Winterlude!

Every year we make a pilgramage to Ottawa for two major events, Canada Day and Winterlude. Winterlude can be a truly magical experience if the weather co-operates. If it doesn't, it can be a bloody cold event. Fortunately, we experienced the former during this annual trek as the sun was shining and the temperature was ~10C (positively balmy for Ottawa).

We visited the ice sculptures.




















And, we skated 12 km on the canal, the world's largest skating rink.

On our last evening in Ottawa we went for dinner at the home of Andrew's oldest friend, James and his wife Nancy. I must give these guys credit for being able to maintain a friendship for 30 years despite a 500km distance. It was nice to see their two lovely blond children again.









Later we sampled some truly wonderful italian wines with a delicious meal while Andrew and James discussed camera merits.

Nancy and Andrew playing with the camera

Our only regret about this weekend is that we missed the opportunity to go NIGHT cross country skiing in the Gatineau Park with our friends Stephanie and Ted. As per Ted's email to us the following day, " You missed a fun time. It was ~21C in Ottawa on Saturday night and probably a few degrees colder in Gatineau Park. The ski into the cabin was longer and more uphill than I remembered (or maybe we're just more out of shape than we thought)? We had a great time with lots of food, hot chocolate, wine and beer. Steph & I were the last to leave and it was quite neat skiing by ourselves at 1:30am in the dark, through the park. Except that our eyelids were frozen when we got to the car. But a fun time, and hopefully you can make it next year."

Ted...you can count on it. One of the reasons why we came to Ottawa one day later than planned was because it was Jamie Campbell's surprise 40th Birthday Party. And since Jamie's birthday isn't until May 20th, it was truly a surprise!!!! (Alison decided to have it now because Jamie will be on the road touring with the Blue Jays in May).