A little preamble, to set the stage. The truth is, I didn’t really “need” a vacation. Some might say that I was already on an extended one. We had spent months at Lester Beach because our city home was occupied by a professional athlete and his wife who was just about to have their first baby. It was the best of both worlds, because they wanted a cozy nest for their little one and we had plans for the revenue that their stay would bring in.

I love almost every month at the lake but September is my favourite. Our lake house isn’t grand central station with kids, grandkids and dogs coming and going. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE when they are there but I also love when it is just D and I. The weather was still summer like, the flowers were still blooming and the leaves had just started their transformation from green to gold. I was enjoying walks along the beach, coffee on the sunny deck and cozy evenings in the gazebo. No, I didn’t really need a holiday but D sure did! He had dislocated his ankle and broken two bones on Father’s Day in June. He rarely made it to the beach and couldn’t do all the improvements that he had planned for summer. But worst of all…he couldn’t play tennis, which was heartbreaking for him. So, Montreal was his consolation prize for being the most patient patient (not a grammatical error). The day before our departure, he got the go ahead from his surgeon that he could “lose the boot”, meaning he could drive and walk without an apparatus again.

D made all the arrangements for the trip including finding us a great deal direct to Montreal with Porter Airlines. They had lots of room for our carry on and although the seating was no less cramped then airlines now adays, there were some perks. That being free wifi so I could read on my kobo and free wine!

We arrived at Montreal’s newest airport, having enjoyed the islands of area as we landed. With carry on, we were out the door in no time. Unfortunately UBER was not our friend that day. Not Only did we have to cope with the local cab drivers who heckled us for spending our money with a American company, Uber keep dropping our request with no explanation as to why. We were definitely the last people from our flight to leave the airport and suffice it to say, D deleted their app thereafter. This gorgeous Canadian flag waved at us as we finally drove away, reminding us to be patient and kind in all circumstances.

Our Home Exchange was conveniently located in the Mile End neighbourhood so we were just around the corner from a poutine joint recommended by daughter Bek and her husband Seb, the latter being the “Frenchman” of our family.

The sun was just setting and the evening was still mild.

We found Chez Claudette easily and walked by it numerous times during our stay.

This was a sure sign that we had come to the right place. Soon after our arrival, every single seat in the place was filled, mostly with hungry students. There are so many post secondary schools in the city that there is a young crowd and vibe every where we visited. Our own two daughters visited Montreal to further their education.

But to the food! We chose to split the Quebecoise Poutine which included bacon, chicken, onions, mushrooms and little peas as well as the abundance of cheese curds and sauce brune (brown gravy). It was perfectly decadent and so cheap. It was the perfect first meal in this city of restaurants on every corner. We could not believe that we had left Winnipeg just that morning. We felt transported away from another time and another space.

We stopped to shop for breakfast staples on the walk home and met this beauty shopping with her Dad. Oh, oh. We were missing the Grands already!

Kath’s quote: “Montreal, je t’aime.”

Love never fails.