Wednesday 26 June 2013

Summer Season and the National Holidays in Canada

Depending on your point of view or decrees of Parliament in Ottawa, we have 2 National Holidays, one is on 24 June know as La Saint-Jean or La Fête Nationale, the other is July 1 Canada Day also known as Dominion Day. Of course we all know now that Ottawa is actually built on Algonquin land, meaning that we are squatters? Parliament has not addressed that one yet, but I am sure it is coming.

Lucky us the weather since 21 June finally turned warm but not hot. So as tradition decrees the Governor General's Foot Guard, he also has a Horse Guard but they are stationed in Toronto,
are at Rideau Hall for the Annual Inspection Ceremony.



The Governor General, His Excellency, the Right Honorable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M. inspects the Guards.
You can also see them every morning at 10 am sharp on Parliament Hill and at Rideau Hall.

Gate at Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall Residence of the Governor General of Canada since 1867. The other Residence is at the Citadelle of Quebec City where the GG spends part of the Summer months. Rideau Hall is open to the public and can be visited.

Also with summer, you can see the Musical Ride of the RCMP which is quite the exciting show with lots of dressage and horsemanship.

Finally as we enter into Canada Week, I unfurled my old Canadian flag, the one which has travelled with me all over the world for the last 33 years and has been on display every Dominion or Canada Day. This year it hangs from our balcony, the neighbours have already complimented us.




8 comments:

  1. Your flag is still nice and red after all those years. But I guess only being exposed to the elements one day per year helps, LOL! Have a great Canada Day, you two, and enjoy the fireworks.

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  2. Yes the flag only comes out for 72 hours so it is well preserved. We will be watching from our building roof with a clear view all the way to Nepean Point behind the National Gallery where the fireworks will be lit.

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  3. Those guards in dress look magnificent on Parade! Thanks for the history lesson on Canada Day.

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  4. Excuse me? It's warm but not hot in Ottawa?
    Monday was 36C plus humidex (so it felt over 40C). That's hot for me. Granted it was a bit chilly this past Saturday but otherwise, I've been taking refuge in the house pretty well all the time.

    CP

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    1. Well I have AC too, but you know what I mean.

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  5. the best part of this story was the flag. 33 years! What a tale. Can you create the 33 yearlocations in a list?

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    1. yes I can, the most memorable was in Cairo, I had a roof top apartment and was on the Nile river. My Egyptian neighbours were intrigued to say the least because the flag was very visible.

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