Friday's events
Today was a little warmer though still below freezing. Eleanor and I put on all our clothes plus boots as we would be standing for hours. We got to the race site about 10 or 1030 so we could get a good spot. (The race started at noon.) This spot was on top of the old wall with good
views of 75% of the track. I wandered around later just to see what other spots were like. I didn't care for them as the racers whoosed by and were gone. At our vantage point we could see everyone from a good distance. Alysson was doing well until another skier went over one of her skis (on her second last round). This spun her around so she lost all her momentum. In the men's race, the local favorites were leading or just behind the leader when they had a bad exchange (was a team sprint so they tagged each other off every two rounds for 6 rounds). Eleanor could see it and they got jammed behind others so ended up coming in 5th. The crowd was disappointed as Alex Harvey is the local darling. Lots of people watching but not the same huge crowds they get in Europe.
Lots of people around today -- partly because it's Friday and partly because of the tourists in town. Restaurants were very busy tonite.
Supper tonite was welcome as we only had a muffin and cheese for lunch (same tomorrow). We each had a latte in a bowl after the race so that filled a hole until suppertime. We found a French restaurant this time. We made reservations in an Italian one for tomorrow when we are eating with Alysson.
We spend each evening relaxing in our room watching TV or reading. NOT bar hopping!
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Today was our second day in Quebec. After breakfast we walked over to where Alysson and all the other skiers were going round and round the course. It is .8 km long so can get tedious after awhile Alysson said. She lasted for 1 hr and 15 minutes. It's quite technical so will be interesting tomorrow when the team races occur. It's about -5 today so the snow on the course was in good shape. It is right in front of the parliament buildings and looks funny to see the snow surrounded by green grass.
We left her to ski and did some more exploring. We were still inside the old city walls but the types of stores had changed in this area -- more variety and of the type the locals would shop in. So many more people around. Yesterday was definitely a tourist area with specialty and boutique stores -- and few people shopping. We found a delightful place for lunch -- had white beet/mushroom soup which was fastastic. The sourdough bread was also excellent. This was followed by a spinach salad then dessert of a maple sugar pie (different from yesterday's) and a latte. All of this was for $20 plus tax and tip. We were so full that I didn't want supper but felt we should eat. So we split a gnocchi dish. No dessert except for an apple which we bought yesterday at the market.
We noticed today that they put up tall narrow yellow poles all over the place. There were little holes in the pavement/sidewalks for them. Alysson solved the mystery. It was to keep the snow clearing machines away from the edges of pavement, monuments, etc. Saves them from getting bashed up.
It was too cold today for standing around so tomorrow we are wearing our boots, ski overpants, extra on top, etc. We have found a good viewing spot so need to get there early in case other people have figured that out too. The race starts at noon.
Sunny skies today with little wind.
We left her to ski and did some more exploring. We were still inside the old city walls but the types of stores had changed in this area -- more variety and of the type the locals would shop in. So many more people around. Yesterday was definitely a tourist area with specialty and boutique stores -- and few people shopping. We found a delightful place for lunch -- had white beet/mushroom soup which was fastastic. The sourdough bread was also excellent. This was followed by a spinach salad then dessert of a maple sugar pie (different from yesterday's) and a latte. All of this was for $20 plus tax and tip. We were so full that I didn't want supper but felt we should eat. So we split a gnocchi dish. No dessert except for an apple which we bought yesterday at the market.
We noticed today that they put up tall narrow yellow poles all over the place. There were little holes in the pavement/sidewalks for them. Alysson solved the mystery. It was to keep the snow clearing machines away from the edges of pavement, monuments, etc. Saves them from getting bashed up.
It was too cold today for standing around so tomorrow we are wearing our boots, ski overpants, extra on top, etc. We have found a good viewing spot so need to get there early in case other people have figured that out too. The race starts at noon.
Sunny skies today with little wind.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Quebec City
Yesterday Eleanor and I flew from Kelowna to Quebec City. The trip was uneventful. We found Quebec rainy and warm which was expected but unsettling considering we are here to watch a cross country ski race. Our taxi driver found our B&B OK and the code worked for the door! Thank goodness as the propieter isn't here. We are in an approximately 200 year old home that would be freezing if it wasn't for our heater.But it is very charming and comfortable. The sister of the owner came by today to collect our money. We are getting it for $15 less each per nite and have the run of the kitchen to make our own breakfast. There appears to be one other person/s here as we heard someone come in last night and go out in the morning.
Today we walked for hours, going in and out of the very interesting shops. They are so different from at home. Of course we found things to buy so will have challenges getting everything in our suitcases. We came without checking our luggage and were only 1 lb. under the maximum weight of 22 lbs. Our backpacks were practically empty though.
Quebec city is lovely with all the old buildings and narrow connecting streets. Each house has two doorways so there is a break from the cold weather between the two doors. But this space is quite small so a challenge to get through with two suitcases. I had Eleanor's as she was doing the door code.
Today was windy with no precipitation. Quite cool on some streets which became wind tunnels. It must be below freezing now as there was ice on the walkway when we came home from supper.
It's hard to choose restaurants as there are so many. Tonite I had meat pie and we both had pea soup and maple sugar pie!!! Yum.
The clothing in the stores (boutiques) is very stylish. I noticed the same when in Montreal several years ago.
There are very few people around. Some shops are closed on Wednesdays. Mostly we saw a variety of fit looking people who were probably here to ski. But there were a lot of people at a Christmas craft market we found down by the river. That's where we found some awesome scarves. We each bought from the artist but they are very different so we won't look like twins.
Tomorrow we are going to find the race area -- probably about 15 minutes walk from here -- to watch Alysson practice. Don't know if she'll have time to go around with us as we explore more of the old city.
Yesterday Eleanor and I flew from Kelowna to Quebec City. The trip was uneventful. We found Quebec rainy and warm which was expected but unsettling considering we are here to watch a cross country ski race. Our taxi driver found our B&B OK and the code worked for the door! Thank goodness as the propieter isn't here. We are in an approximately 200 year old home that would be freezing if it wasn't for our heater.But it is very charming and comfortable. The sister of the owner came by today to collect our money. We are getting it for $15 less each per nite and have the run of the kitchen to make our own breakfast. There appears to be one other person/s here as we heard someone come in last night and go out in the morning.
Today we walked for hours, going in and out of the very interesting shops. They are so different from at home. Of course we found things to buy so will have challenges getting everything in our suitcases. We came without checking our luggage and were only 1 lb. under the maximum weight of 22 lbs. Our backpacks were practically empty though.
Quebec city is lovely with all the old buildings and narrow connecting streets. Each house has two doorways so there is a break from the cold weather between the two doors. But this space is quite small so a challenge to get through with two suitcases. I had Eleanor's as she was doing the door code.
Today was windy with no precipitation. Quite cool on some streets which became wind tunnels. It must be below freezing now as there was ice on the walkway when we came home from supper.
It's hard to choose restaurants as there are so many. Tonite I had meat pie and we both had pea soup and maple sugar pie!!! Yum.
The clothing in the stores (boutiques) is very stylish. I noticed the same when in Montreal several years ago.
There are very few people around. Some shops are closed on Wednesdays. Mostly we saw a variety of fit looking people who were probably here to ski. But there were a lot of people at a Christmas craft market we found down by the river. That's where we found some awesome scarves. We each bought from the artist but they are very different so we won't look like twins.
Tomorrow we are going to find the race area -- probably about 15 minutes walk from here -- to watch Alysson practice. Don't know if she'll have time to go around with us as we explore more of the old city.
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