Today is Canada Day. My diary at home let's me know when major festivals and holidays occur, and Canada Day is one of these days. When I have asked Vera, my North American guide, about Canada Day she has always said that she has never heard of it and doesn't know what happens on Canada Day. So I'm expecting a very low key event. A little research on the internet yesterday revealed that this holiday has only existed since 1982, before which it was called Dominion Day. I now learn that Dominion Day used to be a big event with parades, floats, marching bands, etc - Vera tells me that as a child she would take part in this, dressed as a clown, turning somersaults and cartwheels down the parade route.
So we head into the old city, where the police have closed roads and are redirecting traffic.
First stop is a group of artisan stalls that has been closed and shuttered up until now, but are now all open. We go into a couple of the huts, and as they say, a crowd attracts a crowd. I think that people have a fear of going into an empty shop in case they are on the receiving end of the shop-keeper's undivided attention. But there's safety in numbers, and people are happy to comment and offer advice when Vera tries on some chic garments.
We head for the Governor's Promenade, in front of the Chateau Frontenac, where a crowd has gathered to watch some ceremonial goings on. There's music from the military band and what sound like rather dull speeches from various dignatories. But we are trapped by the crowd and cannot leave until it is over.
We thought that the Promenade would lead to steps leading up to the citadel. But instead it takes us along a boardwalk below the citadel walls, with great views over the St Lawrence, to the Plains of Abraham - site of the famous French/British battle in 1759. They are named after Abraham Martin, who farmed the land back then and who must be very pleased to achieve lasting historical fame without having to have done very much. The site is now a park and the site of today's Canada Day family entertainment. We are advised to head out of the park to the nearby downtown area for food. This turns out to be great advice. The streets have been closed to traffic and the restaurants have expanded onto the sidewalks/pavements.
My rainbow trout on a bed of pearl barley and spinach is the best food I've tasted so far
After lunch we go back into the park to savour the activities
Vera in the giant's chair
These bubble bikes are great
We end up laying on the grass, in the sunshine, in front of a bandstand. Equipment is being set up and sound checks made. We are told that things will start at 8pm, so we wander off for a beer and something to eat. The streets are thronged with mostly family groups. What is very noticeable, compared to the UK, is that nobody shouts at their children here
Returning to the band area we find that a sizeable crowd has assembled
The entertainment starts with songs from a couple of drag queens. Incidentally, the French term for a drag queen is 'drag queen'. The crowd love them
The band that we saw setting up and rehearsing earlier are the main act. It starts raining during their act, but luckily we have borrowed a couple of umbrellas from our B&B so shelter under these. The rain doesn't last long. After the music the crowd disperses, and we head back towards the old city area. We watch a distant firework display from the citadel area and return back along the boardwalk with it's 310 steps. A cargo ship glides past us on the St Lawrence, and the red and green channel markers stretch out over the dark waterway up towards Montreal and the Great Lakes beyond
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