Toronto to Ottawa.

Well we got up early enough and left half an hour earlier than intended, and just as well too. What apauling traffic going into Toronto. A journey Patrick said should take 5 mins took more than 2 hours. My eyes fixed on the CN tower as we approached the city but just didn't seem to get nearer! Then suddenly we were there, and I had to leap out, as Patrick could only drop me off. Anyway it avoided a prolonged goodbye and I dashed in to find where the departure was from, then seeing there was a long queue headed to the washrooms. As I was in car 1 I had a longer walk, and fortunately the attendant helped me with my luggage. The trains are really high and they put a small step to help you up. It's quite a clamber!
I found myself next to a lovely older lady who had been visiting her son; she got out at an earlier Ottawa stop. The train really belted along  and arrived on time.
No sooner had we got on than the drinks trolley arrived; 11am was a bit early for me but the attendant got my coffee after he had finished his rounds.  Then later served lunch with a choice, and by this time I was happy to have wine.

On arrival, I checked my departure arrangements. Fortunately this time it's only a 10 minute taxi ride.  My taxi driver was quite chatty suggesting useful ideas for exploring  and I was greeted by the doorman at the hotel.  The Lord Elgin is a bit posh and I think $20+ for breakfast is the steepest price yet. So having brought some little muesli packets from Patrick's, I decided to seek out the supermarket.  I now have my mental list of questions ready for arrival, water, map, Wi-Fi, breakfast, so having gathered the information I settled in and went to explore. 

There is a canal walk a short distance away, but I made the mistake of taking the road on the wrong level, so went through the shopping centre and came down to the lower level. However this all came in useful later on and helped eith my orientation. I found the gallery and enquired about the time needed as well as getting a

brochure, then I went over the road to the rather OTT cathedral. From here I found the Byward market area which will definitely be on my list tomorrow, maybe for lunch. My search for a supermarket was a bit challenging. First I found a Polish supermarket, then a gourmet grocer, but neither of them had what I  wanted.  So I decided to search the area on the other side of the hotel. This contained ethnic shops and restaurants, rather a lot of down and outs and lots of roadworks. But lo and behold there was a mini market. When I came out, I visited  the Meow cafe for a pear tart and tea, although it  looked like Capuccino. It was an oriental cafe and I think  the  milk was heated and whisked, different. Perhaps it's the drink Buchart gardens called London Fog.

I returned to the hotel for a swim, then a little snack from my shopping. 

The next  morning I left just after 9am and returned after 7pm, am not sure where the time went. I had decided I wasn't making a route march of it and I would let the day lead me. I was early so walked along the canal. At the end I met someone putting up signs and gang planks for the boats so made an enquiry. I did return. Then having popped up some steps to the road, the ticket booth for my bus trip magically appeared. I zipped off for a quick coffee, well that was the intention. However the arts centre cafe was very slow, and I almost got overlooked!

Once on the bus I settled in for the tour until we arrived at the art gallery enjoying the sights en route. 

The parliament building. The Tower is called the Peace Tower. Apparently you can put your name down to have the flag when it comes down, in about 70 years time!

The war museum, the little windows on the roof spell out Lest we Forget, in Morse code. There is some amazing architecture here. The history museum is shaped like an upturned canoe. 

The entrance to the art gallery.

Depictions of historical scenes

Including logging,

Traditional costumes

Modern works, this one reminded me of the many forests I passed through.

Inuit paintings....I love the simplicity and dignificance of these. I read that these people don't like the area being called a wasteland, as to them it is full of colour.

After this I walked back to see the Rideaux waterfalls but actually got a better view on the boat cruise tonight.

  From here I walked to Byward market to find lunch.  I turned down side streets, and it is here you often see pretty little houses.

And arrived at the market which had amazing fresh produce, pity I bought mine yesterday.

Halloween preparations.

I loved the little pots of mixed berries at $3.

I then went in search of a replacement travel handbag, as mine broke yesterday and ended up getting something worthwhile.  That meant a thorough search of all its pockets before discarding it!

I returned to the gallery for the bus and to complete the circuit, which took us out to Lansdowne park and the lake which becomes an ice rink in the winter.  When I got to the end of the tour , I was just in time to walk down for a boat cruise to complete my day. This gave a completely different  perspective of the city.

Next , another train,  to Montreal for three nights, another city to explore. Arrived at station, completely different system.  Here I do book my luggage in, and after  buying coffee, I discover there's a business lounge with free coffee. Well at least I was able to leave my rucksack safely whilst I went in search of my hotel voucher, dropped as I moved from one counter to another.  Less impressed by the person who asked me to move because their group needed the seats, only to see they wanted to spread out.  Obviously the snooty end of business class.  Got chatting to young chap from Jersey with a lot of luggage in the baggage queue!   His excuse was travelling for three and a half months.  Actually however long I was travelling, I could manage perfectly well with what I have. 

Brunch and coffee have been served and we are again passing through countryside with fields, crops and livestock that could almost be England.