Day 20 Petit Champlain et Place Royale and Vieux Port, Quebec

Another good night’s sleep. Breakfast. Tim rode his bike to work and we drove down to the Lower town/ Port area. The area's correct name is Petit Champlain et Place Royale and Vieux Port. We parked near the ferry area. They have an app for the parking payment and you can extend your timer on the app as well! Shops do not open until 10.

Of we went through the most beautifully preserved areas of the area. Not only preserved, but enhanced with amazing murals on public buildings.

The atmosphere was additionally enhanced once again by the addition of amazing flower baskets and tubs. Again the area was spotlessly clean. Lots of photos to take, some interesting doors, lots of signs for historical information. (Only some in English.) We walked up and down to the various levels. We had morning tea at one café and watched the tourists coming through in large and small groups. As a tourist it is difficult to get used to the tax on top of the item price -15%.

At least in Australia what you see on the tag is what you pay.

Lachie had had a sleep in the pram after morning tea, so we were able to walk down to the Vieux Port market area. Normally he just runs and runs beside the pram and occasionally gets in for a rest, usually a very short rest, but this was a good long nap. WE were able to look at the vast range of products for sale. Ranging from the unusual-quail eggs to the usual fruit and vegetables. Seeing the packets of duck and goose fat bought back memories of France. Huge baskets of blueberries and strawberries, large bags of beetroot and cucumbers (pickling time), chocolate coated blueberries, cheese, sausages, pasta, fish, and of course maple syrup in small to large containers.

Mouth watering- but not GF or LF

When I ran out of cash I tried the ATM, only to discover my card wouldn’t work in a local one and in the next “international” ATM- empty of cash! Lucky I had Sarah beside me with her purse. We bought our items and then continued along the boardwalk past the boats in the harbour, which freezes over in the winter. The one area of the town which does need some consideration is the row of huge silos. Perfect place to paint next because at the moment they are not at all attractive. While walking past the boats Lachie woke up, popped on his sunglasses despite the chilly wind blowing over the water. We gave him one of the apples. I had a bite to start it off- YUK- reminded me of Croftons. Hard skin and soft inside.

Back to the car and we drove home for a very late lunch- 3pm- followed by a quiet afternoon of Lachie playing with his trucks and watching TV, while I downloaded photos. Tim rang to say that his bike had a flat tyre, so Sarah went to pick him up and I minded Lachie. I gave him a chocolate covered blueberry, he sucked off the chocolate, but obviously didn’t like it and kept the blueberry in his mouth for the next hour, until Sarah coaxed it out.

I made spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner, while Sarah was gone. After dinner Sarah and Tim took Lachie to the park to ride his bike, where he impressed all the locals with his skills. When they returned, Lachie had his bath and went to bed after Sarah read him some stories and I washed my hair. Tim went down to the gym. I typed my diary and Sarah finally sat down to watch TV.