...to spring

The end of winter is so long awaited in Canada that anything remotely spring-like attracts crowds. As the temperature finally began to rise at the beginning of May, even the little row of cherry blossoms in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park drew a large audience. Apparently it’s the perfect scene for Instagram, making (as one visitor remarked loudly) for some very grumpy boyfriends.

The same is true of the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, held every year in the middle of May to celebrate the city’s tulips – a gift from the Dutch to thank Canada for sheltering the future Queen Juliana during World War II. They attract an audience of over 650,000 annually, so as we joined the crowds over Victoria Day weekend, we jostled to see the 1 million tulips on display beside Ottawa’s greatest landmarks. Some, like the Disneyland Paris orange tulips, were resplendent; others, struggling with the unseasonal downpours, less so.

Our second trip to Ottawa was much warmer than our first, with the canal defrosted and the flowers in bloom. Over at Rideau Hall, the home of Canada’s Governor General, we found an urban oasis, the sun shining above a gentle game of cricket. The hall itself was originally a private villa for a Scottish family but was taken over by the Crown in the 1860s and now houses Julie Payette, the engineer, linguist, musician and astronaut who represents the Queen in Canada. No doubt she enjoys the beautiful grounds and particularly the Canadian rose garden.

Ottawa was wetter this time too, with the rising river engulfing some of its nearest parks. Fortunately, the rain held off for the fireworks to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday – a celebration that for Canadians marks the beginning of summer. And just like that, before it had really begun, spring was over!