Monday, we met Pat, a very good friend of Wayne’s, for coffee, closely followed by lunch. (Hello Weight Watchers!) They had a great conversation about old times and people of their past. We then drove out to Pat and Bruce’s home in the country, a classic old farmhouse. The house sits on two acres of beautiful country, in a small town an hour west of Montreal. It was nice to meet her husband, Bruce, and talk and compare our lives in the US and Canada. We are looking forward to their visit to the US in August!
Tuesday was Quebec City. We visited the Chateau Frontenac. It was as grand like the hotels in Lake Louise and Banff. The weather was COLD! The sky was blue but the wind was frigid. We walked through the town, under and over the gate to the fortified city, and over the Plains of Abraham. By the time we got back to the Chateau we were frozen. We stopped in the Chateau for a Caribou and enjoyed the view of the St Lawrence River through the window. Fortified with the Caribou we then ventured down the funicular to Old Town. Even the saxophone player needed added insulation!
Wednesday, we went up to the top on Westmount Mountain and Mt Royal. It was a refreshing walk with beautiful views of the city, small lake and playground! What fun playground toys they have here! In the afternoon we took several Metro rides to meet Mandy and Duke for coffee, walked through colorful Jean Talon Market with products a cook could only dream of at home. I’ll have to do more research to see if we have any stores like this in Portland! Mandy and Duke then took us to a great Indian food restaurant filled with good food and great conversation. Another short Metro ride to their home and an in depth discussion of dog behavior (beware Jack). Then a Metro journey back to our hotel.
Thursday, we went for a drive to Wayne’s grandparent’s house in Abercorn, two hours south-east of Montreal. We went to their gravesite. On the way back we stopped by the house in which his Dad was born. The country side was beautiful. There were rolling hills with the leaves fresh of the trees. The trees were shades of green, red and white and the blossoms were just opening! After a stop at another market, Atwater, where we fortified our wine and cheese supply, we came home and met Mandy for wine and cheese on the balcony on the top of our building. Another great visit!