Lead up to Canada 150

Several days before the 1st July we did a practice run to Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa.

               Preparations are underway for the 1 July

                  Few people are around today, a good chance to have a look around.

                        The stage.

                 Artists are rehearsing on stage today.

                    Kathy is ready for a cup of tea with the ladies.

    Rideau Canal built in the 1800's runs from Kingston to Ottawa

 During the 150th celebrations pleasure boats can use the canal for free.

                      The locks are closed and easy to cross.

 Very close locks as the canal approaches the Ottawa River, a steep decent.

The last lock at the Northern end of the Canal, the Ottawa River. Boats can do a circle tour from Montreal, through to Kingston, enter the canal heading north to Ottawa, and head down the Ottawa River to the St Lawrence back to Montreal.

After visiting the locks we wander over to the National Art Gallery.

 A beautiful building housing some of Canada's finest art, no pictures are allowed inside.

                                Fran met us Downtown, and was our tour guide for the rest of the day.

   Our next visit was Rideau Hall home of our Governor General. Unfortunately it was closed for the day, but we enjoyed walking  through the grounds with many trees being planted by visiting heads of state.