As we passed the Rideau Falls yesterday on our drive to and from Byward Market, we realized that municipal crews were out, cutting the keys in the ice frozen atop the falls, to release it from its icebound state in preparation for the huge chunks of thick, flat ice that would be sliding down the Ottawa River from north of the city, to fall over the falls with a huge, resounding splash by early March, just around the corner from late February.

Cutting the keys above Rideau Falls

It's always an interesting, pleasant drive from our home to downtown Ottawa, taking the Eastern Parkway, with its green, treed landscape where we see venerable giants of perfect tree specimens along the way; even on occasion deer and red foxes. So many points of interest, as the drive follows the curve of the Ottawa River.

Gates at 24 Sussex Drive

At this point in the season, ice has melted in large parts of the river, and people have had to haul away their ice-fishing huts, anchored on the ice. That sport for those enjoying the seasonal opportunity to sit for hours in the huts and cast their lines through the holes they've made in the ice is over for this winter.

National Research Council

On we drive, passing embassies, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Global Affairs building (External Affairs, Foreign Affairs in previous administrations), 24 Sussex Drive, the 'home' of the residing Prime Minister, the Governor-General's residence, and more.

Royal Canadian Mint

We find a place to park at Byward Market, readily done, this day following Family Day when it was undoubtedly crowded. During the winter months the outdoor stalls for which the market is famed are absent, those selling local produce in season no longer in colourful presence, crowds mingling on the sidewalks, exchanging modest sums for fresh-grown fruits and vegetables, no longer given a reason to be there.

Global Affairs Canada

But for us our mission is geared toward one of the many specialty shops in the market which sells magazines, journals and newspapers from around the world. Where, just incidentally all manner of paraphernalia around smoking licit and illicit substances are also sold, from ecigarettes to hookahs. The Somalian store owner recognizes us and his warm smile is a benefaction on a cold, windy winter day.

"Maman" sculpture at plaza in front of the National Gallery, Ottawa

From there, we cross the street one over, to access one of the specialty cheese shops we always gravitate to, to pick up various types of cheeses we don't readily find elsewhere. We've always been cheese lovers and find the best place to look about for exotic cheeses from abroad as well as Canadian-made, is right there at Byward Market.

A rare time when Byward Market is uncrowded

Not far from the market, a short drive takes us to the Rideau Bakery. We exit the bakery with armloads of fresh rye breads, dark and light, with onion buns and their excellent French-style breads. We're also voraciously avid bread-eaters, though much of what we're bringing home is destined to end up in our freezer, to be taken out at intervals whenever the urge to enjoy the best bread in town falls upon us.