Canada Day

Canada Day was fun, tons of people downtown so you didn't get anywhere fast.

Lots of people wore red and white. We didn't have anything in those colours, but we had flags and pin badges.

A street performer on Sparks Street in a straight-jacket. There were quite a few different performers around, and lots of outdoor food stands and patios.

Outside the CBC TV building they were selling merchandise, including Coronation Street stuff which is a big show over here.

After consideration of both, Lucy hugged the seal.

Parliament Hill had a music stage. There were a few Canadian artists, so noone we really recognised, although BareNaked Ladies played, who we know from the UK. Later there was a fireworks display on the hill as well, but we missed that as it was quite late.




It was so busy everywhere! The Queen was kicking about somewhere as well, but we couldn't see her anywhere. We did see the Canadian Red Arrows, called the Snow Birds, doing formation flyovers and tricks with cloudy trails in the sky, which was very cool.

Patriotic dog.

Local bikers showing their bikes.

We went to a pub with a patio in the Byward Market for a bit. It took ages to get a seat, but we ended up in a nice place with a good view of the bands that played.

Jazzfest and other stuff

Ottawa's Jazzfest has been held in a park downtown for the last couple of weeks. We've seen little bits of it as we pass through there a bit.

A concert in a smaller tent. The drummer did a good solo.



An outdoor food court by a fountain.

One of the bigger tents in the park. Herbie Hancock played here one night.

A flat-faced kitty in a pet shop in Gloucester Mall (which we've heard pronouced Glow-ses-ter so many times! Not sure if it should be the same at Doctor Foster Gloucester over here).

Bulk Barn in the mall, where you buy everything from big bins, like a giant pick'n'mix. Really nice for things like chocolate pretzels, chocolate and yogurt raisins, dried banana's and other munchy snacks like that.


The lock by parliament at night.

Bits and pieces in June

Near our house is a bike recycling and restoration place with tons of bikes out the front in between the normal houses.


A metal moose at Art in the Park, in the Glebe area of town.

This week is RibFest on Sparks Street downtown. These vendors travel all over Canada and America for competitions for the best ribs and meats.

I had a pulled pork sandwich and bbq beans from this Texas-style place, very tasty.

Ottawa Earthquake 2010

On June 23rd there was a small earthquake,with the centre being Ottawa area. It was wierd and quite exciting, the ground shook and there was a loud rumble for about 20 seconds. It was measured at 5.0 on the Richter scale and was felt as far as Ohio in America.

This is outside where I work, loads of people came out all the buildings onto the street. The government buildings were all evacuated and the workers got to go home, but the stores like mine stayed open, d'oh.

There wasn't much visable damage. The news reported pictures falling off walls and a broken chimney pot, so nothing major. The windows cracked on some high rise buildings, like above.

BBQ at Angela and Charlie's.

Charlie making blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

Out in the garden for a bbq. Coco, Angela and Leni.


Dancing in the sunsine.

Marty sporting Wolverine chops.

Mojo loving stinky feet.

Tons of tasty food and barbecued meat and fish.


James and Coco salsa dancing.

The next morning, another delicious breakfast. Bubble and squeak and potato pancakes and bacon and eggs. We ate really well this weekend!

In Toronto for Victoria Day weekend.

We've come down to Toronto for the long weekend, to see Angela, Charlie and Leni.

Shoe shopping with Leni.

At Charlie's Adobo Cafe.


Mojo in a twisty position.

Dinner time at home.

WWE Smackdown

We went to see the wrestling being filmed at Scotiabank Place. They filmed 3 shows, so lots to see.

NXT, a 1 hour show. The arena is smaller than when we saw it in Toronto, so we were a bit closer.




Changing the ring aprons and ropes between shows.

Filming for Superstars.


Filming Smackdown, the main show.

Mexican wrestler Rey Mysterio, with pyrotechnics.


The massive Big Show.