So we had planned the 8hr journey with 2 hour intervals at the lake. But we were then told how amazing Montreal was, and given lots of local tips, so thought, ok, we will do that instead of Saint Zotique.
First obstacle: parking. We tried to get to the one recommended, but so many street closures and death wish pedestrians, we find another one marked ‘P’. Oh did, I say everything is in French? We descend into the steepest tightest longest ramp into the pit of hell. The photos don’t do it justice.
Anyhow, Leon manages to park, we pay our $17 and set out to see Montreal and stretch our legs.
We have been recommended Chez Cora for breakfast, so walk there down Saint Catherine’s street. It’s 20 min of loud, industrial crashing, drilling, banging, roads dug up, cranes! It was mental. Imagine London being dumped in the middle of French Canada, and then digging 3/4 of the pedestrianised parts up all at the same time.
Here is Chez Cora:
We both are coming down with head colds now, and pop to a pharmacist. 90 minutes in Montreal is enough for us and we head onwards.
This reconfirms that big cities are not for us.
The driving in and out of Montreal was hellish, and we are both now stressed, and the anxiety I had zapped every ounce of energy from me. And we still have 7.5 hours to go. Oh dear.