Canadian War Museum

We had planned two museums today but almost 5 hours in the Canadian War Museum determined that one a day is enough! We have very few pictures as it didn't really lend itself to photos. It is an absolutely huge museum and really should be spread out to a five day visit. For a young nation, Canada has been involved in a lot of wars!

We started in the LeBreton Gallery which houses the military technology collection - tanks and such armoured vehicles. In my opinion, once you've seen one tank you've seen them all. But not so for Jim!

On the way down to the LeBreton Gallery there were lots of panels from war aircraft that had been decorated with slogans and cartoons etc. by their aircrew. I've put this one up for Nan. What was she up to?






The special exhibition was on the 1812 war which is being celebrated this year. We had already learned a good bit in Fort George but this gave a lot more information and looked at the different perspectives of the war from each of the parties involved - the British, the Americans, the Canadians and the First Nation Canadians and American Indians. The display was very well done and we spent a lot of time there.

Theere were 4 other galleries which focused on different wars. Gallery 1 was called Battleground - Wars on our Soil, earliest times to 1885. It was interesting to see the conflicts between the First Nation and the early settlers and how the French integrated themselves etc. etc. Gallery 2 was called For Crown and Country - the South African and First World Wars, 1885-1931. The most poignant exhibit for me is the one below.

Gallery 3 was called Forged in Fire - The Second World War, 1031 - 1945. I'm afraid I did not give this the attention it probably deserves as I was tired and my head was full of facts. The reintegrations of soldiers etc. into ordinary life was interesting though.

Gallery 4 was called A Violent Peace - The Cold War, Peacekeeping and Recent Conflicts, 1945 to the present. Sorry, totally switched off by then!

Because another museum was totally out of the question, we headed on for Wakefield, a lovely little village on the western shore of the Gatineau River in the Outaouais region of Quebec. The town was founded in 1830 by Irish, Scottish and English immigrants. By sheer chance we had lunch facing the river in a nice bistro/pub and when we went to find the washrooms discovered an Irish flag at the bar and the washrooms named fir and mna!

The Gatineau River from where we lunched.

Wakefield Covered Bridge  

The Wakefield covered bridge was built in 1915 at the entrance of the village and was one of the first bridges to link the two shores of the Gatineau River. Sadly, the bridge was completely destroyed by fire in 1984. The population of the village decided to collect money to rebuild the bridge. Ten years later, in 1998, the new Gendron covered bridge was inaugurated. The new bridge can only be used by pedestrians, but it kept a few original pieces, among which the pillars that support it.

Light at the end of the covered bridge!

Since 2011 the village has hosted the Wakefield Covered Bridge Run. The Marathon of Health along with the Wakefield community have created this running event to raise money for organizations that promote healthy and active lifestyles through sports.

Wakefield also had a mill which is now run as a fancy hotel and spa. There is quite a waterfall that must have driven the mill but it was impossible to get a proper picture as the grounds are closed off to casual tourists like ourselves.

Between wars and walks and covered bridges and mills we had a long day!