Okay, the title is probably a cheap and alliterative shot by an American but when Todd explained some of the measures Quebecois take, like other Canadians to endure their long Winter, it makes you see some truth in it. We arrived in Quebec by traversing the mighty St Lawrence River and to imagine it frozen is difficult for an Aussie.
I am going to write more tonight because we declined the optional tour to the Sugar Shack tonight. It was a long day (pity the driver) and we checked in at 6pm after a day on the road. The excursion - according to Todd - would explain more to us about the production of Maple Syrup than we would ever want to know. He was quite pleased for people to opt out - I think only one coach out of three set off at 7pm.
The Hotel Universale, Quebec, looks like yesterday's Holiday Inn in Boston. I had to take the shot below though for obvious reasons. Not the cinema for a nervous first date, I suspect.
The day started at 6.30am with bags out for collection (I love that!) then a traffic free journey north to the State Capital of New Hampshire. It has a large legislature because members are not paid. According to Todd, the Tour Director, this leads to a preponderance of retired or wealthy "representatives" who don't do all that much. I remember the state motto still from 2007 - Live Free or Die, with some crossed rifles below. Otherwise, it seems such a civilised state. The Legislature is an impressive building.
Lillie and Rose had shown us the White Mountains on that visit so we knew we would enjoy the drive. The colour was sparse but like our fellow travelers, other issues often determine the timing of a visit. My classroom looks out over a plane tree so I get something of the idea each year anyway. The Franconia Notch featured some of the best views for early leaf peepers like ourselves.
After another "de-watering" stop, to use Todd's euphemism, we lunched at a scenic restaurant beside a lake whose name escapes me. They coped with two buses well using a ticket system - dark green was soup and half sandwich. Tess had a chicken salad that included raw cauliflower and broccoli. As young Jason said later, you take your roughage where you can in the States. He and partner Melissa are the only unwed couple and must feel strange - he says he is too old for Contiki but they are too young for this one. More later.
We stopped at an excellent duty free store and picked up some Grand Marnier miniatures. Then it was through Border Control and during the looong drive to Quebec, Todd played the game of "tell us about yourselves" to pass the time. Tess was mortified - she likes privacy. Fortunately for her, I was on the aisle, as indeed were most of the men, so I made the journey to the mike.
The English outnumbered us and were funnier, I have to admit. We had one couple celebrating 63 years of marriage and another two 50. You see what I mean about Jason and "partner"? They take it well. Jokes about being there for the sex don't ring true these days, more's the pity:(((
[Warning: boring tech tip ahead] One reason for the lack of pictures is the demand on free wifi. Successful uploads like yesterday's entry take finessing.
Coach Tours are a compromise. This is dirt cheap for what we see, cover, sleep and experience. The group is more than pleasant company and Todd and Charlie, excellent and amusing guides. Tess has not warmed to our Director yet and we did have an outstanding one in Germany but Todd is thoroughly professional and possesses a quite wicked sense of humour. He was cagey about revealing anything about himself when it was his turn on the mike but he sounds like a blend of the MC at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and Mr Kidd from "Diamonds are Forever" when he speaks so I suspect he is Gay but cannot tell, like in the US military. Given that his voice is the one we will hear most in the coming days, I'm glad it is easy on the ear.
Our final de-watering stop was in Quebec, the National Capital. Even the official road signs here push separatism! Rather than experience the Sugar Shack or retreat to MacPizzaFC we wandered through the local supermarket gathering French style for the night's meal. I wanted to drink the red we had bought back in NYC rather than carry it further in the luggage and risk having it break so fromage and pate were tonight's meal. The diesel outside the window suggests the excursion is over - at just 9.27pm.
We have an obligatory local tour of Quebec tomorrow morning (Todd's description) which I look forward to before retracing some of our steps to Montreal. We have paid for the night tour and dinner there which I look forward to.
Some pics to follow when Tess let's me on her computer (the iPad is hopeless at handling photos).
Location:Chemin Sainte Foy,,Canada
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