Monday, August 29, 2022

28 August 2022: Quebec City along the Promenade Samuel de Champlaign and to Dinner 101

 


We drove due South and arrived at a long series of parks and Promenades.  We saw the entirety of the possible modes of exercise: jogging, walking, bike riding, scooter riding, dog walking, baby pushing, grandparenting,  sail boating, lawn chair sitting and blanket laying power napping.  There was an array of art pieces and the wings were the  best.  A cute older Canadian couple stopped and engaged us.  They spoke only French and our English was fairly passible.  He told me that the wings had been donated by an artist who was from Mexico.  At least that is what I think he said.  The wife grabbed Leslie's elbow and asked her if she was from Quebec and we all got a good laugh.  Then it was back to the pad and getting or minds right for dinner.  Gin to the rescue once again.  Saving money at restaurants, the rare occasions that we go out, is easy when you are already tipsy when you arrive.  We sat at the window and we were as much entertainment for the folks walking by as they were for us.  People of note include the speeding corvette guys, the pink hair girl, the low rider bike guy, the various family units going by with shopping and with pizza boxes.  We were decked out, dresses and bow ties, and our attire was out of the ordinary to say the least. 


A grand old bridge


The wings all alone


An artsy use of a few tons of steel


Fly Icarus Fly


It was a busy spot where we cooled out heels in the shade


Canoes in the window


Fountains for the kids


My Angle looking to her right


So sweet!


Got to cool off from all that flowery stuff


Out we go to dinner


The stairs so tricky


Le 101 was named because all the workers think of it as a class to learn how make a great restaurant


Enthralled by the parade of unique human specimens, you just have to laugh


For instance, why is this guy pushing a kitchen grade chiller and counter down the street?


A Pork Turin


A delicate stuffed tomato


Lots of folks liked hanging out at the VOX


Leslie ordered the Black Pudding and the waiter came back a few minutes to tell us that there was no Black Pudding and so she had to order a substitute dish, the tomato above.  Then se was looking over at the kitchen area and the Chef found the Black Pudding.  She was watching the interaction between Chef and Waiter and she got to laughing.  When they looked over ar her laughing they started laughing too.  She nodded that she still wanted the now legendary Black Pudding.  But when our pork and the tomato dishes came out there was no sign of the Black Pudding


Not until we had finished our first plates and the table was cleared, did the Black Pudding arrive.  It deserves another look at this fine and super tasty dish.  The flavor was delicate and the texture was of a hot bread fresh out of the over.


Two Lamb Chop portion was large


And my flounder was raw until it cooked in the dashi broth







 It has been 85 days since we began our Migration.

28 August 2022 Quebec City: Rodger van den Hende Gardens

 


What a gem of a garden!  The Rodger van den Hende garden associated with is a teaching garden created in the early 60's.  It was free and was spectacular.  Different varieties of plants are grown each year in test plots.  It is a haven for birds and wildlife.  A Canadian bird watcher was excited about a cardinal that we were watching, as they are not usually found in Quebec City.  Black squirrels and chipmunks entertained us with their voracious appetites.  One chipmunk got into the birdfeeder and its cheeks were ballooning with seeds.  We had a picnic lunch and stayed at these gardens for over two hours.  So nicely designed and so many flowers!  Since I went flower crazy...again, I will try to add a whimsical rhyme to each flower picture




Gladiolas pink and red
Our narrators giant head


Sea of Plants
Pair of Pants


Millet in situ
Soon I will eat you


I want to take a moment to say how much fun I have had watching the Cardinals this season especially.  To see Albert Pujoles hit a home run this year.   Yadi Molina and Adam Wainright breaking all time records as a duo.  Then we see this cardinal!  Go Birds!


Black Squirrel
Squirrel Boy or Squirrel Girl?


White Seed Pod
Rocker Pod or Mod Pod?


It's Team Leip in the lead !!!


The flower seen
Is of a bean


A bean so long
Tis worthy of song


Apples so thick
No man could ever pick


Black berries so dark
In this floral park


Flowers so sunny
It seems almost funny


Sculptures garden of metals
With all artificial petals


A chipmunk now, fast on the prowl
Keeping just ahead of owl


Seed Pods erect in the sunlight
Deflect light rays to our eyes' delight


Bursts of blue and yellow
Quite the dapper fellow


Flowers red like flame
Quite the fancy dame


Funny stalks of pink
Makes a botanist think


Splashes of royal blue
This testimony is true


Bi-color display
On a beautiful garden day


Orange blooms afire
Flame forecast is dire


Pinpoint blooms abound
Daisies all around


Black eyes on these blooms
Speak to summers doom


Butterfly display
made of grass and of hay


Habitat for pollinators is an important issue for gardens.  They need a variety of pollinators so this structure provides different habitats that can be used for shelter. 


King Kale stands tall to speak
On top of old veggie peak


Here the Mountain of veg
Is taller than the collection of hedge


Anemone and flowery
Beautiful a certainty  


A walk of fame
So glad we came





 It has been 85 days since we began our Migration.