It’s 10 years since we were last in Quebec and how lovely to return to this beautiful province

Wednesday 26 August 2026

Cherrie and I took the HoHo bus around Montreal this morning. It’s a true bilingual city this, with everyone (except us) switching effortlessly between French and English. At 3pm we got ourselves to the Port and met up with our friend Chris. We trois boarded the Azamara Journey for a 17 day cruise around the north east of Canada, over to Greenland and Iceland. Chris has done many cruises on this line and loves it. We trust him. So far.

Our cabin for duex is lovely, with a little balcony. A pleasant dinner while we set sail

Thursday 27 August 2026

We wake as we dock in Quebec City. It’s less bilingual, more French. Les Trois Corniadus voyager par la mer. The Three Stooges set sail.

Cherrie and I do the usual – we take the HoHo bus to remind ourselves of this city we loved so much when we were here ten years ago. It was March then, and snow covered. The beautiful St Lawrence River, up which we are travelling (Cherrie will correct me to say we are cruising down stream, even though we are going north….something about the mouth of the river – it’s all Francaise to me) was iced over then.

It’s hot here. 27 degrees. We have brought all the wrong clothes. We alight the bus at the Museum of Civilisation where we met these three big heads.

The museum is beautifully air conditioned and we potter around there until we cool down. This little snowmobile is a Quebecoise invention and the boat was unearthed, literally, when the excavation work for the museum site was undertaken. It dates back to 1751 when the land was reclaimed to build wharves. Up until then this had been the site of a shipwright who abandoned the boats for the works, the boats were buried, only to be uncovered 250 years later. An amazing discovery

Having cooled off, we walk back to the ship. I walk slowly, and dear Cherrie forges forward, back, and sideways in search of the photo, but always returns to me. I remind myself that it’s a miracle that I am walking at all, so try not to be too hard on myself. I’m decked out in my hiking boots, a hangover from the halcyon days when I could hike, and which support my ankles. I wear a back brace and use walking poles. it’s not a pretty sight.

Back on board, we catch up with Chris for a quick drink before he joins 90% of the passengers who go on a cultural excursion to hear some famous pianist, of whom we’ve never heard, in an ‘immersive’ concert. That very word immersive puts us off every time and we decline the kind invitation. An early night for us.

Friday 28 August 2026

We’re off to Montmorency Falls, about 12km from the city. At 87m high they beat Niagara Falls but they’re not as wide. The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River and fall into the St Lawrence.

Chris, Cherrie and I venture out in absolutely pouring rain, and take cover while waiting for our uber driver to deliver us to the shuttle bus

The weather has cleared by our arrival and I wanted to walk up these steps

but Cherrie wanted to take the cable car (did someone once say something about truth and a good story?). The three of us did take the cable car up

I know what you’re thinking. Did Christine do the zip line? Well, yes she did. Here is a selfie I took

Cherrie and Chris walk down the 487 stairs back to ground zero and I take a leisurely stroll down the easy path. Down is easier than up.

The shuttle drops us off at Le Château Frontenac at the top of the city, now a Fairmont Hotel.

It was built in 1893 as a grand railway hotel and it’s still grand today. Too grand for us. Chris made his way on foot back to the ship, Cherrie and I spent several hours wandering around Old Quebec City, reviving memories of our 2016 winter here. It was all white then, and the river was frozen. It’s a very different city in summer, but what a beautiful city it is. Our intrepid photo editor has unearthed some 2016 photos and compared them with today. Winter and Summer.

Such character and joy this city eminates. In winter and summer

It’s hot again today. This French Canadian weather is very confused. A bit like Melbourne – four seasons in one day. Good for the gardens though

We depart Quebec City tonight, bound for more adventures