The afternoon weather in Ottawa seemed like a normal hazy summer day, with sunshine and lots of cumulus clouds. However, the situation in southern Ontario and at our destination in Brantford was quite different. A major system  was moving across the Great Lakes with heavy rain, strong winds, hail and lots of lightning. I called Flight Service for a weather briefing and considered going to Kingston. However, after hearing of a tornado watch in the area the decision was easy to stay on the ground. This gave us the opportunity to spend a little more time in Ottawa.

After checking in to the Lord Elgin we visited the National War Memorial, viewed the locks at the Rideau Canal and strolled through the elegant Chateau Laurier Hotel.

 

Later while having dinner the winds picked up quite a bit and it started to rain; the storm from southern Ontario was now reaching Ottawa.

We made it to Parliament Hill. After visiting the ten provincial capitals and their legislature buildings for a photo with our Canada Flag we flew to Ottawa to visit the National Capital. Our photo was taken by a Parks Canada Ranger with the Canada Flag that has just traveled across the country in the last month.

Mission Accomplished!

Rather than going in the main entrance, we went to the side entrance for the Senate. The security guards were expecting us with passes pre-printed with our names. We felt kind of special. A nice young woman kindly escorted us to the Office of the Speaker of the Senate to meet with the Chief of Staff, Mr. Stuart Barnable for our appointment at 10:30. This wonderful reception had been arranged by, David, the son of the Speaker whom we had met in the hotel in St. John’s.

Mr. Barnable welcomed us and provided an overview of his office and the buildings on Parliament Hill. He was very proud to show us a small wooden box containing the Canada Flag that had flow atop the Peace Tower on Canada Day, July 1st. Look back now I should have taken a photo with that flag and our flag that had just completed its journey across the country.

Then it was a VIP guided tour of the Parliament Buildings with one of Mr. Barnable’s Special Assistants, Jeremie. He provide a great tour and wonderful insights  at the Senate, then the House of Commons, the Library, up the Peace Tower to see the clock, then finally the Memorial Chamber, the chamber respecting Canadian losses in military conflicts.

Directly behind the flag is the seat for the Speaker of the Senate. Behind the Speaker is the tallest chair for the reigning Monarch and then their spouse.

The House of Commons is much less elaborate than the Senate. 

Jeremie was a great help getting around the Parliament Building and past all the visitors waiting in line. We felt very special.

Jeremie pointed out features that we would have missed otherwise. In the photo above are paintings that depict the last two Monarchs and above them on the upper gallery are paintings of their respective spouses.

The Library.

 

We are near the top of the Peace Tower and the mechanism for the clock.

In the Peace Tower, on the Mezzanine floor is located the Memorial Chamber. This Chamber is dedicated to the Canadians fallen in battle throughout Canada’s history. The book above lists airmen who gave their all. It includes the names of two airmen named Leroux. One I believe was my father’s first cousin, and I am unsure of the other.