Sunny Montreal

Saturday we took the metro to Jean Talon market and had lunch with Leanne. Awesome market and nice to see Leanne.




Victoria should have such a delicious place. We snacked on maple syrup strawberries, tire-pulled maple taffy, cheese samples, fresh pears slices, then we actually sat down and ate lunch, walked around more and then had coffee and ate more - macaroons and vanilla slice, so yummy and so French! We left that market and took the metro to the Atwater market. What fun! Sampled more cheese. We bought wine, flowers and cheese (the staples of life) and walked home to Ineke's. That night we went our friend Lynn's for dinner. It was outstanding! What a meal. Started with Cosmopolitans, olives, chips, then for dinner, Chicken Tagine, fresh mint with carrots, dill and corn (right off the cob) salad, mashed potatoes, oranges and fig salad, and for dessert, chocolate ganache sauce on a ground almond and chocolate delicate cupcake! And of course fresh strawberries to be dipped in the ganache. OMG! What a meal! Thank you Lynn.




More details to come. Today, Sunday we are walking off our last night's dinner :)

Montreal and winter?

Bonjour! We have arrived in Montreal. Easy trip from Victoria, Lucy got us to the airport early, on to Vancouver and a direct flight to Montreal. I had enough food with me to keep Norm totally satisfied - everything from ham and cheese sandwiches to cheezies and smarties (so Canadian). Got to Ineke's about 8.30 and visited till midnight.
This morning as we headed out to explore, you would not believe the weather.....SNOW! It is freezing here. So off we headed down St.Catherine's street to Simons looking for some toques, gloves, scarf???? All the stores are showing bikinis and sun wear. You'll see from the photo that I did manage to bundle up. We still had fun walking from Westmont to the Plateau where we had Fairmount Bagels. And the all the way back to Westmount. Good thing I was bundled up:)) Photos to come as soon as I figure out how. Norman here: you've read about the student demos in Montreal, and our first night had a hovering police helicopter near Ineke's apartment, but no nastiness. Students are into week 11 of their protest against tuition fee hikes, and there's no sign of either side changing course. If we see any action we'll take photos.

Home

Our last bike day was from Langley to the ferry (3 1/2 hrs).  We managed mostly back roads in Surrey but had to do #10 highway. I now have my highway badge! When 2 big trucks fly by, you almost feel like you might get sucked along as well. The rain didn't help then either. But we did it. Poor Norm had his seat break then too. Weird watching half of his back side at a 45' angle. So to save the stress of semi trailers and motor homes, Norm headed for Ladner. True we did get to the ferry just in time to catch the 1 pm ferry but getting there we passed through potato farms, trucks loaded with potatoes, a gravel road beside the train tracks and finally highway 17. Feels good to be home.

Biking in the rain

I would say I passed my Rain Badge today! We spent the night in Everson at a really cozy B&B. We had use of the whole house. Made our selves a nice dinner of wine, cheese, bread and fruit then curled up in front of the TV while it poured outside. Monday morning we left about 9.30 in the rain for Lynden. It rained the whole way and going north brought the wind at us from the east. Warmed up (as best we could) with coffee/tea in Lynden and then on (north) to the border, once back in Canada we went along Zero Ave and worked our way up and across to our friend Sue's. We got to Langley (204th) by 1 pm (30 km). We headed to McDonalds where I removed rain coat, rain pants, socks, and shoes. I even dried my cold toes under the hot air dryer in the washroom to bring back some colour to them. Both Norm and I were amazingly dry under our rain gear but we failed to protect our feet. Walking into McDonalds we sounded like mud puddles.  Then over to Starbucks for hot tea and pass some time till Sue got home from work at 3. Still raining we biked a few blocks to Sue's where we did laundry and dried out our clothes. It feels so good to be dry and warm. Delicious dinner and now we can relax before the final push to the ferries tomorrow. It is 42 km from Langley to Tsawwassen. Our total trip will be about  265 km.
It has been an adventure. Loved the experience and have learned what I need to do the next time........ Remember photo cord, keep feet dry, wrap panniers in plastic to keep clothes dry, .....But most important we will both do it again. We are thinking of where our next bike trip might be??? Quebec, France.........

Road trip by bike

We've been on the road trip by bike for five days and only remembered my Google password today! At least I remembered, so no early dementia yet. Pictures once we are home, I did forget the camera cord attachment:)
We left Metchosin on Wednesday and headed for Sidney. We had only gone 20 minutes when Norm had a flat tire! Fortunately it was right beside the Outpost Bike Shop on Sooke Road. Good thing we left early. Lunch at Mattick's Farm and into Sidney for coffee. Weather was perfect - sunny! We waited to board the San Juan Island ferry and it started to rain.   It poured on our bikes and packs but not for long as we soon left. We arrived in Friday Harbor as it was getting dark and it was still raining but off we went looking for our lodgings-- Juniper Lodge about three  kms out of town. Note to self- next time pack a light for the bike. Fortunately there were streetlights part of the way and very little traffic. Juniper (real person) wasn't there to give us a key but again fortunately a guest was heading out and let us in! We dropped our stuff and headed back into town (in the dark now but we knew the way) and had pizza (me) and curry clams for Norm at the Rumor Mill with live music- a little bit country and then a whole bunch rock and roll. Thursday we again biked into town for breakfast (not included in our room) and on ward to the south part of the island to check out the American Camp and the Pig War. Biked back to town (round trip 10 miles). Had the best burger I've had in ages at Herb's Bar - oldest bar in the town, 1943.  Norm says we earned the meals with all this biking! Then to top if off we went to the local theatre and saw The Help. And again biked home in the dark -- but we are getting better at it now.
Friday we biked to Roche Harbor for breakfast (at least 10 miles one way). Again the best shrimp, crab, spinach, mushroom, Parmesan cheese and egg scramble I've had. Then back to Friday Harbor to catch the ferry to Anacortes (after a beer of course). Biked to our motel in Anacortes (five kms) and checked out the town before the stores all closed. (managed to find some old postcards:) Had some appies at one of the local saloons. The town is full, and I mean full, of bikers. It is the Oyster Run in Anacortes this Sunday and thousands of motorcycles come to town to ? show off. No one knows why it is called the Oyster Run.
Saturday was the big day. A chance to see if I really would make it as a touring bicyclist. We left at 10 for Bellingham after checking out the farmer's market. First along a trail then a busy highway (#20), over the river by an overpass, along side roads till we reached the Chuckanut Drive. Before starting our drive we had lunch (now noon) at the wonderful Rhododendron Cafe. Excellent salmon burger and chocolate brownie with ice cream - need those calories.   The Chuckanut Drive is winding, hilly and narrow. It runs along the coast and fortunately the drivers have to slow down due to the turns. The traffic was very considerate of us. I never felt in danger, nervous yes. By 3 pm we were in Fairhaven,  near Bellingham. We stopped for tea and to rest our bums. One more push got us to our B&B about three miles into Bellingham. We cleaned up and walked to town (two miles) for dinner. Found an excellent pasta place - The Table. Right next door to the Mount Baker Theatre that was showing an environmental movie festival. So we ate dinner, watched six short films and I won a door prize -- a toque although they call it a beanie here.
Now as we travel we plug in the laptop (I'm carrying it on my bike -- note to self: need lighter technology next time) and check the weather forecast. It says there is a severe wind warning coming in to the north west/Vancouver/Vancouver Island.  Yikes. Last night the wind roared through our B&B. Norm reminded me that the wind would probably push us east, so no problem. We decide to leave Bellingham after 12 so had time to do things this morning. We headed back to Fairhaven by bike and by going around the Marathon that was happening right outside our B&B. The wind was wild going there and help pushed us back home.
So here we are in Everson, Washington about 15 miles from Bellingham. Tomorrow we head to the border and Langley then Metchosin on Tuesday. The ride here was as Norm said, the wind really did push along at times. Only had a bit of rain when we tried to check out the town of Everson and Nooksack (we turned around before we got soaked)
This holiday has been better than I thought it would be. I really like bike touring. Yes my bum is a little sore but I can almost keep up to Norman and have never felt healthier! We have so far done about 190 km. And still have two more days to go. What a ride!

Time to head home

Wow! It has been almost a month of travel and it has been great. We have spent the last 3 nights in London with Tony and Ingrid Hodge near the Chalk Farm tube stop. Monday we walked through Hamstead Head - lovely green spaces and perfect weather. We even had a fascinating talk with some local south end Londoners who asked why anyone would want to visit Britain! Interesting slice of a different look at life, immigration, the economy and more:) Later Norm and I checked out the Camden Market. Amazing how much stuff they can fit into one area. Things you will never need! but fun to look at. This was the first time on our holiday that I needed my raincoat. We did get wet but not for long. On Tuesday we walked Tony to work and then continued on to downtown London, looking and buying books (what else). Had lunch at Food for Thought - an excellent vegetarian restaurant Holland recommened last time we were here and it was super! We then we to the Imperial War Museum. Interesting but emotional. Met Tony and Ingrid for a beer at the Salisbury pub and dinner- Japanese meal- delicious! And now we pack for home. First to Paris, then to Toronto and into Vancouver by 5 pm the same day! See you soon.