Welcome back faithful followers (I can say followers as I can see there is more than just one of you!)
So started day 5 and as I sat blogging on with yesterdays antics the rain was nowhere in sight (according to the roof of the Esso garage which was now resembling a lake, but I could see no rain falling into it) so I quickly showered and went down for breakfast. A hearty omelette with fried potatoes, fresh fruit and toast later I was ready to go. Now as soon as I stepped out of the door two things happened. One, it obviously began raining but no bother I was prepared. But it was the second that took me by surprise. Those of you who are familiar with my blogs will also be familiar with my unique way of determining the weather. Mainly the heat. Yes, you guessed it, the sweat tache-o-meter was back!! For those of new to my blog ramblings, whenever the heat and humidity is high, my upper lip breaks out in a sweat. And today it was out in force as it was very very warm, despite the rain.
The plan for the day was to follow the banks of the river round as far as I could go and then venture up to the Citadel and battlefields in the upper town. It was a lovely stroll along the front towards the port, enjoying the view of the opposite banks of the river, then it was back up the funicular (fnar fnar) and I began to stroll the wide wooden Terrasse Dufferin. With it's Victorian shelters and wide wooden decking it was a pleasure (also because the rain was keeping many away still) and then I was faced with the walk up the Citadel and the commemorative battlefield park. The 310 steps of the Governors Walkway awaited me. And I counted each one. But it was a lovely climb with a few stops, and the humidity was that high that a mist hung under the canopy of trees like a tropical forest. Once at the top the view was worth it. And the park didn't disappoint either. This was the site of a battle fought by the British. Then I carried on around the walls of the city, and I could see why it has been made a Unesco World Heritage Site. Past the parliament building and stumbling across the fortifications of Quebec artillery park and barracks. This too had a British connection. They had mocked up the building with scenes from certain era's, right up to when it was used in the 1920's. The lovely lady did tell me more, but I have to admit I forgot!
As I left and carried on through the streets, wiping the sweat tache-o-meter on may occasions it was time for a pint. I plumped for the Saint Alexandre pub whose beer menu was over 8 pages long! The one I went for needed to be goo at $9.50 a pint.....As I watched the world go by from the window I planned my next move. Socks. I had only bought one pair but with the rain they were a necessity so if I was to avoid the wearing the same pair of socks for a week and not washing them debacle of my school skiing trip, I needed to buy more.
I wandered some more, visited the underground ruins of the fortress and saying farewell to the upper town I headed back down. The sun was now shining and I sat in the Place Royale and people watched as enough blue sky appeared to make a Sailor a pair of slacks. I found some streets I'd not yet seen and had a quick stop at the Fudgerie (because it made me laugh and sold amazing fudge!!) Another stop by the fountain to plan my evening in the sunshine, cautious that rain was never far away and my sweat tache was still in force. And then I fancied some cheese. Random I know but I just came over me so I headed over to the market opposite my hotel and behind the garage, and purchased a wonderful Quebec camembert and a fresh baguette and nommed away with the seagulls watching the boats (I was watching the boats, the seagulls were watching my baguette)
By now my old legs were getting tired so I popped over the road back to the hotel for a bit of a rest< ready to head out later to experience the city by night (after my rock and roll antics the night before!)
Before I knew it I was back out there, once again wandering the street but now in the glorious evening sun Up that good old funicular again for another look at the view in the sun, then finding a viewpoint of the city that showed that the industrial can mix with the old. Time to find some food and the place I was going to didn't have anything I fancied so I ended up at a funky little place called De Sac. They say never trust a skinny chef and if this guy was anything to go by I'd trust him with my life! So as I sat watching the world go by with a glass of gorgeous Frontenac red and waiting for my food, a couple entered the bar. He had the most pronounced moose knuckle I have ever had the misfortune to see in the flesh (so to speak) And if you aren't familiar with the term, get on google. No wonder his wife was the most forlorn looking woman I had seen in years. Anyhoo, the French onion soup arrived and was a revelation followed by the mini pizza with toppings that included apple, blue cheese, spring onion, chilli, tomato and rabbit to name but a few. All washed down with another wine in a place that I was really starting to feel comfortable in. Amazing what a bit of sun does for you!
As darkness fell and I left the restaurant and as I turned to look back up the street, what I saw took my breath away. There was a view of the Chateau that I have taken many a shot of but this time it was lit up and shrouded in a scary mist and looked incredible. So more pics, another trip up the funicular (the bloke working it recognised me, I'd been up his funicular so often.....) and I just marvelled in how this city changed in the darkness. It was absolutely enchanting. Despite the 20,000 high school kids who appeared in the dark on some kind of school jolly, and whose harassed looking teacher was having trouble controlling.
That aside as I walked back to the hotel (very quickly as I was desperate for a wee) my spirits could not be dampened and even the view from my window of the Esso garage and illuminated grain bilges beyond seemed better in the dark tonight!
And so my time in Quebec comes to an end and I move onto my next point of call. And via a different mode of transport too. More about that tomorrow.
Until then faithful followers and bye bye from Quebec.....(I was going to put that in French but I couldn't spell it properly and the spell check had no idea. Mange tout....)
TTFN!! xxxxx
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