Parliament Hill

Weather forecast good today (Wednesday) so we headed to Ottawa early to see the Changing of the Guard at Parliament Buildings. We positioned ourselves at the War Memorial as from there we would have a great view of the soldiers marching to Parliament Hill and then we could follow them to the area where the ceremony takes place. This ceremony takes place only in summer and today was the first day. We were the usual King early so I sat and admired the 2 soldiers guarding the War Memorial (actually students in a summer job dressed and acting as soldiers). Every ten minutes or so they had to stretch their legs by doing a little highstepping march to the side and back again. Then they stood motionless and devoid of expression.

Meanwhile Jim amused himself taking many photos (on HER camera!) of an oriental lady with camera but no companions. Had she designs on him or he on her, I wonder! Finally, at 9.40am I heard the sound of bagpipes but it was coming from the direction of Parliament Hill which was not what I expected. It turned out that it was the retiring guards putting on a performance for the people who thought they were stealing a march on us by positioning themselves at the area where the Changing of the Guards takes place. We got the benefit of the whole thing! The new guards marched up and around the War Memorial preceded by the army brass band who were really good.

It's really serious business you know marching with furs like that on your head in temperatures in the 20s. In fact after the 45 minute ceremony was over, we noticed that one of them had succumbed to the heat or something, dropped his/her weapon and was prone and attended by ambulance officials.





We raced from the War Memorial across the street to Parliament Hill (a nice policeman stopped the traffic for the Irish visitors!) and managed to get quite a good position to view the Changing of the Guard. Now this is not your usual "Right boys, we'll take over now. Off you go and get some kip!" It took a full 30 minutes for the Commander (not sure what the title is) to be satisfied that the Guards who were taking over were suitably attired with weapons, and other bits and pieces that I didn't recognise, in working order. This took place with the brass band playing and sometimes the bagpipers joining in. Meanwhile the Standard-Bearer (the fella who carries the flag) and a companion stroll-marched past the band. There were lots of shouted instructions and much raising of feet and weapons and even some shuffling which I believe is part of the whole process. When the Commander was satisfied, he then proceeded to check out the Guards who were retiring and finally the whole lot of them marched off preceded by the brass band.

Exhaused after a long night guarding Parliament Buildings!

Exhausted after a long night piping to keep the spirits of the troops up!

Are they planning to shoot?

Off they go!

 It was great to see once but we wouldn't have the stamina to do it again!

Parliament Hill is the heart of Canada's democratic system of government, its towering Gothic-Revival architecture an iconic image associated with Ottawa.

A view of the Centre Block  with the Peace Tower

This is home to the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament. There is a lot of construction/renovation going on on Parliament Hill as well as the erecting of a stage which will be in use on Sunday, Canada Day.

My sentiments exactly!

We did a self-guided walking tour of Parliament Hill starting with the monument called "Women are Persons!" This monument celebrates the joint efforts of five women who won a legal challenge to have women considered "persons" under the British North America Act, making them eligible for appointment to the Senate. This was a landmark step (1929) in Canadian women's struggle for equality, helping to pave the way for women to participate fully in all aspects of public life.

I had a nice cup of tea with Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise Mc Kinney, Nellie Mc Clung and Irene Parlby as they rejoiced.

I was beginning to feel a bit Japanese so I had a little sit to recover!

Parliament Hill is where people can explore figures, events and achievements that have shaped Canada's past, and continue to influence its present and future.

Queen Elizabeth II - Canada's reigning monarch. Quite a good likeness!

Thomas D'Arcy McGee (1825-1868) who used his eloquent words and inspirational speeches to help forge Confederation in Canada. The figure at the foot of the monument is an allegorical figure representing Memory.

The Victoria Bell.

In February 1916 the Centre Block became engulfed in fire which raged fiercely for hours. "The main tower was not touched until about 11pm and one of the most pathetic incidents of the night, which moved spectators, was the striking of the mid-night hour by the old tower clock. There seemed almost a human touch as its familiar tones boomed out from the mass of flames." (The Deputy Minister of Public Works, 1916) Shortly after striking midnight on the morning of Feb. 4, 1916 the Victoria Bell came crashing down into the inferno which had engulfed the Centre Block. The Victoria Bell was later recovered from the ruins and put on display. Restored in 2001, the bell is now mounted on an angle to symbolise the position it was in when it came crashing down.

8th Prime Minister of Canada 1911-1920.

13th Prime Minister 1957-1963

A Father of Confederation, editor and politician

George Brown (1818-1880) fought for the ideals which, to this day, help to define Canada: "government by the people, free institutions, religious liberty and equality, unity, and progress of Confederation".

William Lyon MacKenzie King (1874-1950) 10th Prime Minister 1921-1926, 1926-1930, 1935-1948

Sir George-Etienne Cartier (1814-1873) A Father of Confederation

In this monument, Cartier gestures to a document inscribed with words from a speech he delivered in Quebec in which he says that "the government is of the opinion that Confederation is necessary". This was the first monument erected on Parliament Hill in 1885.

Lester B. Pearson (1897-1972) 14th Prime Minister 1963-1968

Canada's image as a peaceful and compassionate nation was fostered at home and abroad by Lester B. Pearson. This monument captures Pearson's casual and friendly nature. His left shoe is shinier than his right because everyone rubs his left shoe for luck. We did too!

This is a monument to Henry Albert Harper, a friend of the future Prime Minister, William Lyon MacKenzie King. On December 6 1901, Harper was attending a skating party held on the frozen Ottawa River by the Earl of Minto. Andrew George Blair's daughter Bessie, and Alex Creelman, fell through a patch of weak ice - though CReelman pulled himself to safety. Harper dived (they say dove here!) into the river to save Bessie but both ultimately drowned. People say that he quoted Galahad's famous phrase "If I lose myself, I save myself" before jumping into the water.

Queen Victoria (1819-1901) Reigned 1837-1901.

Allegorical figures adorn many of the monuments found on Parliament Hill. These figures represent abstract ideas related to the achievements, character or principles of the person whom the monument commemorates. At the monument to Queen Victoria, a young woman with windswept hair presents a laurel wreath. Upon her head is a crown bearing the coats of arms of the provinces. This allegorical figure symbolises the fledgling country of Canada. The figure of the lion standing next to her was included by the sculptor, Louis-Philippe Hebert, as a symbol of strength, guarding Canada, the flag and Canadian national honour.

This is the Cat Sanctuary on Parliament Hill. Through the kindness of volunteers and the generosity of public donations the "cat sanctuary" has cared for the animals opf Parliament Hill since the 1970s. Today it is home to cats, raccoons, groundhogs, squirrels, pigeons, chickadees and sparrows. When I get home, I am going to bag up all the stray cats in our garden and send them to Parliament Hill in Ottawa where they will be very happy!

As you can see, the cats have their own facebook page! I hope it is more used than mine which, accidentally got created!!

From the outset, Parliament Hill was designed not just as a workplace for parliamentarians, but also as a place where everyone could come to meet, talk or just relax in a beautiful setting. It has a scenic promenade that follows the shoreline of the Ottawa River.

 All views from Parliament Hill.

The Centennial Flame.

Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson ignited the Centennial Flame at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1967, to commemorate Canada's 100th anniversary of Confederation. Its light is a symbolic guide for the country, leading it into a second full century of nationhood. Alberta natural gas feeds the flame, which dances above the flowing water. Divided into 12 segments, the Centennial Flame includes bronze shields of each of the provinces and territories that existed in 1967, as well as their floral symbol and the date that the province or territory joined the Confederation.