Quebec City – X10loupe

What a ride! First time I do more than 500 Km in a day and boy I felt it! I really must buy myself a pair of hear plugs. As I got to the camp site I could not hear myself think. Things will be helped by the next set of tyres I get which will have less extreme threading, but in the meantime I need to do something, if I do not want to get to Winnipeg deaf. I crossed the bulk of New Brunswick rather eventlessly, only a stop in Fredericton (capital) to get a drink and the inevitable sticker flag for the pannier.

From there to the campsite, a further 170 Km west, it was just the case of dodging the showers using the stop start technique learned in cycle touring. I must say it’s easier with a motorbike ‘cos you get to outrun them too.

DSCN4152 — Lovely affordable campsite with built in pub. What more can one ask?

Screen Shot 2016-07-22 at 20.17.21 — The route to Quebec City

DSCN4153 — Stunning views on route for Quebec City. There truly is a lot of empty forest space in New Brunswick.

I was torn on what to do with accommodation in Quebec City, they did not have space in the HI Hostel and I thought about spending the first night in a campsite and then get to the HIH the second night. In the end I found another hostel the Auberge Maeva, even more affordable and, as it turns out, with a splendid crowd. Dumped the stuff there was only one thing to do, go explore.

DSCN4156 — For those who like to know bout the public art.

DSCN4158 — Most amazing selection of mackerel ever seen.

DSCN4159 — And the rest of the dispaly is a match.

DSCN4160 — Where do you think they produce maple sirup?

The market was amazing and I came away with an ice cream, appropriate as the temperature was really high. After that it was just the case of wondering around the centre and make sure I followed the crowd just enough not to miss any of the main attractions.

DSCN4165 — Also a stunning little square

DSCN4166 — With floating boats, floating in the air that is.

DSCN4167 — I resisted the temptation to ride a cannon.

DSCN4170 — And the quiet view over a crowded square.

DSCN4172 — The St. Lorenz river from the top of the citadel.

DSCN4173 — And something tells me these people come from where I come from.

DSCN4175 — Drinks avenue, pedestrianised on saturdays.

DSCN4178 — but in the back alleys it’s a bit chaotic.

A nice long walk and I managed to get both a Quebec sticker and a moose warning sign sticker, you’ll see in the pictures of the bike from now on.

On the way to the hostel I get a bit of food and, as I get back and I’m starting to think about frying my sausages, did you think for a moment I actually bought anything healthy? I get told that there is a barbecue going at the back and I’m welcome to throw my meat on and join. This si the start of another nice evening in which I spend hours chatting a bit in English and a bit in Spanish from a whole host of people from Switzerland, France, England and Quebec. It is sometime a privilege to be part of this global nomadic community of traveller, it does not matter what mean of transport you use, you’re always welcome.