22 Dec 10 Montreal - Parc du Mont Royale

Temp: -1 Degrees C, overcast, light snow

After attacking the buffet for breakfast it was time to venture outside. The day is a sweltering -1 degrees C. the warmest we have had so far in Canada. It is only 1 km up the road to the Parc du Mont Royale. Not a tough ask, however it soon develops into a steep incline for the second half with the final 20 metres or so a 30 metre or more c
limb up steps. from there the path snakes its way around the near side of the mountain with occasional steps providing another alternative between tracks bending back on themselves. Due to the snow many of these were closed. As we ascended the snow fall became heavier, with the views of the city of Montreal, although remaining striking, becoming obscured with the low cload and falling snow. The final ascent is by steep stairs or a 2.5 km incline around the mountain. By the time we reached the top the snow was really falling, and there was no longer any need for jackets or thermals except to keep the snow off. at the chalet at the top we enjoyed a hot chocolate in the ballroom. An ornate wooden structure, marble flooring and stone squirrels guarding the roof trusses. The lookout oversees the city from here and we continued around down the long snaking path. Squirrels and birds congregated around feeders near the track down. At one point a group of children were sliding  down an icy decline amongst stone monoliths in the park. Further on skaters braved the snowfall on the frozen lake and Snow makers adding snow to a downhill track. We continued back downhill dodging skiers, joggers and walkers.

After a break at the hotel we ventured into the Underground City for lunch. This place is huge and boasts a Christmas tree five storeys high. Interestingly you don't often get a Merry Christmas farewell. You are more likely to receive a 'Happy holidays'. Also all signs are in French and rarely if ever dual language. Locals have said there is a movement to make Quebec more French, but a number have also said the language is still vastly different from France. One of the waiters visited Paris recently and struggled with the apparent English influence to the French language. Canadian French seems to have remained more traditional. An unusual observation is that some people switch between the two languages mid discussion. Others switch language keeping that languages accent, while more still who struggle with one or the other maintain their first langauge accent. We made some purchases and returned to the hotel. We decided dinner would be taken nearby restaurant and crossed the road to the first choice without jackets and gloves. We were unable to get a seat here except in the part where those eating had to be over 18. Front bar pub. So we ventured to the Italian restaurant across the road from the Novotel. A fantastic meal and the staff really out did themselves with service. Even offering any meal wished for not on the menu.
After dinner I grabbed the jacket and strolled the streets of Montreal for some action. Kylie wasn't really interested in the numerous peep shows on offer so we contented ourselves with enjoying the city lights and photographing the evening sights of a montreal night. That last bit was almost poetic!