Thursday, 27 May 2010

Thursday, 6 May 2010

Montreal and Quebec City

A road trip with Marty, Ian, Andy, Sara...

...and Andrea...
...to Montreal.


Stopping in at a lively market...

...to sample the tasty produce.


Then on the road again - to Quebec City; seat of the Quebec Parliament:


and the only walled city in North America.

There's quite a bit going on outside the walls as well: industry dominates the horizon.


Starting off our day in QC the French style; with a raclette: an enormous platter of bread, meat, potato, eggs and fruit that we cooked ourselves on a hot plate. 


The Plains of Abraham; site of the decisive battle between the French and British that dictated the sovereignty of Canada:


Monument to the fallen French and British soldiers:


Exploring the old town...


...street cafes after the rain in the evening sun...



The church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires: named by the French after British forces were forced to retreat!


Place Royal, the centre of the Lower Old Town...


...and the pub in which we stopped for a drink. In the converted basement of a building built in 1754.


The Hotel Chateau Frontenac rising above the Lower Town. Reputedly the most photographed hotel in the world, and the site of meetings between Churchill and Roosevelt during WWII.


Our second morning in QC gave us a walk around the city walls, passing the armory...


...canons...


...and many interesting views.


 

Finally a walk back through the centre of the Upper Old Town before hitting the road.