Ile d'Orleans, May 31

Now, B&B's try to do a good job of providing a good breakfast. Barry had remembered this one as being particularly good, which is why we ended up there. And we were not disappointed. When I

get them from Barry, i will attach some pictures. But it began with grapefruit, soaked with Triple-Sec, and some sugar, and broiled in the oven. There was banana and date loaf, four jams, fresh fruits, café-au-lait, asparagus omelettes, and other things I have already forgotten. We contemplated the cost of staying there for three weeks, but decided that we really should go on. But may well stop there on the way back. And I plan to get Darlene there at some point.

So we went our merry and slightly heavier way towards the bridge at Levis. Saw a hang-glider along the way, before going over to the Quebec City side. We had to go into the City because Barry needed to buy a hat which was available there and few other places in North America. And I needed some cash (the B&B did not take VISA). But we got to walk around a bit in the city and again marvel at how wonderful it was.

But it was a short visit, and we were off to the Ile, with a stop at Montmorency Falls to see that beautiful sight.

We had recommended to us an Auberge called the Canard Huppe, and we went there right away. Turned out to be more expensive than we had counted on, but there was s supper included, and we thought "what the hell". But it was a beautiful day, and so we got the bikes out and went for a lovely and long ride around most of the island, getting a few splats of rain, but nothing serous, and doing more than 50 km. altogether. We felt virtuous and ready to take on the announced seven-course meal. And what a meal it turned out to be. I ate ris-de-veau (sweetbreads) which were magnificent, but this was the third course, the first two being fruit compositions, and a salad to die for. Then there was another course after that, and then desert. And I probably forgot something.

So we feel we got our money's worth.

Again, slept well, but there was rain through the night and into the morning. Woke to a grey, cold day with wet sounds on the outside of the skylight. Breakfast was also wonderful, and again we said our good-byes with some sadness (although thank heavens that this guy took credit cards!)

The trip up to Chicoutimi involved about 80 km of road construction to widen the existing road to four lanes, but through scenery much like scenery in BC, but a bit less rugged. And there was a whole lot of it. After about 250 km, we got out of the Parc and into the outskirts of Chicoutimi. We stopped at the Tourist Bureau, got a lot of information, and decided that the best Gîte was the Château Murdock.

We drove over there, and they had rooms for us all (although that for Barry and Nancy was not as good as mine). We agreed to stay there, and went off in search of a good lunch. The lady of the Château suggested a few places, and we tried out Artis, but decided it was too noisy, so went instead to Pizzata, and had a great lunch there.

Than back to the Chateau, and Nancy went for a rest (it tuned out that she was in the first part of a migraine), and Barry and I sat outside and read. I also took time for a little nap.

We had had such a good lunch that none of us was eager for supper. Nancy, as I said, was in the throes of a migraine. So Barry and I went out to find something light, to have with some beer. We first went for a long walk along the werfront, an area that they have nicely renovated, before going back uptown. We had met two other cyclists, Dennis (a retired teacher from Bracebridge) and Glen (who works at Algonquin Outfitters in Hunstville), and we and they ate a pretty awful supper in town - but the beer was good.

Home and to bed. Slept well. We had bicycled 56 km.