Boog's Blog

Are you sure you want to leave all those moules-frites behind…?

D.

—–Original Message—–
From: Jeff Gray
Sent: Jul 12, 2009 8:41 PM
To: sacking@netbox.com, vox <980286c3a15f1c66@moblog.vox.com>
Subject: BSQ Sackers almost captured at 'fin de sack'

The Sackers were close to defeat but have found a route out;  not without paying a ransom.

First, the stats.
   miles biked (by GPS )  439
   number of moules frites dinners : 5
   help from our friends:  priceless

Started innocently enough, asked the Concierge to find us a car from Quebec to some Bar Harbor.  We knew that this from earlier research.  Several days notice given for the task.  Seemed simple enough.  Not.

After returning yesterday from a fine dinner of Moules Frites ,Pizza, Griffon Rousse, and Listel Rose (sacking is a hard days work) the Concierge advised:  "no cars available to leave town; only Avis permits one way to USA"

Hmm… off to the net connection for the sackers.

– tried on line.   No cars available. 

-called Avis.  Finally got to a person.  No cars to USA.  OK, how about a car to Montreal and then we will find a car there.  No cars available, sold out.  Holidays etc.

-Contacted Via Rail and Amtrak.   Easy to Montreal, easy to then go South but no way to get our bikes off the train until Albany.   Nope, cannot get bikes off at Plattsburgh or other points south.

-Buses.  Nope.   Longer research but same result.

-Planes.  OK, fly to Toronto, then NYC or Washington and then to Boston.  Other silly variations. 

-Camels.   None advertise on Google.  Also, under union rules they will not carry bicycles.

-Looked at biking routes.  Too long for all the sackers to make it to the wedding.

-On a lark decided to try another route to book a car.  Went to Kayak.com and they too indicated all cars sold out or unavailable.   Decided to try a future date ( many sackers got held up by the winter or disease and had to do a layover).   Nope, no cars.  Just wanted a car for 24 hours; only a 300 mile drive.

-Then,  I tried booking for three days. No good reason but thought maybe they would prioritize a longer billing.  Yep!   No problem!  After some fussing around with various alternatives and locations found that I could get what we wanted in multiple locations (one within walking distance of the hotel) from Hertz if we booked the 13th  for two days.  No way to book for one day!   At $350 a day!

-Sackers will have to pay a ransom to leave.

The final night includes a return to the same Moules Frites place, and then a Son  et Lumiere on the grain silos along the river.  Each night at 22:00 there is a show called "Images" put on by the city.  Must be left over from their 400th anniversary last year.  A Quebec history as a collection of 'Images'.  Very artistically done.

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The Sackers were close to defeat but have found a route out; not without
paying a ransom.

First, the stats.
miles biked (by GPS ) 439
number of moules frites dinners : 5
help from our friends: priceless

Started innocently enough, asked the Concierge to find us a car from Quebec
to some Bar Harbor. We knew that this from earlier research. Several days
notice given for the task. Seemed simple enough. Not.

After returning yesterday from a fine dinner of Moules Frites ,Pizza,
Griffon Rousse, and Listel Rose (sacking is a hard days work) the Concierge
advised: "no cars available to leave town; only Avis permits one way to
USA"

Hmm… off to the net connection for the sackers.

– tried on line. No cars available.

-called Avis. Finally got to a person. No cars to USA. OK, how about a
car to Montreal and then we will find a car there. No cars available, sold
out. Holidays etc.

-Contacted Via Rail and Amtrak. Easy to Montreal, easy to then go South
but no way to get our bikes off the train until Albany. Nope, cannot get
bikes off at Plattsburgh or other points south.

-Buses. Nope. Longer research but same result.

-Planes. OK, fly to Toronto, then NYC or Washington and then to Boston.
Other silly variations.

-Camels. None advertise on Google. Also, under union rules they will not
carry bicycles.

-Looked at biking routes. Too long for all the sackers to make it to the
wedding.

-On a lark decided to try another route to book a car. Went to Kayak.com
and they too indicated all cars sold out or unavailable. Decided to try a
future date ( many sackers got held up by the winter or disease and had to
do a layover). Nope, no cars. Just wanted a car for 24 hours; only a 300
mile drive.

-Then, I tried booking for three days. No good reason but thought maybe
they would prioritize a longer billing. Yep! No problem! After some
fussing around with various alternatives and locations found that I could
get what we wanted in multiple locations (one within walking distance of the
hotel) from Hertz if we booked the 13th for two days. No way to book for
one day! At $350 a day!

-Sackers will have to pay a ransom to leave.

The final night includes a return to the same Moules Frites place, and then
a Son et Lumiere on the grain silos along the river. Each night at 22:00
there is a show called "Images" put on by the city. Must be left over from
their 400th anniversary last year. A Quebec history as a collection of
'Images'. Very artistically done.

view_final_sack.jpg

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Idyllic water views but Sharon looks way too rested. clearly you're not
driving her hard enough.

_____

From: Jeff Gray [mailto:jwg@boogs.net]
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 4:14 AM
To: sacking@netbox.com; vox
Subject: BSQ Neuville A Ball of Wool

Today we had a ball of wool (instead of a ball of string) in the form of a
600 foot scarf knitted to put up for public festivals. As we rode through
Cap-Sante we found that Radio Canada was filming a "celebrity" and she soon
would be arriving by model T. Many people came out to see. There will be
better (good?) pictures on Flickr. Along with yesterday's bees. Cap-Sante
is quite beautiful. One picture is included in today's post.

We stayed at a B&B called a Couette. So far the types of accommodations:
-Gites
-Couettes
-Maisons (tonight)
-Auberges
-Mansions
-Motels
-Hotels

And, like Tom Lehrer in his elements song, there may be others but they have
not as yet been discovered.

Breakfast (pictured as well as a sign from the place) included homemade
jams, bread, gauffe, fruit, yogurt and of course pain of chocolate.

Great riding day, maybe one of the best ever. Low 70's in temp, sunny, no
wind, beautiful road parallel to the great river; rolling between 100 and
300 feet. Excellent views. One mildly interesting observation is the
churches, bordering on cathedral size. Every small town seems to have one.
Centre
Ville. Even towns that now have less than 1000 people. Big churches.
Stopped in one to discuss; have to close in winter as there are too few to
support the heating costs.

Lunch was a picnic of jambon, two cheeses (one local), local frais, local
tomatoes, fresh bread, and some plums. Stopped at a roadside stand, bought
the frais and then used their table.

You might notice two pictures, one especially restful one, of Sharon after
the ride. One has osme Belgium beer, a white beer, to help ease the
transition off the bike.

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Arrival in the old part of Quebec. Spectacular looking city, at least a
first impression. Staying at Loews Le Concorde, above the old town. Just
made today's ride more vertical. Just could not "do" the Frontenac. Half
or less the room size, old rooms, twice or more the price.

Another perfect day for riding. Scenery even better if possible. Scenery
getting better often entails good views from significant heights.

In general up and down 150-250 foot rises (hotel a 350 foot rise). Some too
steep for me to ride loaded. Had to walk three long ones of 10%-12% grades.
Not sure if I could have made them all the way up unloaded. Think of the
Tour de France: today's stage climbs to 6500 feet with many long 17%
grades. Impressive.

George commented on the Gallette statue and, without a translation of the
plaque (see flickr for pic), it is a monument to the baker of cookies. A
good observation, bien.

Had a good beer. For reference: Griffon Rousse

Walk around the old and then a bain tourbillion. Great view from a room
with a view.

This week is a summer festival. Dozens of bands and shows. Lots of outside
entertainment, just feet from hotel. Big crowds eating on terraces.

Not sure when this will go as net connection to Android problematical.

Breakfast; atop the rotating (90 minutes) restaurant at Loews. Big
breakfast buffet. Giant blueberries, many consumed along with fresh fruits,
crepes etc. Meal was comped as QB fussed to the management the lack of
confiture and bowls. Good NY fuss.

picsay-1247253068.jpg

picsay-1247253145.jpg

2009-07-10 20.43.09.jpg

2009-07-11 11.03.31.jpg

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Today we had a ball of wool (instead of a ball of string) in the form of a
600 foot scarf knitted to put up for public festivals. As we rode through
Cap-Sante we found that Radio Canada was filming a "celebrity" and she soon
would be arriving by model T. Many people came out to see. There will be
better (good?) pictures on Flickr. Along with yesterday's bees. Cap-Sante
is quite beautiful. One picture is included in today's post.

We stayed at a B&B called a Couette. So far the types of accommodations:
-Gites
-Couettes
-Maisons (tonight)
-Auberges
-Mansions
-Motels
-Hotels

And, like Tom Lehrer in his elements song, there may be others but they have
not as yet been discovered.

Breakfast (pictured as well as a sign from the place) included homemade
jams, bread, gauffe, fruit, yogurt and of course pain of chocolate.

Great riding day, maybe one of the best ever. Low 70's in temp, sunny, no
wind, beautiful road parallel to the great river; rolling between 100 and
300 feet. Excellent views. One mildly interesting observation is the
churches, bordering on cathedral size. Every small town seems to have one.
Centre
Ville. Even towns that now have less than 1000 people. Big churches.
Stopped in one to discuss; have to close in winter as there are too few to
support the heating costs.

Lunch was a picnic of jambon, two cheeses (one local), local frais, local
tomatoes, fresh bread, and some plums. Stopped at a roadside stand, bought
the frais and then used their table.

You might notice two pictures, one especially restful one, of Sharon after
the ride. One has osme Belgium beer, a white beer, to help ease the
transition off the bike.

picsay-1247140470.jpg

2009-07-09 07.35.45.jpg

2009-07-09 10.15.12.jpg

2009-07-09 10.40.18.jpg

2009-07-09 12.57.27.jpg

2009-07-09 12.57.44.jpg

2009-07-09 14.33.27.jpg

2009-07-09 16.54.37.jpg

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So is the statue of "Mr. Galette" similar to the statue of Capt. Gregory in Mass. celebrating the birth of the doughnut.

G
On Jul 8, 2009, at 5:44 PM, Jeff Gray wrote:

> At least two balls of string, and then even more, including ride > details.
>
> As to riding, it just does not get any better. Low sixties, > interemittent light rain, and moderate to very gusty head winds. > Rode at half normal speed.
>
> The first ball of string is the cheese shop. Not a Monty Phython > one. Two pictures included. Locally made including sample. > Naturally got the one pictured for consumption at tonite's picnic at > the Gite.
>
> Hard to find accomodations for tonight. This Gite is isolated with > no nearby places to eat; we shopped about 10 km back.
>
> The second ball.
>
> When we arrived found the outside swarming with bees. Asked about > it and "not normal" just started. Turns out a local bee hive (makes > honey) escaped. Pics of the recapture process and for those > following on twitter a short video clip. Nice adventure for us and > interesting to watch. Owner not so pleased.
>
> The Gite is situated next to a stream which runs to the mill > (Moulin). Not far away is the vendor selling honey (of our bee > adventure) and bleuet (blueberries).
>
> Dinner: local cheese, local smoked salmon, local baguette, local > fruit, French Camenbert.
>
> <2009-07-08 14.08.37.jpg><2009-07-08 14.08.22.jpg><2009-07-08 > 15.42.10.jpg><2009-07-08 15.43.26.jpg><2009-07-08 > 15.44.26.jpg><2009-07-08 17.52.50.jpg><2009-07-08 17.52.33.jpg>

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Nice pics.  Looks like fun.  BTW-I really like the picture of the clouds on your flickr site.  Would look nice in a frame.

I love cloud pictures.

D.

—–Original Message—–
From: Jeff Gray
Sent: Jul 7, 2009 7:18 PM
To: sacking@netbox.com
Cc: vox <980286c3a15f1c66@moblog.vox.com>
Subject: BSQ Trois Riveres

This is Frais season – special strawberry dishes, lots on stands and farm corners. Different from the California ones.  A little less sweet, smaller, more fragile, no white inside (all goodness).  About $5 Canadian a quart and well worth it.

Pictures of Feve du Lard.  Their bean dish.  Served as shown from a big pot into bean pots.  For breakfast a bean pot and two thick, verey thick, slices of toast.  Oddly made without maple syrup.

Waiter made a couple of mistakes this evening.  Nothing was said by the boogs.  No bill came; when I asaked he said comped or the equivalent in Quebecoise.  The errors were: ran out of moules, forgot a salade we did not need, forgot my frites, did remind him on that point.

Dinner was lake perch.  Fresh from Lac du Piere.

Good storm, excellent clouds.  Rode in moderate but comfortable rain, no mud.  Not a death ride.

Took too much time booking ahead for thew 'morrow.  First 5 places 'complet'.  Not many choices.

Big sucess with getting fresh laundry.  Hotel allowed up to use their facility.  After we got it started they finished the drying and folding and delivered.  All outside the system.

Walked the old city.  Amazing number of gelato places and quite a few restaurants.  In second oldest city in Quebec.

Catching up on pictures from the isle d'ronde visit. 

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At least two balls of string, and then even more, including ride details.

As to riding, it just does not get any better. Low sixties, interemittent
light rain, and moderate to very gusty head winds. Rode at half normal
speed.

The first ball of string is the cheese shop. Not a Monty Phython one. Two
pictures included. Locally made including sample. Naturally got the one
pictured for consumption at tonite's picnic at the Gite.

Hard to find accomodations for tonight. This Gite is isolated with no
nearby places to eat; we shopped about 10 km back.

The second ball.

When we arrived found the outside swarming with bees. Asked about it and
"not normal" just started. Turns out a local bee hive (makes honey) escaped.
Pics of the recapture process and for those following on twitter a short
video clip. Nice adventure for us and interesting to watch. Owner not so
pleased.

The Gite is situated next to a stream which runs to the mill (Moulin). Not
far away is the vendor selling honey (of our bee adventure) and bleuet
(blueberries).

Dinner: local cheese, local smoked salmon, local baguette, local fruit,
French Camenbert.

2009-07-08 14.08.37.jpg

2009-07-08 14.08.22.jpg

2009-07-08 15.42.10.jpg

2009-07-08 15.43.26.jpg

2009-07-08 15.44.26.jpg

2009-07-08 17.52.50.jpg

2009-07-08 17.52.33.jpg

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This is Frais season – special strawberry dishes, lots on stands and farm
corners. Different from the California ones. A little less sweet, smaller,
more fragile, no white inside (all goodness). About $5 Canadian a quart and
well worth it.

Pictures of Feve du Lard. Their bean dish. Served as shown from a big pot
into bean pots. For breakfast a bean pot and two thick, verey thick, slices
of toast. Oddly made without maple syrup.

Waiter made a couple of mistakes this evening. Nothing was said by the
boogs. No bill came; when I asaked he said comped or the equivalent in
Quebecoise. The errors were: ran out of moules, forgot a salade we did not
need, forgot my frites, did remind him on that point.

Dinner was lake perch. Fresh from Lac du Piere.

Good storm, excellent clouds. Rode in moderate but comfortable rain, no
mud. Not a death ride.

Took too much time booking ahead for thew 'morrow. First 5 places
'complet'. Not many choices.

Big sucess with getting fresh laundry. Hotel allowed up to use their
facility. After we got it started they finished the drying and folding and
delivered. All outside the system.

Walked the old city. Amazing number of gelato places and quite a few
restaurants. In second oldest city in Quebec.

Catching up on pictures from the isle d'ronde visit.

picsay-1246638862.jpg

picsay-1246826877.jpg

picsay-1246883552.jpg

2009-07-05 15.17.43.jpg

2009-07-05 15.18.33.jpg

2009-07-05 09.37.48.jpg

picsay-1246981239.jpg

2009-07-07 11.32.15.jpg

2009-07-07 15.39.50.jpg

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Once again with no net connection – none in this town. None. Oh well.

A note from yesterday. The island we stayed on had no drinking water. Just pumped water from the Saint Lawrence. Bottled water did fine.

More discussions about Canadian health system. Happy but waits are getting longer and service will continue to deterioate due to aging boomers. 17 hours in some ER rooms.

Today a longer ride but not a death ride. Peleton raising charity funds passed us. Camera pictures to be posted eventually.

Lots of stone and brick houses along the St. Lawrence route.

Stoped for ice cream. No you cannot have it your way. Vanilla cone middle size. No cannot use the cups for anything except sundays, other no items followed. Similar experiance at the dinner restaurant. Flexibility is not the Quebec way.

Nice four star Gite, pictured.

Gite louiseville.jpg

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