The US Embassy participated in the event this year although interested visitors had to submit an electronic request to be pre-screened for admittence to the embassy. I happily went to the US Embassy's website only to find out that the tours were now closed as all spots for the tours were filled! It was clearly a popular location and I have no doubt that MANY people would have liked to visit this building. I later overheard two ladies chatting about this on my bus-ride into work the following week. The one lady was complaining that those who likely got to visit the embassy were diplomats or family members who were alerted to the need to apply online long before the general public were informed. I have no idea on the validity of this statement but found it quite interesting none-the-less.
Besides the US Embassy, I had wanted to stop by the French Embassy as well but also was dissapointed to find out that it was closed on Sunday.
I still managaged to make a great afternoon of it however and toured three locations: Laurier House, the Canada Post Ottwa processing plant and Watson's Mill in Manotick.
Laurier House is a national historic site located in downtown Ottawa. The house was home to two of Canada's Prime Ministers - Sir Wilfred Laurier and the Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King.
A view of Laurier House from the outside:
This is the third floor library/office where Mackenzie-King spent much of his time. It is said that he preferred his office at Laurier House to the one he had on Parliment Hill. Security of the prime minister was of course paramount and during the second world war, even more so. On the main floor of the building there is a room which housed a RMCP officer around the clock. During the Lauriers' time, it was used as a closet so you can imagine then its size!
From Laurier House I headed to the Canada Post processing plant. It was really interesting to actually see how our mail gets sorted and then delivered from all over the country. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take photos inside. I do recommend this tour if the plant participates next year, especially if you have children!
From Canada Post I headed to the town of Manotick, a very pituresque town located along the Rideau River. While it may be about 15km out of town, it is still considered part of the city of Ottawa.
Watson's Mill, a flour and seed mill located in Manitock, was built in 1860 and is celebrating it's 150th anniversary this year. The mill is still in operation today and I do recommend a visit to see not only the mill, but the town of Manitock itself. There is a cute little tea room that I spotted and some very nice little shops around the mill.
This is a photo of the inside of the mill. You are able to travel from the "basement" where you can see the turbines in action down at waters level right up to the third floor where the series of levers and spindles work to turn the grinding stone to make the flour.
The mill itself has a gift shop where you can purchase flour ground at the mill or if you prefer a little less work, whole wheat bread made from this flour. I chose the latter option and was not disappointed - YUM! :-)
Cheers,
T.
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