Friday 1st July 2011

We left a hot & sunny Ottawa yesterday afternoon as the royals touched down. We had spent an hour or so relaxing by the canal and watching the preparations at the War Memorial for the visit - T.V. crews in their multitude, the barricades going up and some very well armed policemen around - I don't know WHAT they thought they were going to do! Canada trains are spacious and comfortable - booking in was a little like preparing for flight, checking in baggage, queuing to get on the platform, designated seats (yes you get to sit down if you travel by train over here!) and very good value. Our own operators take note.We quickly had an indication that we were in French Canadian territory; with French certainly taking precedence. About 2-3hours to Montreal; the central station making Birmingham New Street look well lit and roomy. We are staying in an Auberge in the Old Port of the city; very characterful - almost out Frenches the French if you know what I mean. It is converted from a 19th century warehouse and is amazing; a gloriously camp manager, a bellboy, a window seat on which you could while away some time watching the bustle in the cobbled street below, a walk in shower that nearly takes your skin off and a huge brass bed - I had to use a compass to get out.We joined the promenade of people taking an evening stroll and had a really good meal at a little French bistro - oh the joys of a Table d'hote (not too many choices....) Montreal is a more compact city than Toronto and has fewer eye catching buildings but is easy to explore on foot. This moring, we joined the crowds (today is Canada Day, a public holiday) and took the ferry over to the Islands in the centre of the St. Lawrence River to escape the heat. On Ile. Notre-Dame,is the Grand-prix circuit and we walked this, along with hordes of cyclists and in-line skaters. The 1976 Olympic rowing arena is also on the island; looking derelict, almost post-apocalyptic with weeds growing among the deserted 1970's concrete stands, rusting roof supports open to the sky and vacant TV screens. Tonight we eat at the hotel and will hopefully get a good view of the Canada Day fireworks from the rooftop terrasse.