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Published: October 25th 2005
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Where are the canoes
The Olympic Basin in Montreal where they sometimes have war canoe races. August 14 Montreal
We have the car until this evening so decide to explore some of Montreal.
Drive through town to Isle ...... to the Olympic basin and the Gilles Viilleneuve
Grand Prix circuit.
For a modest fee of 10 dollars you can drive round the circuit.
Despite the speed limit of 30 kph it's still exciting.
We provide the sound effects of squealing round corners ourselves.
Stop at the basin and park the car. From there you can walk up the
starting straight and through the pit lane. Boys not as impressed as I am.
Back in the car and we do some more of the circuit. It's not very wide and some
of the barriers look as if they have seen better days.
Stop again and walk to the large framework sphere that was built for the expo.
Inside is a water museum but we simply look at the reception then back out into the park.
There are water spouts and lots of kids are geting soaked. We dont have spare clothes so the boys just watch.
We wander to a festival going on in the middle of the circuit but it's a lot to get in and
Ready Steady Go
Start line of the Montreal Grand Prix circuit. we can see and hear most of it from the fence.
Down a slope there is a little lake and a cafe and ice cream hut.
Hot fudge sundaes for the boys and I have a maple and walnut cone. It is very good.
Back to the car and it's my turn to drive the circuit.
Lots of fun, more sound effects and I even overtook another car (it was parked) but we
reckoned that I must have won.
Negotiated the road through town to take car back. No damage this time thankfully.
Roast dinner for tea...first roast we've had since leaving UK. Very enjoyable.
August 15 Montreal
Sort out flights and hotels etc for Western Canada.
Steve and I take the bus to St Annes to pick up some English books from the charity shop and donate those of ours that we no longer want to carry.
But it's Monday and the shops were not open. Left our books and found a boulangerie for coffee and cake. There is no cake (it's Monday).
This part of Canada is sometimes more French than France where shops no longer seem to close on MOndays like they used to.
Catch
Round the Bend
Up towards Casino at Montreal Grand Prix circuit. up on the washing.
Elaine and Andy take me and Steve to a local pub for beer. We share a couple of jugs and some snacks. Elaine picks up Christina from football and then comes back for us.
Steve is not quick enough getting in the car and Elaine drives off with him half out of the car.
I should point out that Elaine is normally a very safe driver.
August 16 Montreal
Today is spent sorting and packing for the next leg of the trip.
We have found that it is going to be easier to travel to Vancouver and then return to Calgary than try to drive south in a rental car. There is a huge premium for dropping a rental car off at a different location to the pick up point.
Our idea to catch a bus from Alberta south through Montana proves virtually impossible. All the routes to USA seem to go via Vancouver.
We dont really want to do this. The solution is to get a cheap flight from Calgary to the Los Angeles area.
Shopping with Elaine and Jen to find material for curtains but nothing available that both generations like.
Really Round the Bend
Hairpin bend that I took at 30 Kph.
Max speed except on race days. Lots of football matches tonight so we use the GOGO, gas operated garden oven, (gas bbq) to prepare an early tea.
Watch Jen's team play on a pitch like a crown green bowling green with baseball going on behind us. Gets exciting just as we leave.
Elaine drops us off and then takes Christinna to her match. It's a never ending round of chauffering for her at this time of the year.
Plans for an early night disappear as we sit and chat in the garden.
We are leaving in the morning. It has been great fun to catch up with Elaine and Andy and family again. And they have coped with us coming and going and hanging around with great aplomb and good humour.
The boys have had a super time too. Being able to hang out with other youngsters and watch copious amounts of TV and dvds has suited them down to the ground.
Our one regret is that here is no snow at this time of year.
So beware we may be back in winter.
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