HWW Ottawa Tour - July 2nd - July 7th 2009

Well, whose brilliant idea was it to keep a blog?

This would have worked very well had I managed to get Internet connection each night or at least occasionally. However, Bancroft is in such a valley surrounded by rocks that I could not get connection their and surprisingly a University Campus had no Wireless. Oh well, I will have to count on my untrusty memory for the details. Anybody, who was with us on the tour, please feel free to correct me.

We’ll start with the weather – in a word. YUCK!!! Rain, grey and clouds every day but Sunday. For those of us without windows and who do not like side-curtains or ducky suits it made for a damp few days, but the weather did not dampen the fun.

Other than that though I thought it was an excellent tour. This is the first long tour we have been on with the club, other than a night or two at Sterling and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. As Bill mentioned in his overview – collectively we drove about 12,000 miles in 80 year old cars with only one broken fan belt, one disconnected plug wire and a couple of hot engines in the whole group. Pretty good.

Thursday July 2nd
An early start to meet John and Judy and travel to meet the rest of the crew in Alliston for an 8:45 drivers meeting. After a quick flat tire change we made it on the road and in time for the meeting. We hit the road at 9:00 sharp(ish) and toured our way along the back roads, picking up a few model A’ers on the way. Our first stop in Atherly for gas a toilet break, was the first chance to chat with friends old and new before back in our cars and off to club members Ray and Barb’s for lunch. What a beautiful home they have and I am sure the setting is even more breathtaking than we saw. The rain let up for a bit but not for long as we enjoyed a wonderful lunch, great company and conversation.


Back on the road we continued along some beautiful scenic roads to Bancroft. Norm and Sue met us just east of Tory Hill and took us on a lovely tour to our first nights stay at the Bancroft Motor Inn.


It took a while for everyone to check in, but we all managed to do so and get unpacked before heading across the street to Rosa’s place for dinner.


Bill and Sue handed out patriotic goody bags to all with our required name tags, tickets and other goodies, while we enjoyed a good meal.


Back at the hotel we gathered outside chatting and catching up till the mosquito’s were no longer bearable then off to room 311 (guess who’s room) to continue the commorodary. The crowd dwindled down to a few and finally even we had to turn in for the night. After all – next day – our nation’s capital.


Day 2 – Friday July 3rd.

A slight change to schedule as Dan and Sandra met us at the hotel after breakfast and took us on a behind the scenes tour for their family saw mill. What an interesting experience this was to hear and see how the lumber is harvested and brought to the mill and to see all the process that go from making these majestic tree’s into planks or ground up for fiberboard. We really got into the Mill and saw things that the general public would never get a chance to see. Thank you Dan and all the workers at the Mill for putting up with us going through your place of business.



After that we continued to head east along some beautiful hilly, windy perfect model A roads to our lunch stop at Pine Valley Restaurant.


We all enjoyed one of our favourite things – FOOD, as well as the owner stepping out from behind the counter, grabbing his guitar and serenading us with some music and lots of energy. Very enjoyable. We were also met up by some more Model A’ers joining in on the tour.
After filling up, it was back on the road and on our way to Ottawa. ETA – rush hour Friday afternoon. Right on target as we stopped and started our way up Carling Avenue around 3 in the afternoon. The instructions were easy, “Left on Carling – stay in centre lane if possible to Bronson – Left on Bronson to Catherine – Right on Catherine” Opps :-) Catherine is one way street, and right was not an option. Luckily corner cars work and we saw Sue up a head guiding us to where we should be.


Arriving at the residence tired but happy, everyone got checked in and ready for dinner, with the Capital A’s at Fieldhouse Bar and Grill. A lovely drive along the Rideau and once again good food and company.


A tired but well fed group headed back to residence where we, OK Tiff, discovered the 7th floor had a roof top patio. Well what a great place to sit back and enjoy an evening of wine, beer, “black fly” and of course lots of laughter and stories.


Saturday July 4th – Happy Independence Day :-)
After getting a nice line up of cars along the driveway for a roof top photograph we were off to “the Hill” for changing of the guard. Lots of pomp and circumstance, one funny moment but over all disappointment. The funny moment came when the band started playing what is known to me as the theme song for “Monty Pythons Flying Circus” also known as “Liberty Bell”. Out of one of the construction trailers to the side came two construction workers doing a “phythonesque” dance. Very entertaining and quite a surprise during such a staunch event. However, although it was the 4th of July, and US guests were present as well as some US Marines, it was fitting that “God Bless America” and “Star Spangled Banner” were played it was completely unacceptable that neither “Oh Canada” nor “God Save the Queen” were played. Despite many complaints that the Queen remains head of state in Canada, she is. Without exception ALL government events should have the British Anthem played, as well as Oh Canada. Why do we constantly bow to other countries in turn forgetting our own patriotism? OK I’ll step off my soap box, however I was pleased to talk to others after and find that my feelings were not alone in this matter. As club secretary an official letter will be sent on behalf of the club stating our disappointment.


Soooo – after the changing of the guards, a little free time where we walked to the War Memorial and around town before having lunch at Darcy MacGee’s Irish Pub .. YUM YUM YUM. Time to walk off too much food as we made our way to the By-Ward market, where Jim obviously had not had enough food and enjoyed the not so world famous but still delicious Beaver Tail.
Time to head back to residence and get ready for our tour of Rideau Hall, which is the governor General (Representative to the Queen) official residence. A beautiful home, on lovely grounds. We noticed through town as well as all over Rideau Hall the Japanese flag flying (thankful so was the Canadian) apparently the Emperor and Empress of Japan were arriving the next day and were having a banquet at Rideau Hall. We all enjoyed our tour around the non-residential part of the home and had a chance for a quick peek at the rose garden’s and reflecting pool before leaving.


Back downtown to our underground parking spots and to the Victoria Building on Wellington Street, where we were greeted by Senator Lorna Milne (club member) lots of “Senate” Wine, and a wonderful buffet dinner. A special Thank-You to Dave for the lovely roses he bought for all the ladies :-)


Did you know that every year the speaker of the senate holds a wine tasting (all Canadian wines) for the Senators, and they vote on which red and white they enjoy the most. The wine with the most votes gets made into the official wine of the Senate and bottled and labelled by the winery. I must say as far as the white wine was concerned they made an excellent choice and I am now proud to have at home an empty bottle with its beautiful label.


Senator Milne, explained to us how the head of the RCMP and other higher ups did not want to allow the Model A on “the Hill” for security reasons “NO CARS ON THE HILL” finally through her persistence she asked the Speaker of the Senate – the Hon. Noël A. Kinsella and he said “of course, if we don’t – the terrorists DO win” Thank you Senator Kinsella for not bowing to the powers that be and allowing us to bring our Model A’s onto Parliament Hill.


Again back to the residence to turn in but not before introducing a few more people to our Roof Top patio for drinks and again lots of laughter.


Sunday July 5th


Another long but excellent day. A very early start today as we had to leave residence at 7:00AM to be on the hill for the photographer Jean-Marc Carisse http://www.carisse.org/ check out the website you will see we are in good company.


Thankfully the sun was shining beautifully and the sky could not have been any bluer if it wanted to be. The big debate – top up or down on the roadsters. Top up was agreed, looked classier for the location of the shoot.


Unfortunately deconstruction of Canada Celebrations was still going on but I am sure that M. Carisse managed to work around it and I can’t wait to see the photographs.


Once the photos were done it was back to our underground parking spots then back up to Parliament Hill on foot for our tour.


We had a great tour of the House of Commons by a wonderful and informative guide Syliva, and then Senator Lorna Milne took over taking us to the Senate side of the building. It was a real treat to get to go into the actual Senate, sit in the Senate seats and listen to Lorna speak of her days in the Senate. Her passion for what she does, her humility and her dedication were inspiring to me and I am sure to many others.


We were then privileged to see 4 historic rooms.

Sir John A. Macdonald’s Office. The southwest corner office is restored to the era of its original occupant – the first prime minister of the dominion, Sir John A Macdonald. Meetings in this room explored in detail the entry of Upper Canada into the Confederation, the building of the transcontinental railway and many issues that resulted in the forming of Canada.
The office was beautiful with its gas lamps, fireplace, and beautiful old books and maps.


The Governor General’s Office.
Every Governor General from the first – Viscount Monck to the Earl of Athlone (1945) occupied the office over the main west entrance, the Governor Generals Entrance, until 1926, the governor general wielded London’s power over the Canadian colony. One can almost sense the tension that must have existed as His Excellency delivered orders from the Colonial Office to the prime minister waiting politely with private thoughts of greater autonomy. Canada’s first New Year’s Levee started in this room and is continued to this day in Rideau Hall. The Queen has sometimes used this room as her “Ottawa Parliamentary Office”


The Prime Minister’s Office


Every Prime Minister from Laurier to Trudeau used this office, right up to 1976 when the building was closed for major renovations. The Queen reopened the East block in 1982 after it’s restoration to the period of 1872.

The Privy Council Chamber


I loved this room – it had a sense of importance. This is the room where the most important events in Canadian history since Confederation were determined. Every Cabinet until the 1970’s met in the Privy Council Chamber to conduct the country’s business. Here the draft of the British North American Bill, which would create the Dominion of Canada was studied, the building of the CPR from shore to shore debated, the crises of the Riel Rebellion faced, and the opening up to the settlement of the prairies planned. In this room, history was made; conscription crises of two world wars were tensely discussed.
Until the end of the Second World War there was never a written record of what happened in this room. It was truly a Privy (PRIVATE) Office. The decor of the room reflects the appearance of the room at the end of the 19th century.


Finally the Privy Council Corridor Doors – The etched glass has survived from 1866, the coat hooks in the corridor also are original to the building.


A great tour – but no time to waste – the Capital A’s are meeting us shortly and time to get back to residence.


A nice tour with the Capital A’s to member’s house for a well catered lunch – more food? Really? Great company, interesting conversations and very nice Model A’s. We continued on a trek to Manotick and Watson’s Mill (World Heritage site) for tour of the Mill and group photo’s. Time was not on our side as we had to be back to the residence to catch a chartered bus to have us in the By ward Market to the Aulde Dubliner for dinner at 5. Well we didn’t make it, but the bus driver was kind enough to wait for everyone to get back and board and off we went for a delicious dinner (more food ... really!) Fish and Chips were excellent.
A very long, tiring but fun day was had by all, and tales were told as we gathered in the courtyard for drinks .. and such.


Monday – July – 6th.
Back on the road again on the trek back home, but not before stopping at the Deifenbunker Cold War Museum. Another fascinating tour. Did you know ..... That only the Members of Parliament in the ruling party would have been allowed in the bunker in event of a nuclear attack. None of the members of the opposition and NOBODY not even the Prime Minister or the Governor General were allowed to bring wives, husbands or children! Can you imagine how many people would have tried to cross the floor in that event?


A lovely drive to Peckenham where a boxed lunch had been arranged. The lunch spot by the river was picture perfect, the lunch was delicious and hearty, however, mother nature choose to open the skies and dump rain on us about ½ way through. So it was a dash to the cars for most of us to finish lunch, except for the few die hards who just put up their umbrella’s and enjoyed the rest of lunch outside.

The drive from Peckenham was very scenic, lots of hills, valley’s lakes to enjoy (see Bill I was enjoying them despite my 5 minute nap). We arrived in Bancroft just in time to check in and make our dinner reservations at 5:00.

After dinner Dan and Sandra invited the gang back to their home for dessert and coffee. What a beautiful home and spot they have. Right on the lake, beautiful deck with fire going, wonderful hospitality and as always great company. Thank you again Dan and Sandra.
Back to our hotel it was time to gather for conversation and laughs till the mosquito’s started biting again, then off to room 311 to continue the evening before calling it a night.

Tuesday – July 7th.

Last day of tour and I think everyone was sorry to see it end. After a good breakfast at Rosa’s we were on the road again, in the rain again. We stopped at Swiss restaurant for coffee and rest room break, and the only real incident of the tour was a broken fan belt on the Campbell’s car which was fixed in minutes. Or at least by the time I had my hot chocolate.

Some members started to drop off the line for home, but there was as still a good crowd of 18 when we arrived at Just Eddies in Orillia for lunch. There, we split up more and everyone headed back home tired but very happy and with stories and friendships to last a lifetime.

Disclaimer

some names and details have been left out to protect the guilty.
Some details have been left out because my memory is horrible
Let’s hope next tour I can get Internet access so that I can write nightly when the stories and events are fresh in my mind.

You can link to photo's of the tour off to the side under photographs or here http://picasaweb.google.ca/morag43/HWWOutstandingOttawaTour#