We left St. Anne Des Monts this morning in pretty nice weather, compared to last nights storm. We had a quick walk on the beach before leaving our hotel but it was still cold, cold but clear.
First on each days agenda is to find "good" coffee. A little drive around town and I spotted a red sign for a Cafe Bistro.....yay. I ran in to check if they were equipped with the "right" kind of machines! Second yay! They were! The Cafe was also a very nice looking store with lots of interesting items.....but there was no storekeeper in sight, then I noticed it was a bit dim. We eventually ordered our very good coffees and got back in the car.....only to hear the door click locked behind us! They actually were not open for the day yet. A sign on the door said ouvert 10am and it was just gone 9.
The drive today was as beautiful as yesterday but better because it wasn't raining. St Lawerence on one side and adorable, colourful little houses scattered on the beach above. Most houses have stacks of firewood neatly lined up beside the house. We passed many with signs signifying there was an artist in residence.....alas none appeared to be open. We know we are traveling in the off season, there are perks to that but also drawbacks. From St Anne's we passed through, Cap au Reynard, Rivière la Madeleine, Grand Valley, Gaspe, Perce, Chandler and our final stop Paspebiac.
Of course there were many more towns not mentioned, it seemed like we came upon one every 10km.
We stopped for an hour in Gaspe for coffee (me) jeff (beer) and a walk around the Main Street, we could see it would attract a lot of summer visitors, there are always lots of motels in every town, many closed. The town of Perce was most stunning as the cliffs were enormous dropping what seemed like hundreds of meters into the seaway. Picturesque just does not describe it. I will post photos of it on my fb page. One of these days I will learn to post photos here! ( note to son Terry) Today we have traveled 400 plus km.
Our stay tonight in Parpebiac is at the Auberge Du Parc Inn, it is a 200 year old grand lady of a house, beautifully restored to glory. The house (inn) is managed by a lady who grew up in the house, it is also a full spa, treatments take place in the house itself while guests stay on the grounds in a row of rooms. The grounds are peaceful green with many groves of trees, deer in the yard.
Dinner at the house is a set menu for a set price in a delightful small dining rooms, which there were several. We had our tea in one of the drawing rooms and then looked at some photo books. Lastly we went to the game room where Jeff beat me at two games of pool.
Bon nuit xo
Monday, October 16, 2017
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Montmagny to St Anne Des Mont Quebec Oct. 15/17
We left Montmagny this morning in a rainstorm.......not a Starbucks in sight. Our plan was to drive a little and hopefully hit a private little cafe. Right away we spotted a Macdonalds and then a Tim Hortens.....not for us! Further on down the coast we finally succumbed to macdonalds! Surprisingly decent coffee. I don't think Starbucks has come to small town Quebec.
Our drive took us along the coast beside the st Lawrence river, or better known as the st. Lawerence seaway. There are many little towns, very well kept houses and gardens, painted in lots of different colours, red, yellow, white, grey, brilliant greens too!
We purchased some cheeses, pate, salami, & fruit which we will have for lunch for a couple of days
The leaves are changing but I'd say not finished yet.....colours are yellow, apricot, orange, some green and some red. The weather is very wet so a bit difficult for taking photos or strolling about. This is also Sunday which means most places are closed. We saw lots of cars parked in churchyards.
We are staying in a "motel" right on the Seaway which at this point looks like the ocean. It is blustery and wet out there, fun to see the seagulls hanging in the wind currents and hear the sound of the water. Our abode will close for the season tomorrow!
Tonight we will go out for a meal as we have been told there are a couple of options.
Hoping for better weather tomorrow as we will make our way to Gaspe and beyond.
Au revoir
Murielle (frenchified) xo
Our drive took us along the coast beside the st Lawrence river, or better known as the st. Lawerence seaway. There are many little towns, very well kept houses and gardens, painted in lots of different colours, red, yellow, white, grey, brilliant greens too!
We purchased some cheeses, pate, salami, & fruit which we will have for lunch for a couple of days
The leaves are changing but I'd say not finished yet.....colours are yellow, apricot, orange, some green and some red. The weather is very wet so a bit difficult for taking photos or strolling about. This is also Sunday which means most places are closed. We saw lots of cars parked in churchyards.
We are staying in a "motel" right on the Seaway which at this point looks like the ocean. It is blustery and wet out there, fun to see the seagulls hanging in the wind currents and hear the sound of the water. Our abode will close for the season tomorrow!
Tonight we will go out for a meal as we have been told there are a couple of options.
Hoping for better weather tomorrow as we will make our way to Gaspe and beyond.
Au revoir
Murielle (frenchified) xo
Road Trip Continues October 15/2017
Just arrived in a very small Quebec town Montmagny.....motel called Sympathetic! Spellings are correct! It's clean but old. We wanted to stop in daylight for a change. This morning we had coffee and croissants at niece Shainas and got on the road. They, Shaina and Greg put us up for the night and cooked us a delicious dinner.
We haven't hit the pretty little villages yet but expect to tomorrow . English is not common anywhere which is ok and expected , wish I had brought my French dictionary.Getting my day a bit garbled here......before leaving Ottawa we went to a garden exhibit right near the patliament buildings......called the Mosaicanada150/207 many sculptures that look like topiaries but are sculpted structures filed with live plants......they were to be dismantled this weekend.
Yesterday in Ottawa we went to the national gallery museum.....we were there about 2 1/2 hours, not long enough to take it all in properly but we were weary. I bought a massive tome on the group of seven so will enjoy that.Bon Nuit ,
Murielle (frenchified)
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Vancouver to Newfoundland October 8/2017
We left Vancouver less than 24 hours after I returned from NYC and jeff returned from Arizona........
Driving south into the states where the gas prices are half of that in Canada.
Our days were long as the objective was to get to Toronto on the weekend while ainsley was off work.
We traveled through Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan. Early one morning we left the town of Bismarck and drove into low cloud, it was like a science fiction movie. Lots of small town America, cute little homes lining main streets, many flying the Stars and Stripes. Sadly many were run down as well. Pumpkins were everywhere and many places were already decorated for Halloween. Getting way ahead of the season, we saw our first fully decorated and lit Christmas tree in an American legion!!
We arrived in Toronto late and went to pick up ainsley at Adrian's place.....and Arrow! We went in for drinks, met the fellows and two more doggies.
Happy to be here and sleep in tomorrow. Terry's big birthday ❤️🎶🎂🍾🎉
Nite nite
Driving south into the states where the gas prices are half of that in Canada.
Our days were long as the objective was to get to Toronto on the weekend while ainsley was off work.
We traveled through Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan. Early one morning we left the town of Bismarck and drove into low cloud, it was like a science fiction movie. Lots of small town America, cute little homes lining main streets, many flying the Stars and Stripes. Sadly many were run down as well. Pumpkins were everywhere and many places were already decorated for Halloween. Getting way ahead of the season, we saw our first fully decorated and lit Christmas tree in an American legion!!
We arrived in Toronto late and went to pick up ainsley at Adrian's place.....and Arrow! We went in for drinks, met the fellows and two more doggies.
Happy to be here and sleep in tomorrow. Terry's big birthday ❤️🎶🎂🍾🎉
Nite nite
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Last Day in New York City
We had a few hours left and decided to visit Grand Central Station....an iconic landmark. Joanie, Sandy, Jan and myself opted to do this, the other three went shopping.
We took the subway to Park and 42nd street.
The building outside is impressive with a large iron eagle on one corner and a magnificent Tiffany clock with Greek sculpture over the main entrance. The clock is the largest in the world and weighs 1500tons! When you enter you can't help but look upwards in the main hall and stare at the zodiac art on the ceiling, it is a pale greenish turquoise colour and the constellations of the crab, Milky Way, Perseus, etc are etched in white. Interestingly the constellations are backwards, the Vanderbilt insist this was done purposefully with a divine perspective rather than a human one. The ceiling is now clean but before its restoration it was grimy and dirty, with 70% of the grime being from nicotine......you would have expected it to be soot and ash from the trains.
There is one area called the Whispering Gallery, it is an acoustical anomaly in that sound travels across the chamber, if you stand in opposite corners against the wall and whisper a greeting to someone on the other wall they will hear you. It is not known if this was planned or random.
If you look high up at the many panes windows on each end of the main hall you can see the odd person silhouetted walking across a walkway....the windows are double panes with a narrow walkway built between. This was done to allow office workers on the adjoining buildings to walk between. It is quite a sight to see! Unfortunately not for us to experience.
There is so much more to this place than trains, restaurants, markets, little shops and beautiful architecture, marble and on and on.
The station now only has commuter trains and trains to other towns in NYC state., now the cross country trains depart from Penn Station. I arrived at Grand Central in December 1954 as a child with my mother, brother and baby sister.......I remember being told by mum to sit still on a bench with my brother and to behave ouselves.!!!! Today I sat on one of these same benches and behaved myself. What a great way to finish our vacation. We returned to our hotel and relaxed on the rooftop deck until our transport to the airport arrived. Judy, Marion and Joan returned as well after a successful shopping trip.
Goodbye New York, till the next time xo
We took the subway to Park and 42nd street.
The building outside is impressive with a large iron eagle on one corner and a magnificent Tiffany clock with Greek sculpture over the main entrance. The clock is the largest in the world and weighs 1500tons! When you enter you can't help but look upwards in the main hall and stare at the zodiac art on the ceiling, it is a pale greenish turquoise colour and the constellations of the crab, Milky Way, Perseus, etc are etched in white. Interestingly the constellations are backwards, the Vanderbilt insist this was done purposefully with a divine perspective rather than a human one. The ceiling is now clean but before its restoration it was grimy and dirty, with 70% of the grime being from nicotine......you would have expected it to be soot and ash from the trains.
There is one area called the Whispering Gallery, it is an acoustical anomaly in that sound travels across the chamber, if you stand in opposite corners against the wall and whisper a greeting to someone on the other wall they will hear you. It is not known if this was planned or random.
If you look high up at the many panes windows on each end of the main hall you can see the odd person silhouetted walking across a walkway....the windows are double panes with a narrow walkway built between. This was done to allow office workers on the adjoining buildings to walk between. It is quite a sight to see! Unfortunately not for us to experience.
There is so much more to this place than trains, restaurants, markets, little shops and beautiful architecture, marble and on and on.
The station now only has commuter trains and trains to other towns in NYC state., now the cross country trains depart from Penn Station. I arrived at Grand Central in December 1954 as a child with my mother, brother and baby sister.......I remember being told by mum to sit still on a bench with my brother and to behave ouselves.!!!! Today I sat on one of these same benches and behaved myself. What a great way to finish our vacation. We returned to our hotel and relaxed on the rooftop deck until our transport to the airport arrived. Judy, Marion and Joan returned as well after a successful shopping trip.
Goodbye New York, till the next time xo
Monday, October 2, 2017
Bucket List......tick!
This morning, our second last day in New York we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge. It was quite busy with walkers, cyclists and the odd jogger. The weather was sunny and warm, no wind. A city worker could be seen with a large cutting tool cutting "love locks" off the bridge. Signs on the bridge warn of a big fine if you are caught putting a lock on the bridge. The area on the Brooklyn side, under the bridge is called DUMBO.....which stands for down under manhatten Bridge overpass. There are quite a few small galleries in the Neighbourhood but most seemed to be closed on Monday. We saw a bit of graffiti on our walk and attempted to "read" the bubble letters, which are the artists signature. We had a short walk on the waterfront and took the metro back to the Manhatten side. Next on the bucket list was the Staten Island Ferry. The best part of the ferry, besides the fact that it is free, is the route goes by the Statue of Liberty for a very nice view. It is also a spectacular view looking at Manhatten from the water. It was now a long time since breakfast and back in Manhatten near our hotel we had late lunch at Pazza Norte, pizza is very good, we had a fungi, a chicken BBQ, and arugula prosciutto!
A jam packed day for all.....and it wasn't over yet as we were going to the theatre. Marion and Jan were seeing Kinky Boots, an excellent production that the rest of us had seen, so we went to Miss Saigon. Miss Saigon is a reality play, about Americans in the Vietnam war, very mixed emotions, and also an excellent production.
All good days come to an end and we finished up as has been our usual with wine and then tea all together in one of our hotel rooms.
Tomorrow we will divide and conquer....some of us touring Grand Central Station and others going for retail therapy. I plan on Grand Central as it was where my mother arrived in New York with myself, my brother and baby sister.
Soon after we will be airport bound for our flight back to Vancouver.
Good night New York, New York ! ❤️
A jam packed day for all.....and it wasn't over yet as we were going to the theatre. Marion and Jan were seeing Kinky Boots, an excellent production that the rest of us had seen, so we went to Miss Saigon. Miss Saigon is a reality play, about Americans in the Vietnam war, very mixed emotions, and also an excellent production.
All good days come to an end and we finished up as has been our usual with wine and then tea all together in one of our hotel rooms.
Tomorrow we will divide and conquer....some of us touring Grand Central Station and others going for retail therapy. I plan on Grand Central as it was where my mother arrived in New York with myself, my brother and baby sister.
Soon after we will be airport bound for our flight back to Vancouver.
Good night New York, New York ! ❤️
Sunday, October 1, 2017
A day In Brooklyn
It was an early start today for the four P's as we elected to go to the Brooklyn Tabernacle for the 9am service. Our 3 cohorts would meet us later in the morning.
We left our hotel at 8:15 for the subway to Brooklyn. Trains we have found are not quite as reliable on some days as they could be closed for various reasons......as on Sunday when they are closed for track maintenance. All things considered we arrived at the Tabernacle only a few minutes late. Today was special as there was a large choir visiting, with choir members from around the globe, along with the in house choir which has about 130 members there was an additional 200. The service was lively with lots of singing, standing, swaying and clapping. We were told to greet our seat mates, join hands and praise the lord! The church community were friendly and welcoming. The service lasted just over one hour. We next made our way, by subway to another part of Brooklyn, Bushwick collective on Troutman St. where we were meeting up with Judy, Marion and Joan at a cafe. We joined them for coffee and awaited Brent who we had engaged to take us on a graffiti street tour. It was quite interesting to people watch the very artsy types in this area.
When Brent arrived he gave us a little history of the area and how the graffiti movement got started. The area encompassed a few square blocks that is mainly light industrial, buildings made of corrugated tin, low rise for the most part. There is a young fellow, age 30, named Joe whose father owned a factory in the area. Joes father passed away quite tragically, he was mugged and murdered, shortly after this his mother became ill with cancer and passed away. Joe was left with his fathers factory, and he wanted to do something in the neighbourhood. There were young people tagging buildings and he took charge encouraging businesses to have their walls, which were ugly grey and industrial painted by these talented young artists. This artistry grew and now many buildings are beautifully decorated and people come from all over the world to view them. The Painters are from Japan, Los Angeles and also the locals who were born and raised in the area. The art changes, pretty much once a year most of the art is turned over. At the beginning of June the artists take two days and whitewash over the art readying it for new work. This two day period turns into a giant party scene. There are three styles of art, bubble, which is basically fat lettering, wild and mechanical. To learn more about this fascinating area you can go to you tube bushwick collective style wars (1983). There are well known graffiti artists whose work you can follow....@whiste, @sipros_sipros , @leehill and @leaf. Our guide Brent is leaf. After a very interesting tour of the area we went to Brents studio and participated in making a large canvas of our very own graffiti art. It was fun to learn how to apply the spray paint and we all enjoyed it very much.
Definitely a highlight for us all.
Brent told us of a good restaurant in the area where we got very fresh Mexican food. We then made our way to the subway for our trip back to Manhattan. . We arrived back at our hotel to put our feet up and prepare for dinner out. Drinks on the 23rd floor till 7 then we walked out to the Fig and Olive restaurant. Everyone had a wonderful meal!
On the way back we enjoyed the window displays at Bergdorf' Goodmans.
Tea in the party room and a few laughs and agreement on a meeting time for breakfast tomorrow.
Goodnight New York!
We left our hotel at 8:15 for the subway to Brooklyn. Trains we have found are not quite as reliable on some days as they could be closed for various reasons......as on Sunday when they are closed for track maintenance. All things considered we arrived at the Tabernacle only a few minutes late. Today was special as there was a large choir visiting, with choir members from around the globe, along with the in house choir which has about 130 members there was an additional 200. The service was lively with lots of singing, standing, swaying and clapping. We were told to greet our seat mates, join hands and praise the lord! The church community were friendly and welcoming. The service lasted just over one hour. We next made our way, by subway to another part of Brooklyn, Bushwick collective on Troutman St. where we were meeting up with Judy, Marion and Joan at a cafe. We joined them for coffee and awaited Brent who we had engaged to take us on a graffiti street tour. It was quite interesting to people watch the very artsy types in this area.
When Brent arrived he gave us a little history of the area and how the graffiti movement got started. The area encompassed a few square blocks that is mainly light industrial, buildings made of corrugated tin, low rise for the most part. There is a young fellow, age 30, named Joe whose father owned a factory in the area. Joes father passed away quite tragically, he was mugged and murdered, shortly after this his mother became ill with cancer and passed away. Joe was left with his fathers factory, and he wanted to do something in the neighbourhood. There were young people tagging buildings and he took charge encouraging businesses to have their walls, which were ugly grey and industrial painted by these talented young artists. This artistry grew and now many buildings are beautifully decorated and people come from all over the world to view them. The Painters are from Japan, Los Angeles and also the locals who were born and raised in the area. The art changes, pretty much once a year most of the art is turned over. At the beginning of June the artists take two days and whitewash over the art readying it for new work. This two day period turns into a giant party scene. There are three styles of art, bubble, which is basically fat lettering, wild and mechanical. To learn more about this fascinating area you can go to you tube bushwick collective style wars (1983). There are well known graffiti artists whose work you can follow....@whiste, @sipros_sipros , @leehill and @leaf. Our guide Brent is leaf. After a very interesting tour of the area we went to Brents studio and participated in making a large canvas of our very own graffiti art. It was fun to learn how to apply the spray paint and we all enjoyed it very much.
Definitely a highlight for us all.
Brent told us of a good restaurant in the area where we got very fresh Mexican food. We then made our way to the subway for our trip back to Manhattan. . We arrived back at our hotel to put our feet up and prepare for dinner out. Drinks on the 23rd floor till 7 then we walked out to the Fig and Olive restaurant. Everyone had a wonderful meal!
On the way back we enjoyed the window displays at Bergdorf' Goodmans.
Tea in the party room and a few laughs and agreement on a meeting time for breakfast tomorrow.
Goodnight New York!
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