From Lincoln we continued to head north, passing for a short time into Vermont before crossing into Canada at the Stansted border station. An hour or two further on we stopped for a late lunch on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River in the town of Trois Rivieres, Quebec Province. It was now very cold, and probably a major turning point in the excellent weather we have enjoyed to date in our American adventure. There were few people out walking, and we didn't tarry too long on the park bench overlooking the wide river and the passing freighters moving along it. We were trembling with cold when we returned to the car but that changed quickly as soon as we got underway again. We arrived in Quebec city just before dark, checking into the Auberge du Littoral a few kilometres from Quebec old city. The next day we had a long walk around the latter and spent a few hours in the excellent Musee de l'Amerique francaise which deals with the history of French-speaking people in North America, the past rivalries and wars between England and France and their impact on Quebec, and indigenous settlement in the Quebec province.
We were surprised at how little English is spoken here. French is very much the principal language, and we heard no English apart from our own conversations. But the locals are very helpful and friendly and it was a fascinating couple of days in Quebec, albeit cold. A maximum of 2C, and minimum of -6C, is forecast for tomorrow. Time to bring out the thick coat I bought at the Beijing silk market.
We were surprised at how little English is spoken here. French is very much the principal language, and we heard no English apart from our own conversations. But the locals are very helpful and friendly and it was a fascinating couple of days in Quebec, albeit cold. A maximum of 2C, and minimum of -6C, is forecast for tomorrow. Time to bring out the thick coat I bought at the Beijing silk market.
