photography – Page 9 – OldPlaidCamper

Festibière

As mentioned last week, Mrs. PC was determined to attend the Festibière. I’m guessing here, but perhaps it was the thought of over 100 Quebec beers presented in one location (plus we could get there by bus) that caused her eyes to light up? Ever supportive, I went along. A bus ride? I’m in!

We went on the opening afternoon, a fairly quiet time, with most attendees seemingly retirees or young parents with small children. The daytime vibe was quite family oriented, very much a tasting and trying rather than big drinking event. Save that for OktoberFest and leave the young ones at home?

It being relatively uncrowded gave us the chance to chat to the vendors and brewers, chew over the various offerings and mostly still end up with IPA or APA. Adventurous, me? No, not with beer. Not after The Gose Incident. If you know, you know…

I did have a maple influenced saison that was really good, and Mrs. PC opted for a Belgian blueberry ale that was way better and more subtle than it could have been. Actually, looking back, somewhat hazy of memory, I also had an amazing stout from a tiny producer that was as good as any I’ve tried. There, not all pale ales!

Tiny (the volume produced, not the brewers – they were on the tall side if you were wondering…)

Aside from chitchatting with tall brewers in Franglais about the beer, we also learned about the small towns where the beer is made. The enthusiasm the brewers from Baie St Paul shared for their region had us looking up the area, and we’ll be heading there sometime in the fall, and not just to visit the brewery. But mostly to visit the brewery.

We tried eight new to us beers, four each, and if anyone thinks we overdid it, the servings were 4 oz, so we had the equivalent of a pint over the afternoon! Quality not quantity, and that’s something my younger self took some time to learn with beer…

Anyway, we spent a delightful afternoon down on the docks, and for the most part the weather cooperated. We (I) got absolutely soaked in a heavy downpour that lasted the five minutes it took from bus stop to venue. (One of us packed a light rain coat. And one of us steamed gently when the sun reappeared…)

Next year, following a better training schedule, and packing another light rain jacket, we’ll aim to taste the other 92+ beers we couldn’t quite manage this outing.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Dog days

It’s been an odd summer, not at all bad, but certainly mixed. We’re thoroughly enjoying exploring our new home, and enjoying securing contractors to complete various landscaping projects a bit less thoroughly. To be clear, the contractors are great – they’ve all been, quite rightly, “en vacances” – but they’re back now and trying to catch up on backlogs due to the rainy weather. Finding contractors? An invisible modern day problem to be sure, and actually the delays have been helpful – we’ve agreed not to go with the Poseidon statue. I was so hoping…

Almost there… perhaps a Poseidon statue?

It hasn’t been all rain and meetings with builders. In between showers we’ve enjoyed picnics in the park. One picnic spot looked like a set from the Teletubbies show. (If you don’t know the Teletubbies, keep it that way. Our daughter loved them when she was a toddler. She probably still does, but don’t tell her I said that…)

Scout has become more used to the heat and humidity, and with all the recent rain has even wondered if we left the rainforests behind? She might have a point:

Agreeable weather permitting, Mrs. PC has absolutely insisted we go along to the Festibiere this coming weekend. It took a bit of arm twisting. I mean, over 100 local beers? OK, yeah, maybe we’d enjoy that… We’ve put in some training:

Thank you if you took a look at the pig photo last week – I was going to write a not so controversial caption connecting pigs to Tories, but decided against it. All those greedy snouts in the trough, who wants to think about that? Instead, and far better, how about this joke from ACI?

A pig walks into a bar and orders 10 drinks. After he drinks them all, the bartender says “Don’t you need to know where the bathroom is?” The pig says “No, I go wee wee wee all the way home.”

That’s still funny after the umpteenth time!

There’s no way it’s going to get any better here this week, so let’s leave it for now. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Bacon

It’s been a full on time recently, so this week the post will be a brief one. I was going to share a few beer photos, and do a little write up celebrating our new discoveries, but that can wait because I remembered this photo:

If you’ve the time and inclination, I’d love it if you would like to suggest a caption. No prizes, but I’ll share anything suggested. Yup, you’re writing my blog – man, I’m lazy!

Thanks, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Colour

August already? Where did July go? Mostly in a blur for us, but it was a colourful one…

Colourful and damp! I read a report on The Weather Network noting that July in Quebec had been one of the wettest in recent times, with Montreal and Quebec City receiving more than 200% rainfall compared to the average. Sherbrooke, a small city to the southeast of Montreal, received over 301mm, the wettest month on record. Keep heading east, and the Maritimes was even wetter than QC, suffering floods and record breaking rainfall. Luckily, locally, we have an umbrella or two. Colourful ones at that.

What an ongoing worrying time, climate-wise, that this summer is proving to be. The floods mentioned above, the extreme heat in southern Europe, the wildfires in the north and west. Yikes!

There’ll still be plenty of desperate-for-power politicians pretending there’s nothing to see here, being bankrolled by insatiable-for-more-wealth billionaires, and often voted for by (gullible – maybe?) folks wishing it all away, but c’mon! What more do you need to see before accepting we’re in trouble?

Anyway, with July done, here’s hoping August isn’t too extreme (either way) for rain or heat. Selfishly, I’d settle for the low 20s, and lengthy periods of sunshine and blue skies after frequent (but not too frequent) rain showers. The days where a shaded pint seems like a good idea…

Keeping it brief. Youngest brother unexpectedly required and survived a lifesaving operation earlier this week. Mightily relieved is an understatement. Our plans to share a pint or two have been put on (temporary) hold. I’ve always told him no good ever comes of cider. Now beer, however…

Thanks for reading, and here’s wishing you comfortable conditions for a wonderful weekend ahead!

Leaves on the ground – the merest hint of fall ahead?! No…

Garden

We went through these gates and found ourselves in a delightful planted garden. Given the day was getting warmer and warmer, it was quite a relief to be wandering shaded paths as we admired the semi-formal arrangements.

An open (well, unlocked) invitation – let’s go!

As mentioned last week, I don’t have much gardening knowledge, but this didn’t prevent my appreciation of the colours on display. Mrs. PC is better versed in plant stuff (that’s a technical term) and confirmed these were hollyhocks:

Some of the areas were a bit overdone for my tastes, and other spots were just right. This, to my mind, is just right:

Probably because it appeals to my lethargic side…

Some of the wider vistas reminded me of the gardens of stately homes I was dragged around as a cheerful child back in the UK. You’ve probably seen a few serving as picturesque backdrops to televised British costume dramas. There is always a line going “Mr. and Mrs. Whittenstall-Ponsonby-Wealthy-Slave-Trader-Landed-Gentry-Hyphenated-Jones kindly request the company of…” and then you fall asleep.

“…request the pleasure of your company for our summer ball. Please wear an uncomfortable frock and a powdered wig. The ladies too…”

I particularly enjoyed the small stream running through the gardens, and was very tempted to dip a toe in the water. Mrs. PC stopped me just in time, and took this one as a reminder I really should listen:

PC disrobing and ready for a dip. Agreed, I do look good for my age, but it isn’t my garden.

Must have been temporarily disoriented by the heat, but with cooler heads prevailing, we repaired to a shady bench and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

As you might have gathered, I’m not one to make regular visits to stately homes or formal grand gardens, at least no more than once or twice in a decade, but my lack of seriousness aside, I did enjoy these gardens. I can very much appreciate the skill, effort and passion necessary to produce such a lovely setting. Our new backyard requires a little landscaping, and now we’ve so many ideas. I think Mrs. PC is open to a tasteful statue or two or three…

I’ll finish by saying thanks for reading, I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and sign off with a few more photographs below!

Lavender

Almost every image included this week will be tinged with lavender. I’ve thrown in a misty-eyed recollection from around the time when Mrs. PC and I first began to be serious about each other. (I remain serious on this point, and I think Mrs. PC might be as well, although that’s for her to say…)

So, it’s on with the rose tinted, oops, I mean lavender tinted spectacles, and away we go all the way to the Île d’Orleans, a little gem found just outside Quebec City on the St. Laurence River.

I don’t know too much about plants, but one I recognize and really like is lavender (and yet some dare to say I’d be no good as a gardener?) for the look and the fragrance. If you read last week’s post – brave of you and much appreciated – you’ll be relieved that everything is far more pleasant smelling this week.

We parked in fast receding shade at La Seigneurie de L’Ile d’Orleans, a lavender farm located on the northeastern tip of the island. After we paid a small entrance fee, Mrs. PC pulled me away from my conversation with the ticket vendor (all I was asking was if they had plants in any other colours, which earned me withering looks – I wilted) and we set off up a slight incline to find the lavender field.

The morning was very warm, with a slight breeze providing some respite and transporting the unmistakable scent of lavender. Wonderful! We crested the rise and before us lay hundreds – thousands? – of lavender plants, row upon row.

What an amazing sight! We wandered up and down the rows, so happy to be immersed in such a colourful scene. It made me feel almost like a child, and if I’d been younger, I might have actually run up and down the rows, cackling and cavorting to express my joy. But I didn’t – how many stern looks can an oversized toddler handle in one morning?

No cackling then, but plenty of droning – the steady buzz of hundreds of bees floating from plant to plant. The sleepy buzz-drone of bees is summer in one sound, and without wanting to be waspish about other insects, so pleasant compared to, oh, I don’t know, wasps? (Any wasps reading this, yes I know you’ll be seeing me soon enough, likely late August, probably in a beer garden – I’ll set aside a small saucer of beer if you promise to be nice…)

I was going to leave it there, but goodness, how could I almost forget to relate the tale of young love, from a time when two young yet-to-be OldPlaidCampers were first dating? It’s probably why you’re still reading this, isn’t it? Honestly, stop now, particularly if you like music. I stand by the musical choices shared below, but to many, they may possibly represent crimes against culture.

One of the big album releases of that long ago summer was Misplaced Childhood by Marillion. I liked Marillion, but not many did until Misplaced Childhood was released. Then, for a little while, it was less mortifying to like them, probably because a few of the tunes seemed to strike a national chord. One was the saccharine and sentimental Lavender, and if you’ve clicked the link or know the song, you’ll know what I mean.

Anyway, Mrs. PC borrowed the album from me and pretended to like it, and I borrowed Bowie’s Let’s Dance from her and pretended to like that. On such wobbly foundations one of the greatest love stories of our ti… oh, never mind all that, we started dating. And here we are a few short years later, still dating. Why, we went to a lavender farm together just the other day…

“A penny for your thoughts, my dear?” Okay, definitely time to wind this one up. I will mention, it took me forever to think up a title this week. I think it’s accurate? Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

These gates again? That’s for next week…

Cleaning up

Cleaning up or coming clean – this one might be a bit of a confession. Where to start?

Love this place – could easily stay here

We were wandering around in a very humid forest the other day, one of those grey days where you can feel the cloud cover just above your head providing a roof or ceiling for the mosquitoes – they were happily buzzing and humming around my ears, oblivious to the high strength bug spray applied earlier. They seemed almost disappointed. Haven’t you got anything a little stronger, sir?

As we walked, sweaty shirt clinging to and emphasizing my (admittedly very attractive) mid years physique, it occurred to me I was running low on clean clothing, and eau de repellent wasn’t making things any better. Being away from home comforts like a washing machine, you soon realize how they’re taken for granted.

“Yeah, you’re great and all, but if you could drop the leash, I might just run on ahead? I can find you – I’ll follow my nose…”

I don’t mind my reputation going before me, but when monuments, museums and public buildings are closing up as I approach, even I can take a hint. We (I) needed to find a laundromat. Mrs PC, fragrant as ever – and better at packing the essentials in sensible quantities – pointed out where the campground laundromat was, and all was well, at least for a few days.

“Where are you all going? Is it something I said, or something else?”

Yes, inevitably, what with the weather and my much vaunted “packing light” skills, it was back to the laundromat once more. Hmm, not fun, but at least I wasn’t being refused entry at historic sites, and Scout and Mrs. PC had stopped pretending to not know me.

This issue needed to be cleared up, or even cleaned up, and we managed to do just that. We purchased our very own washing machine. In fact, we went crazy and threw in a dryer. At those prices (eye watering, but not as eye watering as my special fragrance) it seemed like a good plan. Even better, the new appliances had a home attached! Huh? A home? That’s right, we’ve moved, and we’re now happy, fragrant, and almost settled residents of Quebec City.

“You’ve done your laundry? I like you again! Is that cheese?”

I know, I know, this entire post stinks. All that preamble just to say we’ve relocated for the next little while… For how long? Who knows? Until the beer and cheese runs out? Mmm, cheese, especially those blues ones, with that very special aroma…

Shout it from (and across) the roof tops – we like this city!

I think the new washing machine is beeping at me, so we’ll leave it here for now, all fresh and ready for whatever comes next. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Until the beer runs out? We may be some time…

A blast

Quebec City has been a blast – more about that to follow next week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Rainy day celebration

It will likely be a rainy day Canada Day tomorrow and we’re ok with that, as Scout has discovered some nearby forest trails that she’ll be happy to explore all weekend – we will too, provided there’s enough bug spray…

Many places are desperately needing significant rain to help douse wild fires, so fingers crossed for those locations, and a damp Canada Day would be very welcome.

Canada Day! I’ll repeat myself – now that’s never happened before on this blog, oh no – and say how much I love Canada and being a Canadian citizen. As a nation, it’s a work in progress, like anywhere, and there are faults and things to fix, but I mostly believe, to borrow a phrase or two, we’re paddling in the right direction, and the journey is the destination.

So, rain or shine, we’ll be wandering some eastern woodlands and delighting in the day. Might be too wet for outdoor eating, although the mosquitoes don’t seem to mind the rain and will doubtless have a bite or two, but when we reach beer o’clock, we’ll be happy to raise a glass and celebrate Canada!

Thanks for reading, and happy Canada Day tomorrow if you’re Canadian, almost Canadian or just like the idea of Canada! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Ongoing research

It’s been hot this week, and we’ve used that as an unnecessary excuse to conduct some important research. I’ve attached photographic evidence and some explanatory notes.

If the weather cools down and/or we can access better internet in the coming days, I’ll post something a little more detailed next week.

In the meantime, hello summer, thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

	Miriam on Taking a break
	Bob Stanton on Taking a break
	Jet Eliot on Taking a break
	Maria on Beer and chocolate…
	plaidcamper on Beer and chocolate…