Fall - Autumn - is in the air.
Summer has tried it's best to hang on, and hasn't given up without a fight, interspersing the cooling days with spells of intense humidity. The first day which was tinged with Fall directed thoughts toward wrapping up in layers of clothes, being able to hide under the duvet at night rather than failing to sleep because of the heat, roasted squash and warming soups. It also bought the thought that winter is just around the corner...
Summer has tried it's best to hang on, and hasn't given up without a fight, interspersing the cooling days with spells of intense humidity. The first day which was tinged with Fall directed thoughts toward wrapping up in layers of clothes, being able to hide under the duvet at night rather than failing to sleep because of the heat, roasted squash and warming soups. It also bought the thought that winter is just around the corner...
In between the quick task which has turned into a full on mission of re-editing my book, I have been out and about, making the most of being able to walk places for the fun of it. (Before winter makes most outside trips only when necessary, and eyes are firmly on the ground watching your step rather than being able to observe your surroundings.)
One day a friend a I followed the trail of pianos dotted around the Le Plateau area.
I was tempted to sit down and play, but there were some very good pianists performing on a couple of them, and not having played for nearly a year, I didn't want to make a fool of myself.
We also visited areas of the city we have never been to before, such as the area of Westmount, with it's stunning huge houses. Located on the opposite side of the mountain to Outremont , both areas are considered to be similar in terms of big houses and leafy streets, but Westmount is more of an English speaking area whereas Outremont is predominantly French.
We walked around some of the streets, marvelling at the size of some houses, but both decided we wouldn't want to live in the majority of them, as they are situated on a steep hill (forming one side of the mountain). Whilst this would get you fit in the summer, winter would be a difficulty - walking up and down the steep incline, especially for unknowing Brits such as ourselves
would prove a great challenge. Tobogganing down could be the answer, but how to get up??
The views from the top however, are incredible.
We walked around some of the streets, marvelling at the size of some houses, but both decided we wouldn't want to live in the majority of them, as they are situated on a steep hill (forming one side of the mountain). Whilst this would get you fit in the summer, winter would be a difficulty - walking up and down the steep incline, especially for unknowing Brits such as ourselves
would prove a great challenge. Tobogganing down could be the answer, but how to get up??
The views from the top however, are incredible.
T has been working weekends and long week days, so we haven't been able to get out to do as much exploring out of the city as we had wanted to, but on his odd hours off we too have been wandering along more un-walked streets - even if we haven't seen much of the surrounding land, we might as well know the city well!
As I have mentioned before, it is not a city I really want to cycle much in, due to have being spoilt with the designated lanes and tendency of cyclists there not to run straight into you, in Munich. But walking, despite not covering as much distance, means you are able to spot things you may otherwise have cycled past:
One Saturday we went for a coffee, and then walked down to Av. Mont-Royal, where they had blocked off the whole street to traffic for three days, and the shops all extended outside. With the smell of barbecued meat in the air and music drifting down the street, it was like one bug street party.
After all this walking , all we needed was find a place to sit...
After all this walking , all we needed was find a place to sit...