Summer at Byward Market

Wasn't so hard to find a parking spot, after all. And close to the market, as well. Took along Button and Riley. And we wandered about. It's such a lively place, bustling with strollers just like us. Great place to go to look around, at people, at the market offerings, at historic Ottawa; take your pick. And this was just such a perfect day. Hot and sunny, but dry, not humid, with a good lively breeze.

There are vendors all over the place, selling everything from cheap imported "jewellery", to hand-made cotton garments, cool and fashionable. There's the market building, of course, and it hosts various restaurants, artisans, and although we haven't been in it for ages, we used to go upstairs to look around at a lot of original artworks by local artists.

Outside, there are rows of stands with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, and cut flowers. Incredibly colourful displays. Opposite the stands there are the traditional old market shops. Some dedicated to selling produce, others cheeses, and restaurants and pubs, lots of them. We make a stop at the magazine shop, to pick up the American Art Review.

Stop at our favourite cheese shop as well and select some irresistible cheeses we cannot seem to get anywhere else, at prices no one else could manage. But then, you've got to watch the expiry dates on these items, too. Last stop is the Rideau Bakery, to stock up on triple dark ryes, onion buns, round white Russian ryes, the fragrance of which threaten to transport one to food heaven.