On The Move....

So having just packed for the third time, I am starting to stress about the amount of stuff I have managed to bring with me. Methinks I might have to start being a bit more ruthless. Or maybe just buy a bigger bag....

So now I'm waiting to get on my first bus and really begin this adventure. The past week has been really nice. After the disastrous weather last weekend, things cleared up. It's not been hot, but the sun has certainly been shining and it's been warm enough to sit and enjoy the sun. Lydia's leg has improved a little, but she's still hobbling along on crutches, and so I've spent much of the week going for long walks, and exploring the city on my own. I've also done a fair amount of chiling with Lyds and looking after her - she say's I'm quite the chef! Feel a little bit like her carer, and she says she's not sure how she's going to cope when I'm gone..!!

Wednesday I headed up north to Quebec City, it's one of the oldest cities in North America, and is really very lovely. I spent lots of time wandering, and taking everything in my stride, although a P&O cruise ship had docked in the harbour for the day, so the place was crawling with Brits.... With my exciting new camera, I now also have a new-found interest in photography (am am slowly getting better....) so took lots of picture too - Sarah Day would be proud!! (If at all interested, check Facebook - will put some up there when I have a moment.)

Thursday some of Lyd's friends where doing their weekly Improv Comedy night, which was great. We ended up drinking the night away in a crazy little bar - whilst I was regaled with stories of Lydia's college life...I think this girl had a wild side that perhaps was tamed a little by the time she got to Bristol...(although I'm sure we all saw flashes of it - anyone remember the Third Year Grad Party?! - Lydia doesn't....)

Last night we went for dinner with Mark, Lydia's elder brother and his girlfriend Penny. Was a really lovely Canadian-style curry, and then Lydia and I went off on a bit of a late night city tour. First stop the casino - I didn't gamble away all my savings...Lydia and I are too dumb to understand the rules of hardcore card playing... followed by the top of Mount Royal. A great night-time lookout point over the city (although there were lots of rowdy youths!!) - a perfect way to spend the last night of my two week stay in Canada.

This afternoon Lydia, and her friend Melissa took me for lunch in the suburb where they grew up, a really gorgeous little place and the sun was shining. The afternoon was topped off by devouring the most amazing three pieces of cake that I have tasted in a very long time!

So tonight I'm off to Boston, and leaving the luxury of Lydia's apartment I think I finally become a proper traveller!? It has been so nice to spend time catching up with Lydia, I just hope it wont another year wont go by before I see her again. I am super-duper excited about what's next, about the USA, New York...and Broadway! Rachel arrives at about noon on Monday, and we're already debating over which musical should be first on the list...I'm trying to resist The Little Mermaid, but I think she might get her way....

Rich
xxx

p.s Some Interesting Things You May/May Not Know (or even want to know) About Canada..

• Canadians say eh? a lot.
• Cars in Quebec do not have a number plate on the front.
• Montreal is the largest Francophone city in the world, after Paris.
• English is not considered a national language in Quebec.
• Montreal is an island.
• The Quebec national dish is called Poutin; chips, gravy and curd cheese. I have refused to try it....
  
• There is a whole underground pedestrian network here, in the Winter when the snows come it's possible to walk from one building to another without going out into the freezing cold.
• With the soil that was dug out for the underground network they built an another island.
• There have been two Canadian elections in the last three years, and in October there will be another.
• Tim Hortons is a national institution. It's a road side take-away coffee shop.
  
• Celion Dion is from here, and they play her music everywhere.......