On Monday we stayed inside all day and listened to the rain beating down on the roof and watching thew St Lawrence River slowly rising. This spring has been the worse for 30 years and many parts of Eastern Canada are flooded.
It rained so much that we were surrounded by puddles of water. it eased a bit next day so we drove drove down to Rockport about 50km away and boarded a cruise around the thousand islands. The Thousand Islands are situated on the St Lawrence Seaway just before it enters Lake Ontario. The river is very wide here and on the myriad of islands people have built grand holiday cottages and even castles.
We cruised across the border between Canada and the US and arrived at an island with a castle on it built about 100 years ago.
The chef of the owner of this castle is credited with the 'invention' of Thousand Island Dressing. The castle was only lived in for 10 years.
Next day we drove up the River to Montreal. The rain still accompanied us. It rained hard all the next day so we stayed indoors and watched more puddles form around us. It was still wet the next day when we decided to go into Montreal.
We were disappointed with Montreal. Lots of building going on and not a lot of atmosphere. The old town was interesting but small and touristy. Maybe the rain didn't help but I doubt we will go back again.
Then accompanied by the usual rain we drove 300km up to Quebec City. We took the last site at the campground as there was a weekend rally happening there. We met up with some fellow kiwis who were doing the same sort of thing that we were and by coincidence also had a boat in Gulf Harbour.
It has rained constantly for the last 24 hours but tomorrow promises some sunshine so hopefuly we will get into the city tomorrow. Then it up the Gulf of St Lawrence before turning South as we head for sunshine in Florida, but alas that is some months away. Lobsters are a calling first!
We are only at 46 degrees North, about the same as Lake Te Anau is south, but a completely different climate with bitterly cold winters and hot summers. We are almost as far North as we are going this year. So far we have driven 1793 miles (2868 km) since picking up the fifth wheel in Indiana.
Location:Quebec City, Canada
