The trip from Niagara to Toronto was interesting although we were surprised at the flatness of the countryside and the volume of strip development along the roads. The whole area reeked of past hey-days. Much of the countryside between Toronto and Montreal was marshy lowlands.
We enjoyed our time in Montreal and the three days there passed very quickly. Our hotel, Hotel Epik, is a charming small boutique establishment on Rue St Paul west, right in the centre of the old town and behind the Cathedral. Some of the streets had cobble stones and were tricky enough with flat shoes, but we saw many a stiletto trotting past. Certainly there was some chic dressing, so Fran enthusiastically donned her Italian wool hat and not just to be fashionable. It kept her ears and head very snug against a biting chill at times.
We purchased a three day metro bus which enabled us to easily get around using the efficient metro system and the buses. One of our trips included a visit to St Joseph's Oratory on the top of Mont Royal which provides a good view of Montreal and the surrounds. Pilgrims to the site approach the church on their knees, so one staircase is reserved for them....and a slight concession, those stairs are made of wood, not concrete. Don't think it would make much difference!
In the afternoon on Friday as the sun started to shine we hired bikes and rode along the Canal de Lachine. Passing a lock we stopped to reminisce about our adventures last year along the Burgundy canal in France, but saw no activity -- nor any crazy Australians swearing and struggling with ropes and out of control boats.
A stop at Atwater Markets and a late lunch gave us the fuel to get back on the bikes and head off over the St Lawrence River to Parc Jean Drapeau on the Ile St Helene where we saw the pool and the open water course where the recent FINA World Masters swimming championships were held. The weather was too cold for swimming now though. It was there also that we decided to venture out a very short way on the Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit where the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix is held each year. We were at risk of being mown down by dangerously serious, Lycra clad, end of week cycling enthusiasts. They must have wondered what was ahead of them when they came upon Ma and Pa Kettle tootling along in their wet weather gear on rent-a-bikes. It was slightly un-nerving and Adrian, bringing up the rear, was heard to shout "keep right" and "get over" as yet another peloton zoomed past.
That night we met up with Fran's friend Joy and husband Dave for a pleasant meal in downtown Montreal. Joy is spending time in both Canada and the US on a Churchill Fellowship.
Our last day in Montreal was very wet so we headed to indoor destinations and as the weather deteriorated further, we purchased a couple of neat umbrellas. In search of a good coffee, we stumbled upon a Nespresso outlet and enjoyed a very nice brew. Adrian's coffee looked more like a Guinness when it arrived!! We spent a very pleasant last few hours in Montreal having a late lunch in a bistro in the old town before heading for the station.
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Nice one M & D!
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