Blue Belle

Blue Belle
2008 Back Cove 33, "Blue Belle" (Picture courtesy of Tom Noonan)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

August 4, 2011 - Gatineau, Que Province to Montebello, Que Provice

The eastbound trip on the Ottawa River reminds us of the Hudson River at its most beautiful points, although there is a greater presence of farmlands along the shores. The name Montebello is understandable as we are soon seeing mountains in the distance.

Today we have a short run and arrive at Chateau du Montebello around noon, and, as promised by our Ottawa flight lock mate (Tookie's master) it is a beautiful reort in the midst of a bucolic setting. The property boasts of having the largest log cabin in the world and I don't know who could dispute it. in the reception area of the lobby, a center stone fireplace soars three stories high. It is magnificent.

World's larget "log cabin"







We take the suggested "just a 20 minute walk" (it is always 40 or more) into town through a wooded path. On each side of the path, signs warn of the herbs du puce....poison ivy. So, let's walk single file. The captain has had a rash of unknown origins on his arms and legs for two weeks. Herbs du puce will not help.

We pick up some provisions in town, grab lunch and trek back in time to go for a swim. It is yet another scorcher of a day and the pool is mobbed. After dinner on board, we start plotting our trip to Montreal. This will be our greatest challenge as we will enter the St. Lawrence Seaway and the channels and waterways are complex and confusing, not to mention congested.

As it has been for the last week or so, the dominant language spoken is French. However, most people are bilingual and are very willing to help you, quickly going over to English when they see the expression of cluelessness on our faces. I have to say, thanks to Miss Ferraro who worked tirelessly to pound some language skills into our heads in college, some of it is actually coming back to me. If I could control the speed of the conversation, I'm sure I could actually dredge up the word I need. I practice on the Captain and he finds it most annoying. He is, in my new-found lingual world, "le nincompoop".....or is it "nincompoop-eh?"

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Click on any of the photos above to enlarge them.

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