Day 29 - Montreal Bound - Hello Quebec

It is always exciting when we are leaving a city for a new place.  Today we wake and we slowly get ready.  We load up the car then walk over to the coffee shop to get coffees to go for the ride.

It is another lovely day and we are both ready to move to a new Province.  We have been in Ontario for 9 days!  

We both really like Ottawa and would really like to come back some time.  We also LOVED our Airbnb.

Today I planned to meet up with a high school friend who now lives in Riviere Beaudette which is just East of the Ontario border. 

While driving there we are driving down a country road and are coming into the town of St. Andrew.  On a sign it announces that the grave of Simon Fraser is here! Wow what a small world.  You see Simon Fraser is a well known explorer who explorer and the path to the West Coast.  The large Fraser River in British Columbia is named after him.  In fact we really have to thank him for making sure B.C. is part of Canada.  A university in the lower mainland of Vancouver is named after him.  Simon Fraser University!

We stop and check out his grave.  

But right near it is the grave of John MacDonald who was a Premier of Ontario.  Seems odd that Simon Fraser's grave is so small and nondescript beside the Premier's grave.  Mr. Fraser's was a much bigger contributor to Canada!

I just love when we stop like this and learn something.  Because we are able to just stop whenever we want gives us the freedom to explore!

Today marks four weeks that we have been on the road!  Now when we talk to people many have a lot of questions of where we are from, where we are going and why.  A lot of people notice our license plate and some comment - boy you are far from home - actually we are getting closer to our new home.

We cross into Quebec. There is a lovely sign welcoming us to Quebec but it is right on the highway and there is no place to pull over and take pictures like we have seen in all other province entrances.  So sorry to picture of us entering Quebec.

I meet up with my good friend Lizette from high school.  Oh the fun we had in school.  Lots of sleep overs at each other's place and all the boy talk!

Here is a picture of us today!

Here is a picture of us from high school graduation - 1982 - Richmond Regional High School, Quebec.  We haven't changed - LOL

I have not seen Lizette in around 20 years!  But it feels like yesterday and we spend the next two hours talking and catching up.  I hope we can see more of each other now that I am closer.

We stop at a grocery store for some food items.  We try not to buy too much stuff as we just do not have the storage for it.  So we usually end up buying a few pieces of fruit and often a fruit salad, some vegetables to munch on. Some bread, often some cheese, and today we got some beans as well.  We will have a basic dinner of beans and toast.

Back on the road we are heading to Montreal. We are here for four nights and again we booked an Airbnb.  Here is a link to our accommodations. 

When we arrive there are hot croissants on the counter ready for us!

a whole wall of windows

Remember if you are interested at all in staying at an Airbnb in the future, click on this link and register and when you have you first stay you will get a discount.  

We are staying in a cute studio apartment near Old Montreal and we can walk to many places or easily take transit.

However tonight we are staying in.  We actually have cable!  And one thing we have missed is just relaxing and reading, watching tv, and having a quiet afternoon/evening.  Tomorrow we will hit the ground running.

Here is our scavenger hunt list today:

• Moose
• Deer
• Hitchhiker
• Eagle/Hawk
• Licence plates from every Province in Canada - but you can not count the province you are in.  So if we see an Alberta plate in BC then it counts, but not if we are in Alberta. British Columbia Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Yukon, and North West Territory
• Skunk - saw a dead one
• Sheep
• Beaver
• Goslings
• Buffalo
• Goat
• Owl
• Bear
• Loon
• Crane
• Prairie Dog
• Fisherman fishing
• Canoe
• Hummingbird
• Antique car on the road
• Old VW Bug
• Car broken down on the side of the road
• Helicopter on the ground
• Airplane on the ground
• Speeding ticket- hopefully not our own
• Ambulance with sirens on
• Dump truck
• Line painting crew at work
• Mail delivery person walking their route
• Cruise Ship 
• Coyote 
• RCMP officer
• Hop on Hop off Bus
• Sea Glass
• Lobster

If you have any items you think we should add to our scavenger hunt list, let us know.

So Today's Stats 
Driving distance today 217 k
Total distance 7377 km

Day 28 - More Ottawa and RCMP Anyone

We had a slow start this morning, relaxing and enjoying visiting.

Today we have no set plans and Bernie suggests Rideau Hall.  We drive towards the site and park right beside the Consulate for France.  And then there is 24 Sussex the home of our Prime Minster Justin Trudeau.  But we can not visit so we wave and take a picture and move on.

This is as close as Bea could get

Rideau Hall (the Home of the Canadian Governor General -Julie Payette) is a block away and it is such a beautiful day it is lovely to just visit the grounds which are quite extensive.  

Do you not know what a Governor General is? Well I have many readers who are not probably aware.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, where the duties of head of State and head of Government are distinct. Canada’s Parliament consists of three parts: the Queen, represented by the governor general; the Senate; and the House of Commons.  So the role of the Governor General is our representation of the Crown.  

Of course she does a lot!  Check out the website to learn more.

Visiting Rideau Hall is free and there are free guided tours as well.  Just show up and you will be assigned to a tour group.  They offer them in English and in French. Here are some highlights.

We meet with our guide Molly - who was celebrating a birthday today!  

Check out the Chandelier.  It was given to the Canadian People from Great Britain in gratitude for the assistance provided during the Second World War.  It hangs in the Ballroom at Rideau Hall, where the chandelier still hangs today. The chandelier is neo-classical in style and consists of 12,000 pieces of crystal and 80 bulbs; it weighs one tonne.

Here are examples of some of the medals that are handed out to very deserving Canadians.

This is what the Governor General wears, notice Bea likes it too.

The famous tent room.  Yes that is fabric on the ceiling and walls.  This room is used as a gathering spot for events. Very interesting!

I love the artwork throughout the Hall. All Canadian Artist, and in this room it shows how immigration formed this country.  The above pictures show the settlers that went to the Prairies. The harsh winters and then the summer harvest.

This image above of immigrates travelling across oceans and seeing the land they were going to.  

It is very hot out and the fountain in front is so cold!  

No sign of Prime Minster Trudea or the family - not even sure if they are in Ottawa right - probably not as the G7 gathering is happening in Quebec.

While on the tour two couples said they had just visited the RCMP Ride Center.  So we decide to visit it too.  Another free site for visitors.

A video I found on Youtube that shows the RCMP Musical Ride.  

Here you learn what it is like to be part of the RCMP Musical Ride.  Serving members of the RCMP apply and if selected they come here for training.  If they are the right fit they are chosen and serve for two years full time.  

This is where they train, especially in Winter.  Huge and mirrors on the walls so they can see how they are performing. The Ground is sand so it is very soft for the horses.

Each horse is black and may have a bit of white. They have to be a certain size to qualify.  Did you know each horse is considered to be a member of the RCMP!  Once they have finished their career performing they are retired to a beautiful farm.

They practice all winter long, they take care of their horses and in the Summer they tour.  This year the RCMP Musical Ride will be touring in Ontario and British Columbia.  Here is their schedule this summer. 

They had a really cute gift shop. Bea feels right at home.  In fact we find her siblings - her exact replicas (makes sense since we bought her close to the RCMP training in Regina).

We head to lunch and get a great table outside on this beautiful Sunday.  Cheers Meghan -- thanks for coming up to see us.

For dessert it only makes sense that we have a beaver tail - a quintessential dessert in Canada.  Of course Bea was a little concerned someone would munch down on her tail accidentally.  

We take Meghan to the airport and then we are sad!  Yes we miss you already Meghan.

Tonight we head out to join a Ghost Walk Tour.  It is only a 20 minute walk away and we meet up with a large group right near the Parliament Buildings.

We booked thru Viator but you can book directly here with The Haunted Walk.  

Our guide is an excellent story teller who keeps us on our toes with stories and tales of mysterious events! 

Day 27 - Day in Ottawa - Canal Cruise and Afternoon Tea

We had a lovely evening with Meghan and stayed up until 1;30 am.  But it was so lovely to see her again.

When we wake up we take our time getting ready.

The apartment is so nice and close to everything.  We walk into town getting coffees along the way.

Look here is the Ottawa Hop on Hop Off Bus!

We walk to the red chairs and have a seat and relax.  The sun is shining.  It is a beautiful day.

Today we have booked a Canal Cruise with Rideau Canal Cruise.  

It is a lovely boat that is run by electricity and we get a table right at the back - and hey there is always time for wine! 

Check out this Muster Drill.

Chateau Laurier in the background

Can not get anymore Canadian!

The Canadian National Defense
Our version of the US Pentagon

After a great tour up the Rideau Canal which was an hour and a half.  We walk up to the market.

I had booked afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier to surprise Meghan.  You see on board the Royal Princess we often did afternoon tea together - especially up at the Sanctuary. So it is a nice option to have tea on land.

our wonderful server really took a shine to Bea

Tea was WONDERFUL - and we are full.  We even take most of the sweets back to the apartment.

We had a wonderful day and we are back at the apartment and we rest for a bit.

The evening was a quiet one.  We ended up ordering Thai food and watched Grace and Frankie on Netflix.  Oh and wine and champagne played a role.

Here is our scavenger hunt list today:

• Moose
• Deer
• Hitchhiker
• Eagle/Hawk
• Licence plates from every Province in Canada - but you can not count the province you are in.  So if we see an Alberta plate in BC then it counts, but not if we are in Alberta. British Columbia  Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Yukon, and North West Territory
• Skunk - saw a dead one
• Sheep
• Beaver
• Goslings
• Buffalo
• Goat
• Owl
• Bear
• Loon
• Crane
• Prairie Dog
• Fisherman fishing
• Canoe
• Hummingbird
• Antique car on the road
• Old VW Bug
• Car broken down on the side of the road
• Helicopter on the ground
• Airplane on the ground
• Speeding ticket- hopefully not our own
• Ambulance with sirens on
• Dump truck
• Line painting crew at work
• Mail delivery person walking their route
• Cruise Ship 
• Coyote 
• RCMP officer
• Hop on Hop off Bus
• Sea Glass
• Lobster

If you have any items you think we should add to our scavenger hunt list, let us know.