Friday, August 27, 2010

Cornwall to Quebec City..August Aug 26-27

Another lazy morning before getting everything secured for travel. We left Cornwall around 10:00 a.m., or so and decided to stick to the 401 freeway since we knew, once we hit Quebec, we would have trouble with reading some road signs.

A nice drive through the rolling hills and lush green landscape. No signs of drought here, everything still looks fresh. We were navigating through Montreal (now there is a nerve racking drive) and missed a turn! Oh oh...now what; traffic moving very fast and we're heading off some other highway. We found a turn around to reverse direction but we needed to get back on the "other" freeway heading east.So went off on a side road hoping to be able to cross over the freeway and find another entrance.

We didn't really know where we were, so I jumped out of the bus to read street signs when a fire engine came down the street. So, I waved him down to ask for directions (of course he had limited English and our French is worse). After much sign language, he decided it would be easier if we followed him..bless his little French Canadian Heart!! He got us on our way in no time, thank you thank you. We would have wandered around for some time and would probably still be there.

During this drive Dale had,on one occasion, to hit the brakes, HARD, and while most things stayed put, the tea pot went flying and it was full of tea!! It broke on the counter and tea everywhere. Couldn't do anything while travelling so just left it. I did have a towel in the bottom of the sink so a lot of the tea found its way there. At least I knew what I would be doing after we got parked.

The rest of the drive went fine. We turned off at Trois Riviere to follow signs to a tourist information centre. The signs went all the way down town and then stopped and we looked and looked but never did find the place. Another very old town with very narrow streets so fun for Dale to navigate around and get us back to the freeway.

Our next stop was another small town about a further 20 km down the road to once again get to a tourist information centre. We did find this one but had to park on a main street, engine running, and run into the place to get maps etc., then a little drive around to find our way back to the freeway and we carried on.

Arriving in Quebec City, we were heading to a Prevost facility to park. Our GPS system got us 98% of the way and then said we were at our destination, while we were looking at a Costco!! So, unhooked the car and drove around and eventually found the place. Turns out this facility is the parts distribution for North American. We were given the royal tour and information to no end, plus a disc with containing a complete parts manual...Bonus, eh!! Then, with new directions, we found our way to the actual Prevost repair facility and got ourselves parked and hooked up to power.

By now it was getting dusky to decided to stay put for the night, have a light supper and get a good nights sleep.

Today, (Friday), managed to get a few things done around the bus and Dale got a couple of minor repairs done. When this was all said and done it was getting on to 4:00 so we jumped in the car and took off for the city centre. Nothing like doing this on a Friday afternoon in rush hour. The drive along the waterway was breathtaking and we found our way with no problems. After driving around a little bit to "check things out", we parked the car and toured around on foot for a short time. We were not at the citadel, but just a little further down the road.

Stopped at a small little restaurant for a bite of supper and then continued with our walk, just looking at the very old buildings and marvelling at the history that is here "if the walls could talk". By now it was getting dark so decided we had better find our way back to Prevost while we had daylight. Actually, we surprised ourselves and didn't make one wrong turn. Arrived here safe and sound and now tucked in for the night.

Still have not been able to figure out why this progam is not letting me download photos...very odd. I may just do a Picasa Web Album and if so, will let you know.

Till next time....

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