Ottawa Aug. 4/12

This weekend is not only busker fest, but also Riedeau fest.  Lots of stuff is going on at the 8 locks and at Dows Lake.

A fellow was building this clay oven, drying it out.  On Monday he plans to bake bread and hand out samples.

This wedding party even came for photos.

We took a double decker bus tour, where you could hop off and on.  One of the stops was by this statue of Maurice "Rocket" Richard.

My favorite place to stop was at the Stables where the horses of the RCMP Musical Ride are kept.  Of course they are touring Canada right now, but there are lots of "trainees" in the barns.  All of the horses must be black - they can have a LITTLE bit of white on their faces or feet.  They must be within a few inches of the same height, and a few hundred pounds of the same weight.  They must also be quiet, etc.  The riders can volunteer after 2 years of regular work - most of them have never been on a horse.  It was facinating to hear all of this stuff!  And I loved seeing the horses!

This is the indoor arena where they train.  There are mirrors all around, to get the horses used to movement, and for the riders to check their own and the horse's posture.

An outdoor arena.

As we waited for the bus, this squirrel entertained us.  He had the most beautiful tail, and I swear he knew it!  He kept posing and flicking his tail all around.

24 Sussex Dr., home of the Right Honorable Stephen Harper.  You couldn't really see the house for all the trees etc around it.

This, on the other hand, was right there for all to see - the home of his personal body guard.

This is a floating marina on the Ottawa River that we stayed at several years ago.

And THIS, my friends is an example of where your tax dollars go.  3 1/2 million dollars for this beautiful creature!

And speaking of your tax dollars, this is the building where they go to be dispersed.  I forget what it is called.

We visited the Ornamental Gardens by the Experimental Farm - didn't have time to visit that.

It was SUCH a hot day - Paul cooled his feet in the pond.

I'm always chasing bees, beetles, or whatever.

Back at Sparks St Mall, where the buskers were at work, and where we caught the bus.

The tomb of "The Unknown Soldier" beside the War Memorial.

We love this wolf painting on the stairs........

.....and another one as well.

"The girls" having tea.

.....and yet some more entertainment.