Sara- We left Quebec City at 3 A.M. I motivated myself to get up with the promise of a spoonfull or three of nutella. The morning was drizzly and dark and I couldn't remember where I'd left my glasses or my raincoat, but otherwise felt surprisingly ok. All Steph and I had to do was untie the boat and push off and hop on before crawling back to bed. Dad stayed up and navigated into the dawn.
Earlier that night we saw something extraordinary: fire breathers and acrobats, actors and trumpeters! I had gone on a jog around the marina (and snuck onto a realllyy cool old abandoned cruise ship, by the way) when I heard pounding music, an irresistible beat... I ran towards it until I joined a crowd, jogged further and found a stadium! The show had already begun. Lights flashed, women and men leaped and twirled... I texted Steph to come with Autumn and Dad, then pocketed my phone, leaned in and whooped and clapped my delight at the fabulosity before me.
Rewind to the previous night: I got off the bus from Boston and met up with the fam at the marina, Bassin Louise. "You found us!!" Steph exclaimed, racing in for a hug. Smiles and hugs all around: Mom, Dad, Autum... I lit candles and Dad turned on his red lamp and we huddled in the cockpit and caught one another up on our lives. "I wanna go back into the city," Steph eventually said. I agreed and soon (ish) we were off!, scrambling up cobblestone streets as fireworks boomed above us. "It's like we're in the past... in a war," Steph mused. Then up the funiculaire-- The fireworks lit the water pink! And then our destination: The green, sloping-roofed Fairmont hotel, Steph's dream home. And inside: the wine and cheese bar. I'll just say that it's beautiful and that you should go. I got a beer and Steph got a New York Sour. All she had to say about it after was: "It had egg white in it... but we got free popcorn!"
Quebec- 13 August 2016
Marc- A full day to visit Quebec. Today we went to the wonderful farmers' market next to the marina and filled up on fresh veggies. Sue and the girls did all of the shopping. There is also a supermarket, METRO, nearby that we found. Uncle Fernand and Aunt Rosette came over to visit with us. It was great to see them again. We walked around town and found a nice Creperie for dinner with Richard.
Quebec- 14 August 2016
Marc- Another day in this very nice marina in a classy city. We spent much of the day touring art galleries and the main museum. I wanted to show the kids my family furniture form the Dube sculpture specialists. Unfortunately the items are in storage and not currently on exhibit. Mom flew back to Boston after lunch via Montreal. Air Canada took care of her return. In the evening we went to see a free concert/performance/etc.... Sara wrote about above. Lots of fun to watch and listen.
Quebec- 15 August 2016
Departure at 03:00 to take advantage of the tidal currents to Cap a L'Aigle. Rain and darkness to start out and a cool breeze on the nose. What more could we ask for? Fortunately the Wendy Room (alias the cockpit enclosure) kept me warm and dry. We took the passage North of L'Ile D'Orleans which saved us 1 hour. Daylight arrived at 05:00 as a grayness. The gray included periods of fog until we passed L'Ile au Coude at 10:00. Finally sunshine; and the best was the welcome sightings of Beluga whales ! We did see several groups.
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