Wed-Sat July 12-15 Montreal Yacht Club

Wed-Sat  July 12-15 Montreal Yacht Club    

Following the information we got from Guy and Lise we hugged the green buoys as we went under Jean Cartier Bridge. The current was extremely strong and our speed which had been 6.3 mph dropped to 2.6 mph as we passed under the bridge. We proceeded up river until even with the marina on the opposite side of the river. We then crabbed our way across the current until we got into a calm spot downriver from the marina and made our entrance into the break wall. Thanks Guy and Lise for great local knowledge.

 Upon arrival, we followed our previous itinerary and walked around the Old Port area of Montreal  to get a feel for the place.  As in Quebec, the cobblestone streets are lined with shops, brasseries and eateries.  Venturing further away from the water, we wandered into Chinatown for a late lunch.  Authentic Chinese food was served as evident by the locals eating here.  We are in a French city, eating Chinese with an Italian family sitting next to us. Back in the Old Port region, we enjoyed a Happy hour beer.  The area is alive with people shopping, eating, exploring and enjoying

Although the rain greeted us in the am, we waited for the drips to stop, unloaded the bikes and headed out.  Today we are biking along the Lachine Canal. This canal is for small boats only (even smaller then ours, you must be able to get under bridges with 11 feet of clearance, we are 16 ft. with our radar mast down) and goes thru many neighborhoods of Montreal.  The bike path is well paved, well used and a pleasure to ride.  We  criss cross the canal over small bridges and lock walls, enjoying the scenery.  Along the way, we stopped at the Attwater Market for a wonderful pulled pork sandwich.  The market had a great variety of plants, attractively displayed produce and of course bread and pastries.  Once back at the boat, we enjoyed some down time, before heading to Chez Erik to celebrate Pam's birthday.  A nice dinner was served and then the piano bar pianist took over and sang Pam Happy Birthday, Piano Man and old favorites while we enjoyed singing and dancing along.  

Today we say our good byes to Bob and Bonnie as they head back to Az.  We, on the other hand, continue our adventure with a Big Bus tour of Montreal.  Montreal is a large city, with its business districts, variety of neighborhoods, exclusive areas, underground city, very popular in the winter months, and many many chapels and cathedrals. We spend the next two days enjoying the area.   St. Catherine Road was the main street in town.  It was home to many activities this weekend.  There was sidewalk sales for about 8 blocks, a comedy festival, the village community of alternative lifestyles and the all important IGA grocery store.  The waterfront area had a wide range of activities to draw visitors and residents: amusement park, zip line, waterfront conference, cirques de soleil, clock-tower park, and of course the marina.  The city of Montreal is also holding a fireworks competition so Portugal displayed its firework show on Saturday night.  The marina came alive with people enjoying the day, their boats, their wine, and their guests.  Finally, the fireworks were FABULOUS.  The best show we have ever seen.  The color combinations both on the barge and in the air were beautiful.  The show seemed to go on and on and we enjoyed every minute of it, as hear by the horns of all the boats afterwards.  Our stay in this Canadian city was also enjoyable.  Having never been in these Canadian cities before, we know have more appreciation for our neighbors to the north.

Really... this Canadian summer..... July 12th

Section of Old Montreal not nearly as large section
as in Quebec

Current in the St. Lawrence as we entered the Montreal Yacht Club

 

 

Attwater market, what incredible selection and presentation

Biking on the Lachine Canal

Greek's Folly at the Yacht club De Montreal

View from the bell tower cross from the marina

View of the marina from the bell tower and
views of downtown Montreal

Again the bell tower of the 1976 Olympic sight that we passed
on the way into Montreal

The Portugal fireworks entry in the competition
 We have many more pictures of Montreal but the slow internet prevents me from
putting on the blog at this time. I will let you know when I can post more photos.