Fri, Sat, Sun June 30-July 2 Isle La Mott anchorage to St. Jean, Canada

Fri, Sat, Sun June 30-July 2  Isle La Mott anchorage to St. Jean, Canada     

Tom arose first only to find the fly-bridge, bimini top, windows and aft deck covered with small May flies - so he went back to bed.  Later he got out the shop vac and started eliminating the flies - but there were just too many that at times is appeared fruitless.  The next adventure involved hoisting the anchor.  It seemed it was holding very well - so much so that the anchor windlass strained to pull up a chunk of cement-like mixture.  We poked and chiseled the mixture off the anchor with much effort.  

The easiest obstacle of the day was passing thru Canadian Customs.  The agents were friendly and made the entry effortless.  We continues on to Le Nautique St Jean marina.  We were greeted by 2 cute French dockhands - in the rain - who helped us into a finger pier.  Our hosts told us of the weekend celebration for Canada Day.  With rain gear on, we explored town, stopping for dinner.  Our first dining experience was delicious burgers, beer and poutine.  We walked to the park to listen to the band - singing both French and English - some Beatles too.  Tom also enjoyed their late night performances from the back deck of the boat.

Saturday - rainy and gray  When the rain stopped, we immediately head out with our umbrellas in hand to walk to see the lock at the start of the Chambly Canal - it is small - very small.  It will be a tight fit.  The locking crew consists of 3 people and they are also responsible for lifting the bridges near the locks. They  speak some English and are very helpful with their expectations and reassure us the locking will go smoothly.  We stop back at Short Vacation and the 4 of us head to Captaines Pouf for fish and chips - delicious.  At the park, a popular French band, Les Cowboys Frigrant, was playing, a real crowd pleaser with many people singing along.  We enjoyed the music until the rain turned into a downpour.  By 9 pm the  rain had stopped again - just in time for the fireworks.  Colletta loves fireworks and everyone enjoyed the celebration in the sky.      

Sunday - gray morning, but it is not raining yet - and today it didn't rain.  We went for a bike ride along the canal route and then grocery shopping.  Shopping in French is interesting and Tom had to examine every meat product in the cases.  The milk is sold in a plastic bag - 3 separate bags to make up 4 liters - on sale for $6.99.  On the way back, we found a neighborhood ice cream spot which we could not pass up. By the time we got back the sun was shining brightly and all the Canadian boaters were out on the water, in boats, on jet skies, fishing, enjoying docktails and celebrating summer.  It was nice.

Having  cleared Canadian Customs we hoist our Canadian
courtesy flag. We will fly this as long as we are in Canada

Waterfront camping Canadian style

John and I checking out St. Jean

The marina in St. Jean

Biking along the Chambly Canal on the way to grocery shop

Great little neighborhood ice cream parlor

Dealing with Canadian milk that comes in a bag. We store it in
our cooler and were afraid a bag might rupture so we saved our
American milk jug and poured it into there. Works good.

A cutey waiting for a bus?