The Rideau Canal Skateway has closed for the season, the lights are out at the Canada150 rink, and across Ottawa, the outdoor hockey rinks are covered with snow. But there is still great skating to be had at Rideau Hall, the residence of Canada's Governor General.

In 1872, Lord Dufferin established the first skating rink at Rideau Hall, just down the hill from the residence. He and Lady Dufferin used to host skating parties.   

A dairy elsewhere on the grounds was moved to the rink as a "Winter Pavilion."  It serves as a changing room...

...as a museum...

...as a place to warm up by the fire...

And as a place to meet and hang out with friends.

My guest, Elena, has come to Ottawa to do post-doctoral work at Carleton University.  She used to skate back in Russia, but she is not used to hockey skates.

It doesn't take her long to get the feel for them.

She even remembers how to skate backwards.

While up the hill in the Governor General's residence, who knows?  Maybe Her Excellency Julie Payette is looking on.

And as for the Skater-in-Chief, it's one last chance to put on the kilt and the skates to wrap up an outstanding 2018 kilt skate season.