Day 27
An early start and a trip to the Citadel for the first of the season changing of the guard at 10 am. I have been to the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle in London which lasts a few minutes. This was quite a production lasting almost 45 minutes and included a soldier marching band, a soldier bugler and a goat (the mascot of the 22nd Regiment). After the changing of the guard, a tour of the Citadel including buildings dating to the late 1600's. Lunch at Paillard Patisserie with sandwiches followed by more pastries, a Jesuite (flaky layers of dough filled frangipane creme and topped with almonds) and a chocolate banana croissant, and then back to the Citadel for a tour of the Governor General’s second residence (the first being Rideau Hall in Ottawa which we visited earlier in the trip). More city walking and a stop at a café before returning to the coach for dinner.
Day 26
First stop the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (Montmorency Falls Park). A spectacular waterfall that at 270 feet is 98 feet taller than Niagara. A suspension bridge spans the waterfall and a staircase down the steep cliff took us to the bottom of the falls. Toward the bottom, the staircase splits into two paths, a dry one and one which was not too dry. We parted with Aaron at that point and re-joined him at the bottom. Aaron, needless to say, was not too dry. We opted not to take the gondola back up but ascended the stairway. I did not count the steps but it must have been in the thousands, or at least it felt like it. Lunch at Croquembouche Patisserie and then a visit to and tour of the National Assembly (the Provincial Parliament). The Provincial government has no executive and only one legislative chamber, the House of Lords (the upper chamber) having been dissolved. We walked all over the Old City visiting sites along the way including another Notre Dame Basilica. Dinner at La Buche, featuring Quebecoise cuisine. A starter of soupe aux pois (pea soup), a Quebec must, was delicious, reminiscent of a bisque style meaning lots of heavy cream. Aaron and I shared the meat tourtiere which consisted of pork, beef and venison in pastry crust and the pate chinois (wine braised beef) topped with house made maplewood smoked bacon. Outrageous and worth the years probably taken off my life. Best bacon I have ever had. Maybe an extra statin would be a good idea. Rosemary had a lobster salad with fennel, blueberries and loads of other things and which came with 3 claws. Happiness galore!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Quebec City, QC
Day 25
Slept late after the previous late night. Travel day to Quebec City, the Capital of the Quebec Province. Travel along the Canadian equivalent of an interstate, the expressway was quite rough in areas. So much shaking going on that just as we were about to go over the bridge crossing the St. Lawrence river our front windshield shade came crashing down on the driver’s side. Fortunately, it only partially blocked my view if I sat tall in the chair and slightly to the left. To see to the passengers side I just shifted a little right and hunched down. What fun! With nowhere to stop we continued on another about 15 minutes and checked into the Ville de Quebec campground. With Aaron’s help, we were able to effect repairs. Visited Old Quebec Basse-Ville (Lower Town) and ate dinner at Le Lapin Saute (the jumping rabbit). I had the rabbit in two sauces, one a berry red wine sauce and the other a two mustards sauce, both very good. Rosemary also had the rabbit with only the berry red wine sauce. Aaron had the rabbit tourtiere, basically rabbit in puff pastry. All very good and no wings! After dinner we walked around the lower town and then up the Breakneck Stairs to the upper town and a visit to the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, walk along the Dufferin Terrace with views overlooking the lower town and the St. Lawrence River.
