Monday 6 February 2012

Viewing a Ruin


It was warmer than usual today (for a day in February) so my friend Kristen and I decided to go for a walk on our lunch break. We started going across a bridge from Gatineau to Ottawa, then went off the beaten path just to see what we could see.  


We made a left turn down a road that passed under the bridge. I noticed some interesting ice formations on the water. A chain with some yellow floats had been stretched across the water but the current was pushing it into a curve. Ice had formed around the yellow floats so they looked like ice beads on a necklace on the river's throat. 


We continued down the road until we came to a mammoth ruin of a building. I told Kristen she looked very existential as she contemplated the ruin. A metaphor for something or other!


The ruin was completely surrounded by a chain link fence. We decided it looked like some sort of horrible old prison with massive walls around prisoner yards. But Kristen said it was actually the ruin of an old mill. 


There was a great tall building at the end. The stone walls were very thick. 


As we walked past one of the walls on our way back, I looked up and saw this wonderful bit of blue sky and cloud through one of the ruin's windows. It is always uplifting to see the sky no matter what window you are looking through!

4 comments:

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

A blue sky does feed the soul. Lovely ruins.

Knatolee said...

Love those beautiful old stone walls!

Sarah said...

Beautiful photos!

Elisabeth said...

Going off the beaten path always offers some lovely surprises!