Day 27 - Friday, June 27 - Quebec City

This morning we woke up to sunshine and predictions of very hot temps compared to what we have been at - a high of 28 C with clear skies.  So we have set the air con in the Moho to come on as soon as it gets hot so Gidget will be comfortable all day.  We get the shuttle and head off to Quebec City.  It is already hot already for me.  We arrive in the City and the architecture is beautiful.

We choose a Hop On Hop Off tour as the heat will be too much for me to do a lot of walking on our own.  The tour guides speak both in English and in French so there will be much to learn today.  

Our first stop is the Place D'Armes.  This is the military square where all the troops gathered.  Here is a statue of Samuel De Champlain in the square and the Chateau Frontenac off to the right.  

Beautiful architecture.  The roof on the Chateau is copper and that is why the color green is not consistent, it rusts and changes shades of green as that happens.  

Out in the harbour of the St. Lawrence there is a cruise ship, a ferry and a tourist boat that offers rides along the St. Lawrence.  It is a beautiful day for a picture of the harbour. 

There were many fires in the city and the government made a law that all buildings must be made of cement or brick as a measure to protect the city.  The smooth stone buildings are those constructed by the English and the rough stone finish was made by the French.  The roofs on the buildings here are either copper - as seen on the Chateau Frontenac or galvanized. 

This is a golden statue of man and his dog.  It really shines, the picture does not do it justice.  Apparently this dog saved his life so was immortalized in this way.  This is the Notre-Dame-De-Lorette. 

At the square Placed'Armes there is a museum of the Battle at the Plains of Abraham.  We went in and saw a historical movie of the events that led to Quebec staying as part if Canada.  The steep slopes that surround this battle field made it a natural fortress.  The city is behind the large stone walls that were built in the early 1700's. Very interesting.  

Above - A sample of the architecture of the era.

A restaurant that shows the difference in the brick work done by the English and the French.

Another picture of the area around the Place D'Armes.  

We visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral near the square.  The church is Anglican and houses many precious objects donated by King George the 3rd.  The benches are made of imported oak and  the stained glass is everywhere in the church.  In the Cathedral Courtyard artisans display and sell their wares.  You can have your picture sketched, buy a woollen sweater, various handmade scarves or hand made soaps. 

The bus takes us back at 4:00 pm and this has been a full day and oh so hot.  I think it feels hotter as it is also humid.  Good day, now for some rest.