Montreal
Monday packed cases and both had hair cut. Taxi to Thornton
Heath and train to West Brompton and then 2 tubes to Heathrow 5. Stood most of
the way on Piccadilly line. Ate at Giraffe. British Airways flight left a
little late and we had got the 2 seats right at the back. The entertainment
took ages to come on and then no identification of what we were watching nor
was there any way to go to the start of a film. Watched Rev and Club 60 and
slept a bit. After 6 and a half hours arrived. 3 a.m. British time but in fact
we went back in time to 8 p.m. Montreal time. Taxi driver did not know where
Rue Dézéry was but I had maps. The fare was $50 and we went a long way round.
Melanie very friendly – it is up 2 flights of stairs – high ceilings and big rooms
and 2 balconies and 2 big cats. Slept a bit and had a small breakfast. Liked
the coffee maker!
Tuesday my 68th birthday and nice cards walked to
metro station (15 minutes) and got the hired car an automatic Ford Focus which
I don’t like much. Parked near Prefontaine station and to Old Montreal. The
basilica Notre Dame is very ornate and not at all tasteful. The Sacre Coeur
chapel has a fine bronze reredos and a fine organ. Saw the end of Beethoven 9
outdoor demo to save the Conservatoire! Hotel de Ville is a fine building and
lovely sunny walk to the Sailor’s chapel where we heard the organist practising
Bach. One the way had Panini in converted market building. We went to the
Museum of art but it costs $12 and we did not really have time so metro to the
lovely botanical gardens and we enjoyed walking round especially the
Insectarium which was fascinating and the silk lanterns in the Chinese garden
gradually got brighter as it got darker. The Japanese garden had some lovely
lighting effects. Earlier we explored the garden of the first nations with interesting displays of artefacts.
Picked up car and drove to Rue Ontario which is being dig up. Eventually had
pizza and chocolate at Atomic café! The Olympic stadium is impressive from 1976
although it cost a fortune!
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