Ivan and Masha in Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada - July 2020

Ivan and Masha arrived in Gatineau at the beginning of July 2020, during the COVID-19. Since the host prefers to avoid taking the bus because of the pandemic, and sometimes, walking takes too long, one of the first outings that she took Masha and Ivan on was to Canadian Tire, to buy herself a bike. The host had not riden a bike for almost 25 years, so she was a little bit afraid that she wouldn't be able to anymore, but she was wrong to worry. It looks like riding a bike really is something that one always remembers how to do!




A nice view of Gatineau and downtown Ottawa:


The host's brand new bike:


The host also took the newlyweds to Domaine Fairview, a large park (that used to be a private domain, and then an experimental farm) near her home. There is still a beautiful mansion there, and some of the former farm facilities, but the mansion is now used to house artists and the land is used as a green space where people can go and walk, play ball and picnic.










July was really hot, so the host took Masha and Ivan to Leamy Lake for a swim:


She also took them to Librairie du soleil (Sun Bookstore) to buy a few books for her nephew and niece. She sends them little books by mail every month.



In July, since it was sooo hot, Ivan and Masha ate a lot of popsicles!


They also watched Supernatural with their host!


And they worked on some crafts projects!


Ivan and Masha also helped their host take care of her backyard (including filling up the water bowls that she leaves out for the wild anmals and watering the vegetables that she grows) and had a lot of fun observing all the birds and the wild animals that live in it:





Birds having a "pool party" on the tableand taking turns splashing in a frisbee filled with water. They looked like they were having such a great time!:


In July, raspberries also grow in the host backyard and can be picked daily for a few weeks, so Ivan and Masha ate quite a lot!


They also helped plant the zinnia seeds that they brought with them to Canada from the USA :



A cute groundhog (as seen from the host's bedroom window)!:




The host had to take the bus to go to the eye doctor, and Masha and Ivan tagged along! The host took a few pictures while waiting for the bus on the way back home :





Masha and Ivan on the bus!



For the last three weeks, Ivan and Masha have also accompanied the host to weekly Zumba sessions that take place in Parc Moussette (Moussette Park), a gorgeous park by the Ottawa River:










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