time for a blog update.  Past time actually, I have no excuses......

The weekend of June 25th, we took the girls to Montreal, Canada.  We boarded the Via Rail train in Brockville, Ca., (a thirty minute drive from the cottage).  The girls were disappointed at the port of entry to Canada that the custom and immigration inspectors wouldn't stamp their brand new, first ever passports.  We'll try again today when we go over to Brockville for fish and chips.

The train ride takes just shy of two hours and put us into centre ville station only a few block walk to Vieux Montreal.  Old Montreal was where we intended to spend our 2 days exposed to french speaking Canadiens.   We hoteled at the Le Westin, which was very nice.  the girls stay for "free"  in the suite.  By coincidence, our daughter and her husband were also in Montreal that weekend and also staying at the Westin.  they were there to see a friend, Max, & Nancy, of our son-in-law that he had met overseas. We met them briefly but for the most part we all did our own thing.

The weather for Saturday called for rain so before exiting the train station umbrellas were purchased and we were all glad of that later in the day.

After checking in at the hotel we walked down to a favorite restaurant, Marche de la Villette, on rue St. Paul and enjoyed a delicious repast.  The place was crowed and busy but our waiter payed special attention to the girls and they enjoyed the time spent there.

A block or so down the street from the bistro, some unseen hand un-zipped a dark rain cloud overhead and the rain poured out in a mini deluge.    Des parapluies were employed and offered protection for everything except shoes and pant legs.  Undeterred by the rain we did plenty of window shopping, souvenir buying, and food sampling.  Saturday night we made our way down to the waterfront to watch a spectacular fireworks display put on by the country of China.  Their theme for the display was, Kung Fu.
The girls were a little bummed due to the lateness of the hour and so didn't appreciate the show as much as they might have.  I was fatigued myself but was impressed by the 30 minute pyrotechnical extravaganza.

Sunday was spent doing additional shopping and sharing a single meal on the terrace of the Caberet du Roy.

We took the last train home and arrived back at the cottage around 2100 full and satisfied with our foray into the French-Canadien culture.

Let me not forget to mention the local restaurant we ate breakfast at in Brockville before catching the train to Montreal. It is just Katty-corner from the station and a busier establishment I've never set foot in; standing in line for a table seems to be  de rigueur.

The 4th of July weekend was enjoyed under perfect summer weather ( remember, as Dr. Jacobson used to say, we have two seasons up here: winter and the 4th of July). In addition to having our Texas grand daughters with us, their Uncle Jacob, aunt Kristy and 20 month old cousin Sophie made a whirl wind trip to enjoy the river and to enable Jay and Kristy to attend an impromptu class Reunion for Jay.  My sister Julie and her husband Dennis came up to visit by the river for 2 days and Auntie Michelle and Uncle Josh, aka "Uncle Shagworthy", stayed for the whole of the holiday weekend, returning to Albany on Tuesday.  And the Heiss' joined us for a picnic the evening of the 4th at the cottage.

There was plenty of beer drunk, BBQing, home-made ice cream eating, food et, swimming, kayaking, jart tossing, water balloon wars, Frisbee Kan-Jammin', book reading and parade and fireworks watching.  Really, it don't get much better than that!  Did I mention hammock swinging, sunbathing, and Limoncello sippin'.  Other assorted alcoholic beverages were imbibed by those who will remain unnamed.  Diane snuck in a baby shower at the neighbors.  Sister Julie actually immersed her body in the frigid St. Lawrence for the first time since her teen years.

All-in-all a 4th worth a post on one's blog.

Missing: Bob Jr.& Vanessa.  Jeff & Trish.