Sat Jul 5 - Wed Jul 9th - Ottawa and Bluesfest

Sat Jul 5 - Jul 9th - Ottawa and Bluesfest

The Main 'Bell' Stage

The River Stage

Nice Perk for RBC Avion members

Waiting for Vintage Trouble

Up and out by 9:30am on Saturday, we drove straight to Ottawa and stopped only to switch drivers along the way. Great drive on a lovely sunny day. We arrived at Camp Hither Hills RV park at about 3:30pm and spent the evening after a quick supper researching how to get into Ottawa the next day. Hither Hills is a decent RV park, though showing some signs of neglect and wear... but will suffice well for the few days we are here and is about 20 minutes to the public transit system. unfortunately we forgot to take photos.. but it is basically a long RV park with one main path down the middle. The front area has a pool and reasonable washroom, and grassy spots. The middle appears to have mostly permanent or seasonal camp[ers and the back area is reserved for big rig pull-thrus with 50 amp service, which is where we were located (site G).

Vintage Trouble rocking

Here's to Ottawa Bluesfest

On Sunday we ventured out to the O Train and parked the truck in the commuter parking. With some help from someone heading in the same direction, we managed to negotiate the system and get a transfer bus from the train to Lebreton Flats Park where the Bluesfest was in full swing. We discovered much to our delight that RBC had a free outdoor lounge where we could (as Avion collectors) enjoy free soft drinks, ice cream and snacks. Happy as clams we stocked up and headed to the River stage to watch a band that has become a favourite of ours since we saw them opening for the Who in Nashville on the second day of our amazing RV adventure last year... Vintage Trouble. WHAT A GREAT BAND. Their live performance was fantastic. Energetic, talented and personable.. we both hope they continue their success so far and make the big leagues. They certainly deserve to. The lead singer Ty Taylor, is a phenomenal performer and had the crowd eating out of his hands... they were enthralled.  We bought the CD and had them sign it, but later listening was not as good as we hoped. Maybe their new album will reflect their improved professional musicianship.
We stayed to watch Lady Antebellum perform in the evening, They were great, but not an all time favourite of ours so we made our escape before the end so we could catch a 97 bus back to our car, which we did easily. What a wonderful, sunny music filled laid back day. The Bluesfest venue at Lebreton park is fabulous. The actual festival is well organized and the beautiful weather made for a fabulous event. Well worth going to in the future and spending more time... the acts they bring are top class. 

Downpour

Because we knew we were heading back to the Festival on Tuesday, we spent Wednesday doing a few errands and trying to get further on updating the blog. Trying to get photos uploaded using semi-reliable WiFi is a slow and frustrating process, and requires a great deal of patience, something Janice is not famous for!!!!

Soaked but happy

Styx Rocking

Lawrence Gowan

Gowan again

Mick Jones with Foreigner

On Tuesday we were disappointed to find that the weather forecast appeared to be accurate and we were in for some rain. We pottered around most of the day and left about 4pm. We opted to take the bus all the way down instead of the train as the bus took us directly to the LeBreton park stop which is only a 10 minute walk to the Festival. We were loaded with umbrellas and rain gear.. well prepared for the expected storms. And storm it did. Styx were delayed over half and hour waiting for a break in the deluge, that had soaked everyone waiting for the performance. We had bought expensive seats thinking that we would be closer and have a better view... this was not the case. Although it was pleasant at least having seats to hunker down on under our golf umbrella, we felt rather cheated that those people who had paid only regular admission had a much better view of the stage than we had, having paid more than twice the price. A learning experience and note to self... don't buy expensive seats for the Ottawa BluesFest.. total waste of money!!! Having grumbled .... I must say that we still had a great time despite the downpour. Soaked to the skin we  loved the Styx performance and the Foreigner performance... A neat surprise was when they brought Mick Jones on stage... Holy Toledo can that guy play guitar!!!!! So all in all a great day. Back to camp late but happy and wanting to come to Bluesfest again another year.

Tourists at Parliament Hill

On Wednesday we felt it was our duty as good Canadians to tour our capital city, so we once again jumped on the transit system (free all day for seniors ... so we only needed one fare!)... what a good idea!! 

Exercise nuts at Parliament Hill

I must say here that Ottawa Transit is superb. Every driver we encountered was friendly, courteous and helpful. The buses ran frequently and the transit-way is a marvel. Someone had the great idea to make a road dedicated only to transit... no stop signs, no traffic lights... just bloody brilliant!!! AND it is used .... busy day and night for good reason!!  Well done Ottawa!!!!

Outside the National Art Centre

KILL IT!!!!!!

The Mint

Anyway.. we spent the day exploring Ottawa. We went to the Mint.. which we were a little disappointed to discover only made commemorative and collector coins... no regular currency. But the tour was informative and interesting.. worth the visit. We wandered round the Byward Market and picked a neat deli for a bite to eat... salads and a shared "Croque Monsieur" a kind of toasted cheese thing with cheese baked on the outside of the sandwich and ham in the middle. We then went on a free tour of Parliament buildings. very interesting. Our favourite was the library, the only area to fully survive a fire in the early 1900's. It really is breathtakingly beautiful.  We also went up the peace tower. Heading back to camp late afternoon we felt we had got to know Ottawa better and totally enjoyed the city.

That Gold Bar is heavy!!!! I want one!!!

Explained !!

A quarter for your thoughts!!!!

Getting carried away!!

The story of the Mint

Lunch in Byward Market

Interesting info about the Women are Persons Act

Statues portraying  enactment

House of Commons

Queen Victoria.. arms are different lengths?

Why is Queen E's photo smaller than the rest???

THE SENATE --- How long for???

View from the Peace Tower

WE WERE THERE!!!

The clock on Parliament Buildings from the tower

The WEST WING !!!

Mon Jun 16 - Fri Jul 4th - Fifty point.. friends and family

Mon Jun 16 - Fri Jul 4th - Fifty point.. friends and family

June 16th through July 4th

Early morning at the cottage

We had a wonderful say at Fifty Point and have re-booked our return on August 18th so we will be back in time to see our self adopted niece (Vanessa and her lovely hubby and daughter Hung Bin and Ruby) . 

The bright spots of our couple of our few weeks were:

• It felt like home again
• Janice enjoyed the first weekend with Hillary and a few university of Guelph friends up at Hillary and Ted's cottage... canoeing, eating, swimming and drinking were the order of the weekend... great fun. Returning to Toronto we joined Derek and Ted at the condo for an amazing meal and great company!
• Spent a fair bit of time with Braden and Grant while we were home. SO good to be with them.
• Close to Diane, so we could see her a few times while we were in the area.
• Got to see lots of friends. Dinner with Pat and Doug -  pub night with Nick, Angela, Al and Tina and Braden - Brother Nick and Kathy came to Fifty Point for dinner -  lunch with Tiina (2) and her son Mychael - lunch in Burlington with Janice's book club pal Patt E. who looked after our truck so well while we were away.
• Sorted out various appointments and Janice had a good check up at the dermatologist. YEY!!
• GREAT Canada Day weekend at the camp with Braden and Grant,  it felt like a mini-vacation away, watching the various firework displays across the lake from Fifty Point was magical. Braden and Grant set up a tent on our spot and that worked out really well... playing guitar and chilling by the fire outside was a special memory.
• Trip up to Guelph with Diane to see Bernadette, Grayson and Preston.
• On Jul 1 we all  (B, G, D and J) went to the Marina for breakfast... excellent (especially interesting was the guy with 6 egg breakfast!.. apparently a regular!!!)



Chilling by the fire

• Spent a planning day and used Di’s laundry and internet for booking the rest of the summer... decided finally that we would go East for a month or so.. PEI and Cape Breton.

Great family times

Cheers Derek

Janice didn't lift a finger... well trained team!!

Braden taking a dip at Fifty Point

He made the farthest limit of the swim area

 Janice splashed around in the freezing water!!

After Brekky at the Marina Jul1

Happy to be with family

Sat Jun 14 Sun Jun 15 - back in Canada, Fifty Point Conservation area

Back in Canada, Fifty Point Conservation area

Saturday June 14th

Home day. John and Sue kindly drove us to Heathrow and goodbyes were sad, but glad we had some great times together.  One last English pint in England (at the airport) then off to sunny Toronto. It has been an amazing trip. Six weeks crammed full of adventures we will never forget. Dreams fulfilled and ticks on our bucket list. We are looking forward to getting home to Canada. We are so very lucky to call Canada our home, but this trip has also re-inforced how beautiful is the country of our birth.

Great flight back to Toronto, cab to Milton, picked up the truck at Patts and then drove to Al and Tina’s for the night. Great evening by Lake Apollo. Good company Al, Tina, Don, Linda, Rosco and Janice and the two of us, and the deck fireplace made it a wonderful, fun homecoming. Tired puppies when we finally hit the hay.

Sunday June 15th

Quick breakfast and then to get the condo out of storage. Over to Fifty Point Conservation area and set up with no problems. Good surprises..they have internet and great ice  cream at the marina!

So we are now settled for a few weeks and excited about seeing family and friends. 

The first stop was over to Diane's for a BBQ with the family. Good to see Diane Sam, Mya and Bella. It was father's day and we have spent this last 3 years with Diane and family and two of our boys. Braden and Grant arrived and were a big hit with the girls and a fun re-union. Great day all round. So good to see our two lads again... they looked great.

Wed Jun 11 - Fri Jun 13 - With Sue and John

Wed Jun 11 - Fri Jun 13 - With Sue and John

Wednesday June 11th

Aha Nordic Walking!! Derek was introduced to it by John and the Wednesday group.  Totally enjoyed the experience. Met the group at the Priory Marina and Country Park. They knocked off a brisk 3.5 miles. Janice and Sue did a short walk along the Priory wall and marina and we all met back at a pub for a latte.   Had a great country ride looking to find the pub that Janice and Derek remembered as selling the best Abbott ale (remembered from our trip last year). We had some trouble and visited one pub for lunch and a pint. We eventually found the Bell again. They said they had no Abbott Ale left, but  as we were about to leave disappointed they found a fresh cask and put it on. It is just as good as we remember. A great pint.

Great Pub for lunch, Ye Three Fyshes

 TV on back at the house, we watched the annual Mansion House speech by George Osborne, the finance minister and Mark Carney (Canadian now head of the bank of England). Very forthright and informative.

Still trying to remember the other pub

WHoo Hoo!! Found it .. THE BELL!! In Turvey

By the stream behind the Bell

Lovely morning walk!!

The beige hat club!!!

 








Thursday June 12th 
 Off to the English countryside again.The four of us walked around a very picturesque lake and park. We then went off to Olney and enjoyed a Latte at a lovely coffee shop, then visited the Cowper and Newton museum. What a great surprise, its very low key but very informative and historic. This village is where Amazing Grace was written by Newton, a former slave ship captain turned clergyman. He was instrumental in abolishing slavery. He and Cowper were good friends and co-operated in writing many hymns. The  garden was beautiful. FISH AND CHIPS TONIGHT.... YUMMYY!!!!

The Lake

Swans - always a beautiful sight

Cormorants nesting by the lake

See the blue cabbage flies ... there were thousands!

Cabbage flies stopping for a nano-second!!

One of my favourite photos.. Love my camera

 

Coffee shop in Olney... Nice!!

In Cowper's Garden.. he did much writing here!

Pinic lunch after Olney

Fishing? in a Toilet???

Friday June 13

Well this was packing day, how do we get all of this stuff into those airline bags. Secret....book an extra bag and pay the extra bag charge online!!!

We had a slap up meal at The Bedford Arms to say thanks to John and Sue....great food, who said the Brits can’t cook.... wow!!
No photos on the last day... just feeling both sad to be leaving, and excited about being home tomorrow.