We've Arrived!

 The best part of anchoring: peaceful surroundings and after a swim - a glass of wine and a book.

Tuesday, July 13th

In Old Montreal, the marina that we had hoped to go into was booked up, so we settled for docking in Dorval. The marina there was huge - the docks themselves were great but the washrooms and showers a long walk and not air conditioned to boot. We opted to have our "post docking in a sweltering harbour" shower on the boat. While Warren and Karen entertained family, we took the water taxi/shuttle across the river to Montreal - spent a while walking among the Sunday summer crowds on Rue Saint Paul and Place Jacques Cartier and then had dinner at Steak Frites. It's a bring your own wine restaurant so we bought a bottle at a nearby Depannier and sat down to a dinner which included those wonderful Montreal frites.

Anchored at Les Isles aux Sables

We've been hankering after an anchoring experience like those we experienced going south. Early Monday afternoon we moved off the main channel and ventured into the archipelago east of Sorel to find a spot mentioned in one of our guides. Bob checked the chart to ensure there would be enough water: authors of our guidebooks sometimes describe spots with doubtful suitability for deep draft boats like ours; however, this spot near Ilse aux Sables was great and we were able to spend a peaceful afternoon and evening sitting between wooded islands - the occasional small cottage sitting among the trees.

We've been leaving everyday about 7:00 so as to travel in the cooler part of the day and to get to our next stop with time to spare for chores or recreation (or some of each). As we cruise downriver, the current is pushing us along so that at low engine RPMs we move at around 7 nm per hour. The farther downriver we go, the more significant the current effect. On our way back up river, we'll be fighting current plus prevailing winds and until we get past Brockville - the time we've taken to travel from place to place down river could be doubled on our way back.

After spending the night in Trois Rivieres, we left this morning at 7:50 a.m. That was the time that the group agreed matched recommendations in all of our various sources. Why so much focus on departure time? Coming up - the dreaded Richelieu Rapids - dreaded by us anyway. We will be going fast fast: our boat speed combined with current speed will have us flying along through a channel too narrow for two of the big ships to share. We're hoping we don't find one beside us while we're going through - even though - I would think one big - a freighter let's say - and one small - that would be us should fit. In any case, we'd prefer not to have to share!

Thursday, July 15th

The rapids were no problem - it was a windless day and the surface of the water was almost smooth although you could see and feel the pull of small whirlpools as we went along. We didn't pass any boats at all in the narrow part so really - as per usual - much anxious anticipation about not much at all - but then research and planning spurred on by a little anxiety do help ensure successful passages.

The Marina at Portneuf

 Church at Pontneuf

Just after the "rapids" we stopped at Portneuf for the night. Then this morning we waited until just before 11:00 a.m. so as to ride the current to Quebec City. We're here - we're finally here!