Quebec

On Wednesday we arrived in Quebec.

The weather has not been great coming up the St Lawrence Seaway but at least it was clear enough for us to experience our arrival in this very French city.

Our berth was right next to the old city and the most perfectly positioned of all our berths during this cruise.

The city is dominated by the massive Chateau de Frontenac.

Docked by 2:30 in the afternoon we were able to take a good walk around the old city - we could easily have been in France (or Japan!) 

This is what the arrival of a cruise liner does for the narrow streets of the lower part of the old city.

We’ve arrived in Canada at the absolute perfect time for the colour.

The cathedral (Basilique-cathedrale Notre-Dame de Quebec to give it it’s proper name!) is in the upper part of the city and, like almost every building, is in perfect condition.

The upper and lower parts of the city are joined either by some steep wooden steps (very pleasant in the evening when the lights come on) or by the cable car (“Furniculaire du Vieux-Quebec”).  

“Arcadia” looked quite fantastic with her lights on during the early evening.  The skies remained pretty threatening during the whole of our stay.

Today we spent more time walking the very atmospheric streets …

….. and we were reminded in various parts of the city that it was coming up to Halloween.  It also seems to be a celebration of harvest.  This was in the Place de l’Hotel-de-Ville.

In many small nooks and crannies were some really interesting sculpture and art forms.

Here’s Doug, wrapped up against the very chilly wind on this second day of our visit in front of ……….

…… the Chateau Frontenac.  Constructed in 1892 – 1893 it’s one of many Chateau style hotels built by Canada’s wealthy railway companies to reflect the 14th and 15th century Chateaux of the Loire Valley.

Inside it’s quite imposing as well!

We asked someone (who looked as though they knew what they were doing!) to take this shot of us with the ship behind.  After several pics with our heads chopped off this was the best he could achieve!

A black squirrel (what else!)

A better pic. this time from the Citadelle ……

…… and a panorama showing the Citadelle ramparts, the Chateau Frontenac and below, the board walk, “Arcadia” in her prime position and the St Lawrence River flowing eastwards towards the Atlantic Ocean.

And finally, it’s beginning to turn bit chilly in Canada right now but this resident might just be a little premature!