A stone frigate in downtown Ottawa?
Reading Time: 5 minutesYou may have noticed an historic house boarded up across from city hall on the south side on Lisgar. It has an interesting story: it was a a so called ‘stone frigate’.
Diversion
Gravel roads may return to suburban Ottawa
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn its quest to find savings, our city is looking into more gravel roads, even in suburbs. Here is the article I saw today.
Merivale Road Food Map 2025
Reading Time: 5 minutesHere is the annual overview of the Merivale Food scene, already in its third year. More Indian food, more grocery stores and a few name changes. Check out the map with all the possible places to eat or take out food on the stretch of Merivale Road, Clyde and a bit of Baseline.
My First Time in a Kayak on the Ottawa River
Reading Time: 7 minutesLast week, Maria, the owner of Escape Tours, invited me for a short kayak trip on the Ottawa River. Here are our experiences.
Are Dutch Bikes Still Dutch?
Reading Time: 4 minutesOn August 4, 2024 the Bicycle Craft Brewery in Ottawa hosts a Bikes + Beer pop up in Ottawa featuring sales of used Dutch bikes. But what makes a Dutch bike Dutch nowadays?
NCC mulls replacement for Rideau Canal Skateway. “QED likely”: spokesperson
Reading Time: 4 minutesThis morning’s local newspaper reports on the NCC mulling the Queen Elizabeth Drive as an alternative for the Rideau Canal Skateway after several disappointing skate seasons. Even the mayor might be on board. Here is the entire article.
The Short Life of the Ottawa & New York Railway
Reading Time: 12 minutesAt some time in our history, Ottawa had a direct train connection to the Adirondecks and Tupper Lake in New York State via Cornwall. From there, you could travel further south to New York City. The original idea was to create a direct connection to NY, NY, but that didn’t materialise. (with video of the route)
The Food Map of Merivale Road in 2024
Reading Time: 5 minutesThis is the second year I am posting a Merivale Rd Food map. The 2024 Merivale Food map shows all food outlets on a stretch of Merivale Road, and the post describes who left and who started.
Will the Rideau Canal open for skating this year?
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe Rideau Canal in Ottawa has been a beloved skating destination since 1970. However, warmer winters are affecting its ice quality and duration. With fewer days open in recent years, speculation arises about this year’s opening. Upcoming cold nights could lead the canal to open end of January and when it does, don’t wait to go out.
My Free Little Library in Ottawa
Reading Time: 6 minutesLast year I built my own little library. I was nervous it would be vandalised but now, a year later, I can confirm it is a big success. Ottawa’s Transportation Committee will soon discuss new (modest) rules for curb site little libraries.