Day 29 Montmorency Falls and Quebec getting ready for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec on Friday.

Lachie had another section at 1 am of restlessness, which required a lot of storytelling, but eventually he fell asleep. By the morning my throat felt like it was lined with razor blades, so lots of throat medicine required and at lunchtime I took a Phenergan tablet to try to dry up the phlegm.

Tim rode his bike to work and we drove Lachie to day-care. He was in the car for less than 5 minutes when he accidentally made himself vomit. Naturally we were in traffic and had to wait until we could pull over and clean him up. In the meantime he is calling out “Help” on a continual loop. Sarah cleaned him up and I did some of the freshly washed car. Because we had used his spare clothes, we had to return home and pick up a fresh set, throwing the others in the washing machine. While we waited downstairs I kept him entertained by taking photos of his donkey-trying to get Donkey to smile. We set off once again and this time no mishaps.

After dropping off Lachie, we drove to Montmorency Falls, 12 kms from Quebec city. The falls are 84 metres high (30 metres higher than Niagara Falls) and 46 metres wide. At the base the water is 17 m deep. Discovered by Champlain in 1613. It is also has the remains of a fort constructed in 1759. You can reach the summit by a cable car (funitel) or a steep staircase. At the top there is a suspension bridge and a 300 m double zip line. I did walk over the bridge but not the zip line. Great views especially on our way up and the ones taken before the wind came up and rippled the still reflections. In winter the falls are equally spectacular, the falls forming a cone of ice called “the Sugar Loaf”. Lots of photos up down and in between. Luckily we had arrived early and avoided the crowds of tourists and the clouds that were building.

The mansion/ restaurant at the top is a restoration to replace the original destroyed by fire in 1992. The original home was Governor Haldimand’s summer residence, which was built in 1780-81.

Unfortunately the restaurant was not open until 11:30, so we left to come back via the Patisserie to pick up some morning tea supplies and some fresh bread. Sandwiches and pastries at home, then we walked down to the Hotel Frontenac via some quiet side roads.

The Grand Allee was in the process of being transformed for the big bike road race on Friday. All the bollards had been removed from the middle of the road, which allows for more area of outdoor dining in summer. Crews of people were frantically putting up the start/ finish area, the dais, spectator seating, fencing etc.

We went into the hotel and got tickets for the Picasso/ Dali exhibition, which was actually limited prints of famous works for sale. A small exhibition, but interesting. While in the foyer of the hotel, it too had been transformed for the bike race. Signs everywhere regarding the press meeting. Several bike race members chatting to each other and one man holding onto his bike (in the foyer?) Glad I had taken photos previously.

We came home via a shop selling coats and other expensive winter clothing. I bought a long fine wool beanie. By now it was quite hot and we tried to return in the shade as much as possible. Cup of tea time. Then time to pick up Lachie. While Sarah was gone, I began to process today’s film and diary.

At dinner Lachie ate baked beans, then drank them. But he really enjoyed the pastries we had for dessert. Apricot pastries were his favourite. When I gave him a T-shirt, it was difficult to get it off him for his bath.

Finished typing and processing photos. Might be an early night? (8:45)