Our last full day in Montreal

Today was quilt fabric shopping day. We bought a day pass for the Metro (subway) and went looking for quilt shops. The first shop we found was a fabric store with thousands of bolts of any kind of fabric you could think of. I purchased some really nice cottons that I could use.  We decide to walk down Ste Hubert St to window shop all the beautiful stores. It turned out to be all bridal or grad dresses but we enjoyed them anyway. 

We found a quilt shop along the way but I didn't like the choice of fabric so we decided to stop for a coffee and then go back to the first store. We got back on the bus and Lynda had forgotten the bags at the coffee shop. She hopped off and I continued on and bought more fabric, of course. 

We then took the metro back down to old Montreal so we could spend our last day there. It was very cold again today so after a late lunch we took the metro back to our hotel. 

We are packed ready for tomorrow and having a quiet night and will be on our way home in the morning. 

Peggy

Montreal.

We arrived in Montreal on Tuesday and got settled into our hotel then went out to get in touch with our surroundings. After dinner we scoped out what we would be doing the next day. We were chased out of beds at 6 am by construction vehicles under our window. We complained and got a bigger room in a quieter area of the hotel.  After a light breakfast we decided to go on the hop on hop off bus. We stayed on for a full circuit and nearly froze it was so cool here. We went back to the hotel and put on extra clothes so we would be comfortable for the rest of the day. 

We got back on the bus and visited old Montreal, Bonsecour market and Notre dame de Bonsecour church one of the oldest churches in Montreal. We got back on the bus and walked through the village. Over the road that is a pedestrian walkway are thousands of pink balls strung across the road. 

Today we went to St Joseph's Oratory and walked to the lookout on Mount Royal. Years ago I used to go to these places on a regular basis when I lived in Montreal. At the lookout you can see most of Montreal and the centre thing is the library at McGill University which is a circular building. 

We have enjoyed some great meals including a Montreal smoked meat sandwich which Montreal is famous for.  Tomorrow we go looking for quilt shops. 

Peggy

Our bus tour to Ste Anne de Beaupre

We rarely take a bus trip but decided this time that it was the best way to see the countryside and the shrine.  

We were picked up at our hotel and then dropped off at the Chateau Frontenac where we got on another bus to start our tour. We crossed the St. Lawrence river and took a mini tour of the Ille de Orleans.  The driver pointed out points of interest and some local history of the island. We had a small stop at a chocolatier for a cup of coffee and then started off again this time for Montmorency falls.  Lynda and I were lucky to be able to take the cable car up to the top of the falls.  I say that because when we got to the falls there were at least 80 people ahead of us wanting to get on the cable car. I don't think anyone else on our tour was as lucky as us. 

Our next stop was The Copper Art shop.  Albert Gilles was a very talented artist who worked in copper.  Lynda bought a pair of earrings with roosters made from copper. Mr Gilles also made the large copper doors at the Basilica of Ste Anne.  

We had one more stop and that was Chez Marie. Here they made homemade bread and cinnamon buns but the best part was the homemade maple butter that was spread on the delicacies. Our best lunch of the trip. 

Then it was on to Ste Anne de Beaupre. This is a beautiful Basilica that was rebuilt in 1923 because the previous one was burned down. In 1876, St Anne was proclaimed the patroness of the province of Quebec and that year the first basilica was built.  We spent about an hour here, just taking in the huge church. On our way back to the bus there was a small glass building with a sign "blessings" on it. We went in and an older priest was there and he blessed us.  It was a very moving experience. 

Now it was time to return to the city.  Our driver dropped us off back at our starting point. He could have taken us back to our hotel but it was a beautiful day so we decided to stay in old town and walk back to the hotel. After standing in line for ice cream we made our way back to the hotel. Tired and weary after an hours walk we were back. A late dinner and some reading finished our night. 

Peggy