museum of Civilisation is on the Rue Laurier, and certainly something we felt deserves a closer look as we browsed around inside and the boutique, but on this occasion we felt we did not have the time to do justice to it and the $10 entrance fee.

With our flight due that evening we gave plenty of time to get to the airport and wait. As it turned out a mechanical failure meant the flight was delayed by 4 hours after an aircraft from Toronto was flown in. Considering the speed of service at the ByWard Tavern, the only place to eat with its own dedicated seating in the departure lounge, you’d need those extra 4 hours. Not a place to go to if you have anything less an hour to wait for the flight and even that might be pushing it!

Incidentally for those of you who have been told of the tax rebate on non consumable goods over $50, this has now been stopped (as of 1 April, 2007) so don’t bother sorting out your receipts.