Reading about various group members’ visits to Knowlton and Quebec City, and seeing their wonderful photos has transported me once again to the Townships and our holiday in Quebec sixteen months ago. Although I wrote quite extensively about our visit with particular reference to Three Pines while I was there, there are several little stories I haven’t yet shared, thinking they were perhaps too trivial.
Quebec City is enchanting, historic, fascinating, both quaint and majestic. Its aching beauty speaks in the language of all the senses; lines of buildings, colours of paint, the scent of flowers and the glorious food. I have already written about some of the restaurants we ate at there, and here is one more. Our first day in Quebec City we were hungry after walking through the old quarter for a few hours and decided on a late lunch at Le Billig Creperie Bistro. Seated, we watched in amusement for some minutes as our waitress engaged in flirting with the table of four handsome young men next to us. She gave us a cursory glance and raised her little finger "une moment, s'il vous plait", and then proceeded to take selfies with each man in turn. I wondered if they were perhaps French Canadian celebrities, although not ones I recognised. Our seafood crepes were utterly sublime, and well worth the wait! As we left the Bistro I was amused to hear a man point to a group standing outside as a "flock of nuns".
On our second day in Quebec City we drove to nearby Ìle d’Orléans, five kilometres from the old quarter of the city. This island was one of the first parts of the province to be colonized by the French, and holds an important place in Québécois heritage. A home to vineyards, strawberry fields and orchards, it is one of the loveliest places I have ever seen. The farm houses with their coloured roofs, the gardens buzzing with drowsy bees, the little shops selling local cheeses and honey, jams and maple syrup, all remain imprinted in my memory of that golden afternoon. There, too, we spent a half-hour in a chocolate shop which was a feast of delight for all the senses. I bought maple praline and dark chocolate covered ginger which was to die for!
On the way back to Quebec City we stopped at the lovely old stone church of Saint Pierre in the village of Saint-Famille. Built in 1716, it is considered the oldest parish church in Quebec. Inside, I traced a finger along the worn, cracked baptismal font and wondered just how many babies have been baptized there over years. Nestled next to the church, the cemetery was full of interesting old grave stones, many dating back centuries. I have loved walking in old cemeteries since childhood, and will never forget the peace of lingering there in the mellow sunshine of that September day.
More Photos From Jo-Anne Dulcie Maurits (click to enlarge)
Thanks for sharing these delicious tidbits from your travels; there’s no such thing as too trivial when it comes to living and loving life. It sounds like that is exactly what you’re doing and exactly what I’d love to hear more about, as opposed to the other stuff we must read about currently to keep ourselves informed. I love food, so I can just imagine how well you feasted! Looking forward to reading more “trivia”, though I do not think of it as such at all. Let’s call them “celebrations of life”! Perhaps we all have celebrations to share with one another here!
Thank you so much for these kind words. I absolutely love travel writing and sharing the places I see, even my local ones. I am glad you don’t see these little stories as trivial. I really think it’s often the little impromptu moments of living which create the greatest joy.
I agree; definitely not trivial and definitely worth celebrating every moment in life that we can enjoy. It’s cliche to say that life is short, but it really is. It is, quite honestly, lovely to see gratitude. Especially for small moments and for things many would say are forgettable. It’s in stark contrast to what we see happening in our world at the moment – people who already have much more than is needed or necessary, still seeking to gain more at the cost to those who have very little. So when I see gratitude and consideration for others, I see goodness. And I want to see more goodness in my world.
The food you describe sounds absolutely delicious! And I loved seeing the stone buildings, especially the church. It looks like a walk back in time…what a wonderful travel adventure.
I agree with the celebrations of life idea! Love the idea of sharing special moments. Thanks for sharing these lovely memories, Jo-Anne! Nancy has often shared the idea of sharing the light inside oneself to illuminate others around us and I do believe that sharing moments that bring you joy does allow those with whom you share with to feel the same joy to some extent. Seeing someone else’s heartwarming or kind moment definitely makes me smile and feel joy.
Absolutely agree that one should travel, especially to Quebec City, if one has the opportunity and then tell that story! Thanks!
Sounds lovely! Thanks for sharing Jo-Anne!