As luck would have it, we experienced our first day of rain when our walking tour of Old Montreal was scheduled. We hopped the metro and made our way to the “Loop” (pictured yesterday) where we met fellow travelers. Most were from the US and Europe, as well as Australia. There was only one other Canadian couple on the tour.

As I am sure that you know, Montreal is made up of a number of islands surrounded by the St Lawrence River to the south and the Riviere des Prairies to the north. Mount Royal is the hill that raises above the city (more about this in a future post).

My photos are not in the order that we saw them on the tour. I was taken by the gallantry of this statue. It looked like one of the three Musketeers to me but in fact it is of Paul de Chomedy. He founded Fort Ville-Marie which later grew into Montreal.

This is Le Petit Dep a cafe and grocery store in old Montreal. I took the picture because I am a lover of all things turquoise and then I realized that I had enjoyed their hospitality on a previous trip to Montreal

Across the river on one of our stops, we spotted Habitat 67. Erected from cement modules for Expo 67 (the World’s Fair) that Montreal hosted, it was designed as a project by a student at nearby McGill University. Our tour guide pointed out that it is the most expensive property in Quebec.

This ornate, vaulted ceiling enhanced with gold was once the headquarters for the Royal Bank (no wonder my bank fees are so high). We saw it on the part of the tour that was conducted inside. Montreal’s Underground City is necessary because of their harsh winters and abundance of snow, as well as the city’s hot, humid summer climate. It links Metro stations to to shopping plazas for over 33 kilometers!

This colourful landmark is a piece of the Berlin wall, giving to Canada to represent the triumph of unity, reconciliation and community. Interesting that just yesterday, Germany discouraged the wording of Canada becoming an associate member of the European Union.

We strolled through Montreal’s World Trade Centre under its glass atrium.

Back at street level, this building once housed the Molson’s Bank. I guess you have to own your own bank to afford an NHL team in Montreal. In Winnipeg the Jets are owned by one local family.

We spent time in Place d’Arms gazing at the Notre Dame Basilica. We went into the church on a future day.

The “Gossipers” is my favourite Montreal Monument. I have paid tribute to it on my three plus visits to the old city. I have renamed it “Three Sistas”.

With all that walking in the rain, we were chilly, tired and hungry. We discovered “Le Vieux Senateur” where we shared moules et frites, French onion soup and warm little buns, freshly out of the oven. D enjoyed a local beer and I a cuppa tea with milk and honey.

We bought fixings for a light supper at home and made our way there by Metro. It was a cozy night with our books (and wine).

Kath’s quote: “Chilly night, cozy blanket, warm husband.”-authour unknown

Love never fails.

The Metro was literally around the corner from us so we hopped on and navigated our way to St. Georges Anglican church for Sunday service. Our friend Brett used to pastor there. You may recognize it and the nearby park from “Just for Laughs”. The church is a Designated Historic Site of Canada. We found many of these sites around Montreal and Quebec City. That is because churches, being an important piece of our history, are too expensive to keep open on a daily basis. No congregation could support the church’s operation and so the Federal Government kicks in. St Georges was built in 1869 in the High Victoria Gothic Revival Style. I make this specific statement since our friend Brett might read this. Besides being a priest, he is an architect and I know that specifics are important to him.

St George’s is on STANLEY St. See if you can guess the connection with the next picture.

D had to get a picture of himself dissing the Habs (NHL Montreal Canadiens) to bug a friend who is a diehard fan.

Next up was our mission to find chocolate croissants for breakfast. They were the second item on our “must eat” list (poutine being the first).

We were in the vicinity of another historic landmark. Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral was built as a Roman Catholic place of worship. Building commenced in 1870 and was based on the model of St Peter’s in Rome (you wouldn’t recognize that from this angle). It is an example of the Baroque Revival Style, right Brett?

Nearby was the Macdonald Monument in Place du Canada. It was unveiled in 1895. Just yesterday, Wab Kinew (Premier of my province of Manitoba) challenged Mark Carney to abolish the Indian Act which was written in part by John A Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada.

We knew that we were very near the Ring. We were to meet there the following morning for a walking tour, so we scoped out the location in advance.

We found the Metro again and then made our way to Jean Talon Market. I loved these dahlias on display and for sale.

They had so many good food offerings from around the world. I enjoyed a vermicelli bowl and D enjoyed a couple of varieties of arancini. We first tasted these in Sicily.

We stopped for some supper fixings and then walked home. We put on 14,000 steps that day. Pretty good for a guy that just got out of a walking cast. We had 3 hr walking tour the next day so we rested up with our books for the evening.

Our Home Exchange was in the perfect location but was a bit spartan for our tastes. For example, there was no TV. When we travel we like to do some of the same things that we enjoy at home, like watching a favourite Police Drama. It is one of the ways that we feel like locals and not tourists. Que sera…reading is nice too.

Kath’s quote: “The only way to truly get a feel of the local life is to spend a few days with someone born there.“-author unknown. Our Home Exchange host was from Nice, France but you get my drift.

Love never fails.

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.

In the hood for my last weekend.

I walked down to the Malecon for sunrise, but the sky was actually more dramatic from the balcony. Got caught up on my writing from the apt. Actually cooked-grilled Manchego for brekkie and popcorn for lunch (I guess the latter doesn’t really count as cooking). Napped in a lounger on the roof. Then I decided it was high time to get out for a walk (but my phone was charging so no pics). Checked out what will be the new restaurant for a new friend, chatted with Lupita, Rafa, Ana and finally my beautiful friends at Dulzura Argenta.. That evening I met IRL someone I have known for eons on line. We had a delicious dinner at Konita’s Cantina . https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/la-konita-kantina/. She gave me a windy ride home in her golfcart.

Time to get organized.

I loved my stay at Candes Apartments especially the balcony. Moved “home” and got Sue and Donnas storage bin ready to go. Started packing myself up. Got to witness the peaceful and cheerful “No Kings” demonstration. A polite reception except for 1 person who was rude, belligerent and babbling about nonsense. Sound familiar? Skirted the rain outbursts for a lovely dinner at Lorreta’s. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/lorettas-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/. Windy golfcart ride home courtesy of my wonderful friend. Life is good. God is good.

The Edge of my Stay.

Spent the day in the little courtyard by this apartment. Finished a book and started another. I wondered to myself: why not read on the beach or the malecon? I realised that the pleasure is just to be outside all day long. Heavenly dinner at Edge of the World with Penny. Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/the-edge-of-the-world-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/

My days are counted.

Sunrise from a different section of the malecon. Next door to this “tiny” gecko mural. Wrote a lot by the window to the courtyard. Then off to meet a dear friend at North Garden for a great breakfast. Love my new digs on my “old” street. On centro beach for sunset. Light supper of leftovers meant I could indulge in a treat from Juanita café. Another perfect day. Life is good and God is good.