17 Dec 10 Quebec City

Temp: -15 degrees Celsius clear skies.

Bonjour mes ami

Quebec city at last. The hotel is positioned just outside Old Quebec. Perhaps a 500 metre walk. We arose late and just made the breakfast time of 1100 hrs. Fumbled our way through some more French, but something must have clicked because we received the breakfast we ordered. Afterwards we ventured outside rugged up to face the icy onslaught. It really isn't that cold, and once you get moving the heat generated keeps you going. Ok I lied a little. It is a bit icy on the exposed skin, such as on the face, the nose becoming particularly runny. Decided on a quick stroll to get a bit of an idea of the area. Once we worked out how the walk signals operated we were on our way. We walked past the Hotel du Parliament (Canadian Parliament) building that sits just outside the walled city of Old Quebec and continued into the Parc des champs-de-bataille. The first floor of this building displays British influence in the architecture, the third floor distinctly French. The middle floor a combination of British and French and thus uniquely Canadian. The Parc des champs-de-bataille is reputed to be the second largest city park in the world, second only to New York's central park. It is the site of an English and French battle that lasted 20 minutes, where both generals died. A number of locals frequent the park, including joggers and those carrying cross country skis. We continued on through the park beside the walls of la Citadelle - an old fort that still houses the Canadian 22^nd regiment. A cannon went off startling a number of the park visitors. Here was the first real view of the river that flows past Quebec city continuing eventually to cascade down Niagra falls. Not fully frozen over, the ice forms islands and blocks of crushed sheet. Amongst the trees here squirrels frolic. Running down one tree, they bound across the snow stopping occasionally to dig in search for peanuts (I suspect planted there), then scoot to the next tree. Every now and again two squirrels chase each other spiralling up the trunk of a tree moving to the higher branches.

We returned back to the hotel. The girls were getting cold as their clothing really isn't suited for this climate. Kylie also needed to finish off replacing lost luggage items. Unfortunately this was/is to be a huge expense we didn't really need. Conflicting information from the insurance company on our claim isnt helping much. No word from V Australia yet either. Five people lost items that flight.

A taxi took us to the Place Laurier – a shopping centre very much like we find in Australia. Three floors of shopperholic delight. It was immediately apparent some grasp of French is actually required. Most of the store owners do speak English, or at least understand some of it. Surprisingly few are actually fluent in English. I managed to pick up a new 50mm lens for the camera, and replaced a lens hood I lostsomewhere in Beverly Hills. Ben Stiller may be the new owner. I picked up some decent snow boots for $110 CAD and some snow pants for a similar price. Kylie and the girls were finally fully fitted out with some clothing.

After a few hours shopping it was time to return to the hotel for some dinner. It gets dark around 1600 hrs and the traffic had really picked up. After about 20 minutes standing in the cold it was obvious a taxi wasn't going to turn up to the taxi rank area. It wasn't well sign posted and we wondered if the driver who dropped us there gave us a bum steer (or is that a bum caribou up here?). We went back into the mall and found a taxi phone. 25-30 minutes wait at least. Finally a taxi turned up to return us to the Delta. Dinner at the hotel was fantastic. I started with Escargot in a mushroom sauce, followed by pork medallions.

The girls tried the snails, but I doubt they will order them themselves at any time soon. Would love an early night but it seems 11pm is the closing hour. An Ontario white wine wasn't too bad. More a chardonnay style. Interestingly on the wine lists they don't mention the grape varieties all that often. Most of the Australian wines listed are South Australian and at a price you have to baulk at. $50 CAD for a 2008 Koonunga Hill Shiraz/Cabernet? 

The hotel room at the Delta is nice. Two double beds are a bit cramped, but there is plenty of space in the room. Captain Hook's tap handle is here as well, but at least this one indicates where the hot water starts.

Bonsoir