Brockhouse Canada Prize

There were two reasons for us to travel to Ottawa.  The first was to visit family, but the second was so Glen could accept NSERC's Brockhouse Canada Prize.  All awardees stayed in the Chateau Laurier which is why we checked in Sunday evening.

Even though we had lived in Ottawa many years, we had never stayed at the Chateau.  However, our lives have been tied to this venerable building.  My father heard of my birth while sitting in one of its lounges and Glen took me there for a drink on our first date (the Colonel By Lounge has since moved into the convention centre so we couldn't relive that moment 40 years ago).  Instead, we walked across the street to what was once the Elephant & Castle pub but is now called The Exchange.  Being Sunday night, the place was strangely quiet even though we sat in a section open to the Rideau Centre mall.

We began our dinner by sharing a small plate of wings and enjoying a Guinness (me) and Stella Artois (Glen).  I then had shepherd's pie served in a small iron frying pan while Glen enjoyed their Guinness meatloaf.  We waddled back to the hotel for a nightcap meeting one of Glen's colleagues in Zoé's Lounge.  John had also grown up in Ottawa and was enjoying supper with his sister and nephew.  Our server persuaded Glen to order creme bruleé while I had Brazilian coffee.

I didn't sleep well that night, partly due to excitement and partly because I was nervous as I had no idea how the day would unfold.  Glen went off to join the other awardees at breakfast while I had fruit, muffin, orange juice and coffee in our room.  Often the rooms in older hotels are small but we had a king-sized bed, desk, walk-in closet and a small sitting area.  I headed out just after nine to go to 'The Hill'.  My final destination being our old apartment building but I wanted to photograph the statues on Parliament Hill first.

The wind was blustery off the ice-choked Ottawa River so I was glad I'd bundled up.  Even though the sun was warm, the air was not.  At one point, I thought my fingers would freeze as I switched camera lenses.  As I struggled with them, my phone rang alerting me to a text message.  It was Glen.  He was done his breakfast and photo session and wanted to join me.  "I'm at the bell," I wrote back.  He knew what I meant.  In 1916, a fire destroyed the original Centre Block of the parliament buildings.  The bell from the Victoria Tower was found in the rubble.  Restored in 2000, it now stands behind the Parliamentary Library, a wonderful example of Gothic architecture which escaped the flames in 1916.  It has always been Glen's favourite building on the hill.

Together we wandered past the parliamentary cats a few of which were out sunning themselves.  Originally used as mousers, they now occupy a sanctuary on the cusp of the hill and are cared for by dedicated volunteers.

After a brief visit to the warm Centennial Flame, lit January 1, 1967 to commemorate Canada's 100th birthday, we walked down O'Connor Street to Sparks Street Mall.  We then headed to Lewis Street where we had our first (basement) and second (first floor) apartments.  A few things have changed in the area but the apartment still stands although, Glen noted it is now heated with gas.  We strolled past his old elementary school then headed down Elgin Street to return to the hotel for lunch.

Zoé's was closed so we again ate at the Exchange.  I ordered their Thai salad but it was disappointing.  Glen's Brit sandwich was tasty and satisfied his hunger.  Walking a couple of hours in the cold builds an appetite.

After lunch, he headed back to meet with Brittany.  The plan was for the awardees to watch Question Period.  The Speaker of the House was to announce their presence but that didn't happen.  Glen said the experience was fascinating and not at all like what appears on TV.

Meanwhile, I headed through Rideau Centre to the Byward Market.  It hadn't changed much since I was last there and I was happy to see my favourite fishmonger, LaPointe's, was still in business.  I guess after 140 years, you know what you're doing.  The Vivian family bought LaPointe's in 1972 and it's been run by them ever since.

I then walked past the United States Embassy, an art deco-type building on the edge of Major's Hill Park.  Beyond it is the Peackeeping Monument which Glen had wanted to see.  The glass tower of the National Gallery loomed nearby but I decided not to walk any further so retraced my steps to the park.  Here there are great views of Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier.

After a brief stop in the hotel to warm up (it was snowing at this point), I made my way to the National War Memorial.  It is an imposing structure that has always fascinated me.  It also gives me a chance to pause and think of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.  I also wanted to pay my respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  After a quick photo of the Rideau Canal's ice huts, I returned to the hotel to prepare for our evening's adventure.

All the awardees and their guests boarded a bus for Rideau Hall at 4:30.  There was a brief moment of uncertainty when our driver was not allowed through the rear gate but Brittany quickly dealt with this misunderstanding.

Rideau Hall has been the residence and office of the Governor General since 1867.  The main entrance hall was built in 1913  and we gathered beneath the impressive portraits of recent governors general.  The awardees were ushered into the ball room to have a rehearsal of the ceremony while their guests waited outside.  I stood for about 30 minutes before I had to sit down.  I'd forgotten to 'train' my feet to my high heels.  I didn't bring my camera or phone as Glen said they would have photos taken.  I now regret that.

Finally, the guests were permitted to enter the room and sit on blue damask chairs.  The hall was dominated by a huge Native Canadian piece of art, its bright vibrant colours such a contrast to the Edwardian decor of the room.  We stood as the awardees filed in to the music of a military string quartet.  Then came the Governor General.  His broad smile relaxed us all.  Earlier the president of NSERC, Suzanne Fortier, had told the awardees this was like the Academy Awards of Canadian science and being in the presence of the governor general certainly made it seem that way.

His Excellency the Right Honourable, David Johnston began by saying: "Every day, your ingenuity benefits humanity in myriad ways.  And while each of you has a unique story, there are several commonalities that run through this distinguished group.

"Your actions and your work demonstrate the importance of science and engineering.  You know the value of education and learning.  And you are well aware of the impact of sharing and collaboration."

It was this last sentence that rang true for me since the Brockhouse prize is given to those who are from different disciplines and who have joined together to further the knowledge of science.  Glen is part of the Alberta Carbohydrate Science Group along with David Bundle, John Klassen, Todd Lowary, and Kenneth Ng.  Not only do they represent different sciences, they also work in two different universities.

When it was Glen's turn to receive the medal, I almost burst with pride as he strode up the aisle, bowed to His Excellency then turned to face us all.  He did a quick nod to the window which I knew meant: "We've come a long way from Lewis Street and yet, it was only a few blocks away."

His Excellency whispered 'this is a stretch' when he tried to fasten the medal around Glen's neck.  He isn't a tall man and of course, Glen is.  After they had their picture taken, David thanked NSERC for the award.

We sang 'O Canada' to end the ceremonies and the awardees went to the 'Tent' room to have the official photo taken where the prime minister and his cabinet have their photo done when sworn into office.  Meanwhile, I stood in line for the buffet.  It began (for me) with shrimps in a spicy sauce on rice then I discovered the sushi plates so indulged in those.  Others were enjoying beef and potatoes so there was something for all tastes.  I snagged a table so we could enjoy our food sitting down and people came and went as we ate.  

As Glen was sampling the array of desserts, His Excellency stopped at our table to make sure we had had enough to eat.  He laughed and said he could always run to the kitchen and scramble up some eggs for us, if not.  What a wonderfully warm man, a great person to represent both the queen and our country.

As a special treat, Mr. Johnston opened a private wing of Rideau Hall so we could view the Pauline Vanier (or Canada) room, the official dining hall, the small dining room and library, the ladies' sitting room and the reception room outside the governor general's office.  Each room had a person to tell us the significance it played in the lives of Their Excellencies.  The final room was the conservatory which was a delight to enjoy as the snow swirled outside its windows.  Glen discovered a plastic dinosaur and asked the nearby guard who had added them to the gardens.  Apparently, Mr. Johnston did so to amuse his eight grandchildren.

The bus left Rideau Hall and most of the awardees went straight to Zoé's to celebrate.  I had to get rid of my pumps so changed into my pants as well before we joined John and his wife, Todd, and Alisdair Boraston, from the University of Victoria who had won a E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship.  We had one beer then went back to the room to pack as we'd be up at 4:30 am to catch the plane back to Calgary.