Ottawa

Day 6 - penultimate day in Ottawa! Started off very chilled by going to Nordik spa thanks to Andy for giving us the money to go!

Nordik Spa

Nordik spa - think of the blue lagoon in Iceland. Hot tubs, cold tubs, infinity pool, steam, sauna, hammocks, beds, sun loungers. It's $132 (about £83) you can rent a robe and you just spend as long as you want there and chill. You get a wristband with your locker key that you top up with money to get food and drinks. 

The word of the day was Zen. It was so nice and I fell asleep for nearly 2 hours in a hammock I was that zenned out. I can't say I'm a fan of a sauna though - I think it's my actual worst nightmare because I was melting. I managed 5 minutes then it was too much I was dripping like I'd walked out of the pool. Tracy couldn't even manage a minute and Chris wasn't even wet after 5!

I didn't take my phone round with me as I didn't want to drown it and it was good to just a have a bit of detox without it as I constantly have it in my hand I do need a break from it. I was gutted I didn't have it with me to take a photo of the food we had though. Got scallops for lunch they were so nice and looked so good! In the showers they have all shampoo and soap for you, towels, hair dryers and straighteners in the changing rooms so you don't have to take anything with you.

Top Karting

After we went go karting with Jackson, Kelly, Tony, Michelle and Micky.

It was $68 (£43) for a 5 minute qualifier then 30 minutes non stop. I washed my hair at the spa and it was pointless because I was so sweaty after go karting it was so hot wearing the helmets. Was wet afterwards pretty disgusting. Was so thirsty afterwards and my whole body was aching cos I was just throwing myself into the corners going round them and my hands were sore from gripping the wheel. It was a hard track with a lot of turns and I really don't know how you're suppose to turn round a corner in a go kart. But it was fun I do like go karting not that I'm any good at it though.

After we went for food at this pub I don't remember it was called with Jackson and Kelly in downtown Ottawa.

I got the lobster roll and left the bread. I wasn't that hungry as it was late. 

Tracy and Christ got a couple of bits between them. Jackson and Kelly got prawn tempura between them.

After we went on a touristy walk.

The National Gallery Canada

The spider is so creepy I'm so glad we didn't end up going back and seeing it in daylight even though it's just as scary lit up in the dark. I ended up having a nightmare about it that night. I scream and woke myself up. That's how much I hate and scared of spiders and it is huge!

Ottawa Sign - Byward Market

Chris managed to climb up it so I wanted to go too!

Because of the letters it's so much harder to climb than the Amsterdam sign!

I eventually got up there...

But then actually couldn't get down... So Jackson had to save me.. 

Good job we never went back and to climb it cause Chris definitely wouldn't have saved me!

It was nice to just walk through and see Ottawa in the dark when it's quiet and not full of people. Surprised that there wasn't anyone around the sign apart from the odd people but then again it was quite late and a week night.

1 more post from Ottawa then Toronto!

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The Elephant Roast

Sunday Roast - The Elephant

Yesterday I went to The Elephant for a Sunday roast with Jo and Sarah. Never had the roast before and been wanting to try it as I heard it's meant to be good.

Me and Sarah got the chicken

Jo got the beef. She couldn't have the Yorkshire pudding so asked for more potatoes instead.

The chicken was nice and wasn't dry as it was on the bone but the roast potatoes were solid so hard to cut through. They weren't crispy and just weren't a roast potato. There wasn't enough gravy especially when the Yorkshire pudding was huge - It was over done and a bit burnt and greasy. The sausage stuffing was super salty. Could have done with more veg.

Not sure why people rave about it as it definitely isn't the best roast I've had. I just don't think roasts are that good when you go out for them. I think home made roasts are definitely better. Was disappointed as I was looking forward to it! I may be a harsh critic but I'm not settling for mediocre when I'm paying for it!

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The Cottage

Lac Edja, Quebec, Canada

Day 5 of Canada travels we went to Debbie and William's cottage on the lake. The cottage is in Quebec on Lake Edja (Lac Edja) an hour and a half away from Ottawa. They have 2 cottages - 1 they stay themselves every week and the other for family and friends to stay in. Andy his wife Laurel and son Connor - their 2 dogs Bella and Sophie and cat Suki were staying at the other cottage for the week. Karen came with us, then Michelle came with Jackson, Kelly and their dog Brooklyn, Tony and Vinna, Debbie and William brought nanny Wing and her sister. 

This is what Chris pictured Canada to be like lakes and trees...

The water is so clear and nice. It was so peaceful, such a nice day to be there to just relax and take it all in. 

Debbie and William have a load of different water toys we got to play around with in the lake. We basically had the whole lake to ourselves as no one else was around.

Chris was the first to try a kayak

Tracy went with Michelle

Tony and Vinna were first up to go tubing. I went to along for the boat ride

  

  

Tracy and Michelle were up next

Basically got to hold and don't let go otherwise you'll end up in the water!

Chris and Jackson went and Jackson ended up in the water!

I went on this which was basically a stepper on water

I was rubbish at it though I couldn't turn, nearly ran Kelly over and actually got stuck at one point cos I went to the bit that was too shallow!

Me and Tracy went on the pedalo. Which is the most annoying thing as you pedal so hard but don't get anywhere!

BBQ lunch

William took us on a boat tour around the lake.

Someone actually has a plane!

Sometimes you just need a break from the city to enjoy nature and tranquillity.

Nanny Wing rocking a snap back

Brooklyn

Bella. Sophie wouldn't sit for a photo 

It was such a nice day what we needed after the wedding and just going out everyday to just chill for a bit. 

On the way back we all went for food in Ottawa Chinatown. Apart from Jackson, Kelly and Michelle because they had Brooklyn.

I was so tired I think I had a bit of heatstroke from the sun so wasn't even hungry. I didn't wan to eat I just wanted to get back shower and sleep. Think I fully passed out that night.

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Some of the photos were taken with my Nikon 1 J2 camera while others were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S9 phone. No filter or editing needed.