Day 51 Ottawa – Rest Day.

Saturday night was a rather pleasant affair with some culture in evidence as we hit the town and went to the home of the Canadian Parliament to watch an outdoor Military Commemoration display. The bands of the RCMP and US Marine Corps were present plus a number of local singers to pay tribute to the armed services and in particular the Navy which is 100 years old this year.

Stealing shamelessly from the English the RCMP band is dressed like the Guards complete with bear skins. The show was quite good and the climax was a performance of the 1812 overture complete with artillery. The last post and the lowering of the flag plus both the US and Canadian anthems was quite moving, particularly as they dedicated that moment to the memory of the last WW1 Canadian Soldier who died a few weeks ago.

After the show we headed into town, just for a couple of beers , and then got the bus back to our accommodation at Carlton University.

The accommodation was very good, we stayed in one of the residences, which was quite posh with Internet, satellite TV, and hot and cold water!

Sunday dawned rainy and thundery, I got caught up with the blog and then one of the five star girls, Randy's wife, Jackie. picked me up and we all headed into town for some shopping and lunch. I went to MEC, a camping shop, and bought a new hockey bag to get my kit home as my current bag had been ripped to pieces. We were joined by Randy's son Mike and went for lunch and I tucked into liver and onions and mash, brilliant. The weather was foul, absolutely throwing it down, we had to wait about 5minsat MEC just for the rain to die down enough to run to the car. Despite the weather I was treated to a quick tour of the canal on the way back to the University. In the winter they drain the canal a little and people can skate on it; it's possible to skate for 8km right into the heart of the city.

Once back at my room I was able to Skype with Matt, Zoe and Lois and catch up, the girls had just got back from the Lion King in London and then I had to have a little nap before eating again.

Dinner was precooked chicken and salad in the rooms followed by Liverpool v Arsenal on the TV and an early night.

Onwards and Upwards