We had our Saturday on Friday.
T has been working shift patterns so our two day 'weekend' has been all over the place the past couple of months. It doesn't matter to us as we don't have to fit in around my job or children. In fact, it's better as it means we can go places and not get caught up in the weekend traffic and madness.
T has been working shift patterns so our two day 'weekend' has been all over the place the past couple of months. It doesn't matter to us as we don't have to fit in around my job or children. In fact, it's better as it means we can go places and not get caught up in the weekend traffic and madness.
So we decided to take advantage of our weekday weekend, and road trip!
We headed North West out of the city to The Laurentians region and the town of Mont Tremblant. It took about 90 minutes (including a coffee break at Tim Horton's, but this time without the Timbits - for a Timbit explanation, see 'Ottawa' in February) to arrive at the bustling town. Managing to find a parking space down a side street - it appeared to be unlimited free parking once off the main street - we then had a wander around the picturesque town in the sunshine.
We headed North West out of the city to The Laurentians region and the town of Mont Tremblant. It took about 90 minutes (including a coffee break at Tim Horton's, but this time without the Timbits - for a Timbit explanation, see 'Ottawa' in February) to arrive at the bustling town. Managing to find a parking space down a side street - it appeared to be unlimited free parking once off the main street - we then had a wander around the picturesque town in the sunshine.
I had spotted an interesting looking deli as we drove through the town, so we made our way over to it. We then spent a very long time in the place, gawping at the delights and restraining ourselves from buying every item in the shop. It stocked everything from dishes and cutlery, various utensils you never knew you needed but once saw them wondered how you ever managed without them; through to amazing cheeses, breads, condiments and cakes. We spied a couple of familiar sights from the UK, such as Mrs Bridges chutneys, for $9.99 (they are £2.65 in the UK) and the Belazu balsamic vinegar. I love this vinegar, but my excitement was cut short when I peered at the price: $49.99!!! I know it's not cheap in England, I seem to remember its about £13, but nearly $50?! It probably had tax on it, so the price you actually paid at the till would then be closer to $60!! I know it costs to import it et cetera, but still there is no way I can bring myself to pay these kind of prices!
The people in the deli were very friendly and helpful (I have been unfortunate in being on the receiving end of rude shopkeepers in the past few weeks, hence this being a noteworthy occurrence) and, managing to reign ourselves in and concentrate on solely buying food for a picnic, following their suggestion we bought two cheeses: a hard cheese, local to Quebec, and a French goats cheese - not so local but it was one of the best goats cheeses I have ever eaten. We also bought a small salami, which they sliced for us, a multi-grain baguette, some olives, a couple of cappuccinos...and a carrot cake... Nothing fancy, just good, honest - and very tasty - items.
Armed with our bagful of goodies we made our way back to the car and went off in search of a lake to enjoy this picnic feast...
I do not know what it is with us and lakes and trying to have scenic picnics out here!
Maybe it is one of those European expectations we have and it is not the way it works in North America. I remember having picnics on the shores of the lakes in the Lake District without too much trouble. Nor in mainland Europe for that matter.
So far we have not had much luck with picnics on this continent, and today was going to be no exception...
We drove to Lac Tremblant, the surrounding hills being a great ski destination in the winter.
Maybe it is one of those European expectations we have and it is not the way it works in North America. I remember having picnics on the shores of the lakes in the Lake District without too much trouble. Nor in mainland Europe for that matter.
So far we have not had much luck with picnics on this continent, and today was going to be no exception...
We drove to Lac Tremblant, the surrounding hills being a great ski destination in the winter.
It is a stunning place, but the only access to the lake we could find, you had to pay for - that was in addition to paying to park. We didn't want long on the shore, just time enough to eat leisurely, so didn't feel it justified paying. We continued along the winding roads and, as we came upon dead end after dead end without any access to the lake, we had Lake-Placid-deja-vu.
After a very unsuccessful half an hour we decided to admit defeat at Lac Tremblant and drive on to another lake nearby, which was smaller and less hotels around - surely we would have more luck there?
However Lac Ouimet was not playing the scenic picnic game either. We could see the water through the trees as we drove alongside it, but the only openings off the road were private driveways. Finally we came across a minor road and turned off onto it, but reached the end of it having come across nothing but houses.
In the end, at 3pm, hunger well and truly got the better of us and we pulled over into a space that wasn't even a lay-by and ate our lunch without any water view (there wasn't any view whatsoever to be totally honest). It was nice and quiet though!
However Lac Ouimet was not playing the scenic picnic game either. We could see the water through the trees as we drove alongside it, but the only openings off the road were private driveways. Finally we came across a minor road and turned off onto it, but reached the end of it having come across nothing but houses.
In the end, at 3pm, hunger well and truly got the better of us and we pulled over into a space that wasn't even a lay-by and ate our lunch without any water view (there wasn't any view whatsoever to be totally honest). It was nice and quiet though!
Making our way slowly and leisurely back to Montreal, we came back via the scenic route, stopping at Val-David to check out some cycling routes for future reference, and trying unsuccessfully to find a local butcher, as they are not common in Montreal, and the supermarket meat leaves alot to be desired...
Driving back we came cross a pretty lake and started taking pictures...
Driving back we came cross a pretty lake and started taking pictures...
...before we realized we had seen this lake before, in the Fall:
As we came closer to Montreal, the road in the other direction was jammed with commuter traffic, and as we sped home we reasoned we were definitely travelling in the right direction, and glad it wasn't a Sunday otherwise we would be the ones playing stop-start.
The joy of weekday weekends!
The joy of weekday weekends!