Quebec City Last Day

What a place of history and beauty. After enjoying the ambience of our Art Deco themed  boutique hotel and a walk to look at the Plains of Abraham, we had a crepe for lunch to fuel our treks up and down the hills. On our way out of Quebec soon  with our memories of well kept farms, rolling hills, maple syrup forests, the smell of spruce at the mountaintop, Christmas tree farms and brilliant perennial gardens everywhere. The grand finale was a dinner at the bistro Chez Boulay. Interesting food  described as  Nordic  and focussing on the attributes of the boreal forest region. Blood sausage with leeks and cabbage, scalloped parsnips with goose and duck confit and cloudberry coulis. We did not have a chance to taste the birch syrup. Maybe next time. 

Quebec City

Arrived via a ferry from Levis. What a nice way to enter this beautiful, historic place. Spent the evening wandering the streets running across interesting sights at every turn. Attended a wine tasting event and the samples helped us brave the cold St.Lawrence  breezes and have the strength to climb the hills to get home. 

Summit Drive

After touring the Wine Route and the Township Route, it was time to take the Summit Route past Mont Gosford ( the highest mountain in Quebec) among others.  Before we left, we were good Samaritans and rescued some poor little toads that had fallen into the window wells. Always nice to lend a helping hand! The drive took us past many barns covered with cedar shingles and forests of maple trees festooned with the blue tubing that carries the sap for syrup in the spring. We also drove through Lac Megantic and were saddened by the devastation left by the train derailment in that beautiful town. A visit to  La Maison Granite which is a museum and tribute to quarrying at the top of Mont Saint Sebastien lifted our spirits. A fabulous place with unique landscaping, displays and sculptures that   do real justice to the location and the history of the quarry. Another covered bridge to admire along the way as well. 

Mont Megantic

Headed for the biggest hills of the townships after a substantial breakfast at the famous Delia's in Sherbrooke. It kept us going for the rest if the day as we made our way to Mont Megantic National Park seeing more covered bridges along the way. The views from the tops if the "monts" were beautiful. A tour of the Observatory in the park prepared us for our evening adventure in the first international dark sky reserve as we saw constellations and had a most amazing view of Saturn and its rings through a telescope. Looking forward to learning more about the natural wonders of the skies above us in the future. Really using our very rudimentary French as the presentations were all in French and little English is spoken in this area of the townships. 

More Eastern Townships

The drive took us on the wine country route. On the way, we saw the Saint Benoit du Lac Abbey where the monks live in a magnificent feat of modern architecture , sing in gregorian chants and make delicious cheeses and apple cider. We went very near border  crossings to Vermont in the US three different times and at one point could have walked over through a backyard! We resisted the adventure and went to look at an old graveyard instead. We enjoyed some wine tasting at the Orpailleur Winery. Finished off the day with a meal overlooking the lake at our inn. 

Ayers Cliff Quebec

The Eastern Townships are full of beautiful rural landscapes and rolling hills. Our rather luxurious little inn is a great base for exploring the countryside. The country fair that we attended yesterday was packed full of displays of prize winning produce and animals. Check out the zucchini idea! I discovered that cows are not really fond of parades as some of them kept getting out of line and trying to escape! Drove through well kept farmland to Compton, Coaticook and North Hatley. 

Fun with Friends

A wonderful week of lunches and dinners and scintillating conversation with friends and family. Catching up on news and sharing stories of life and love. And of course more additions to the jewellery stock. A few days of touring the Eastern Townships of Quebec coming up but it will be hard to leave the garden that continues to amaze and delight. Asters, hydrangea and butternut squash are the stars this week. The beets, tomatoes,  kale and potatoes were enjoyed by all. 

Harvest Time

The onions and tomatoes are sitting in the sun getting ready for delicious meals. We have had sautéed zucchini, stuffed zucchini, zucchini fingers and tomato zucchini bake. Yum!!  As the food cooks, I am going full tilt in the jewellery making business. Enjoying myself thoroughly with time to dance the night away at a wonderful family wedding in the country in Southwestern Ontario. August is great.