9/26 Fun And Very Wet Day
After another bountiful breakfast we were off again. The decor here just blows me away. As I mention the toasters from days gone by, as well as many little touches.
This is your place if you like toast
First stop was the gas station for a bus pass. We caught the 801 bus and headed to the Port of Quebec, well as near as we could get, as we had to walk to the Port area.
Prior to starting this trip we had learned of the Port Of Quebec Historical Pedestrian Rally. This is a self guided walking tour where you had to find various aid bits about the port area. Answer the question and turn in your answer sheet at the end to be entered into a drawing.
The Port Authority Building
Here is where the port is controlled from. It all happens here.
We journeyed through this important site marking the history of Québec and Canada. For many Quebeckers and visitors, the city of Québec and its port are part of our heritage. Many of us have ancestors who at one time or another trod upon the grounds of the Port of Québec upon arriving from Europe or elsewhere. This is where, by dint of hard work and courage, people seeking a better life settled or moved out toward the Canadian West.
Since the 1665 arrival of Jean Talon in New France and the establishment of commercial trade between France, Acadia and the French West Indies, the city of Québec had expanded from a trading post into a fast growing colony. The French Crown’s forbidding of the burgeoning trade so as to avoid competition with French shipyards, Quebec City became the cradle of Canada’s shipyards.
After the British defeated the French on the Plains of Abraham and ending their reign in Canada, many English shipyards sprung up to meet the demand.
Today, the Québec Port Authority (QPA) manages all port activities in the city of Québec, from the Island of Orléans Bridge to the Québec Bridge, and the activities inside its headquarters at 150, Dalhousie St. Built in 1913, it is one of the few buildings in the city with a clock tower. We struck up a conversation with the receptionist and the next thing we know we are visiting the port control center.
We walked along the shore stopping to gather the answers along the way.
All this was done as a steady rain fell. We did take a break for some coffee to sit and get out of the rain. When we finished answering all the question we turned out answer sheet in and will now wait. Till October 29 to see if were lucky enough to win a prize. I think if we win were will just donate it to a good cause.
We walked about the city running into folks we know and did some catching up. This was a good thing. Next we stopped for a a short visit to the Notre Dame Basilica. This is a beautiful church and there was a mass in progress.
Look a pub
We then found the St. Patrick’s pub and went in for lunch. Fish and chips were recommended, and they were good. I tried a great local dark beer. We were soon joined by friends, and did some more catching up.
Back to the cruise dock to meet others and make plans for our arrival at the port.
The skies were looking rather threatening and we decided not to stay for the greeting arranged by the Port of Quebec. Later we learned it was a very nice welcome event. We were just too darn wet to enjoy.
Wet bus stop
As we walked back to catch our bus the skies really opened up, and soon we were soaked, even with our rain gear. We boarded a packed buss filled with wet commuters. When we got back to the area of our lodging we found a local restaurant and had dinner. Arriving back at the B&B we got out of our wet clothes and started to arrange our bags for our departure.
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