The New Change Huts

Last winter new change huts were put out along the skateway.  We call then change huts or shacks  because most outdoor rinks have ramshackle structures, or tired old trailers, if your lucky.  At first these seemed too nice to use, but like any luxury, we have all adjusted to them very quickly.    There were far more people in the hut, but if I drew them in there wouldn't be much to see except the ceiling.

Oh and BTW, the skating has been really good these last few days.

Openning Day on the Canal

The Rideau Canal skateway opened this morning.  It was cold, but I was able to sit at a sunny table out of the wind and sketch for a few minutes.  At -16 C you can get away with this if you move fast, but soon your hand seizes up and starts to really hurt.  I wouldn't even try to paint at that temperature.  The watercolour was applied at home.

This is the change shack and Beavertail concession at 5th Avenue.  Beavertails are a sort of cinnamony, gooey donut that is very popular with schoolkids and also seems to be memorable to tourists. They were selling well and the girls in the foreground were sharing one.