OTTAWA -- Newly installed Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean rode to her new home Tuesday in a black landau drawn by a team of matched horses steered by RCMP outriders in full dress uniform.

Adrienne Clarkson drove home in a gunmetal grey Toyota driven by husband John Ralston Saul. The music and dance celebrating Jean's swearing-in was just beginning in Parliament's Hall of Honour when Clarkson and Saul walked out a side door of the building, trading pomp and ceremony for real life.

A military aide snapped a last salute, then turned away, leaving two private citizens.

The couple didn't even glance at the massed bands and honour guard drawn up a stone's throw away. They turned to walk the two hundred metres to their new car and the drive home to Toronto.

Saul was barely out the door when he worried his tie loose, yanked it free of his neck, jammed it carelessly in a suit pocket and flipped open the top button of his shirt collar.

Clarkson smiled as she walked, saying she thinks Jean will be an inspiring Governor General and adding that she was proud to have watched the swearing-in.

How does it feel to turn one's back on Rideau Hall and the vice-regal life?

"I'm not turning my back on anything, I'm just leaving Ottawa," Clarkson laughed.

"There is a world out there," Saul said with a chuckle.

Hand-in-hand, the pair strolled slowly down past the East Block of Parliament, a couple of TV cameramen walking ahead of them. The occasional well-wisher came up to say thanks or shake hands, but the day's focus was elsewhere and Clarkson seemed glad of it.

She said she has plans to work with the new Institute for Canadian Citizenship, which the government recently endowed as her legacy.

Clarkson said she also plans to brush up on her driving skills after six years without ever getting behind the wheel.

"He's driving," she nodded at Saul. "I am going to the Ontario Automobile Association to take some classes next week, because whenever I look at the 401 now I think, can I do it?"

Saul grinned: "The answer is yes."

"Yes it is," Clarkson agreed. "But I need some help."

As they approached the car, they stopped to greet some locked-out CBC workers. Clarkson agreed it was a shame they were not covering the installation of her successor.

"Maybe I can do something to help now," she said.

Then they stood beside the car. The back seat was piled with boxes. Somewhere inside was the picnic lunch they planned to eat on the drive.

"I hope I don't run any of you over," Saul said as they climbed in.

The engine turned over, the sedan glided out on to the street, turned left and was lost in traffic.

In front of the Centre Block, the pomp and ceremony waited for Michaelle Jean.