Quebec.3

The caravan has moved on to Tadoussac, whale watching capital of Canada. A quaint town of clapboard houses set up to receive tourists and to deliver them onto the seas in search of the massive mammals. It's a great place.

We were lucky with the clear skies and calm seas yesterday when Pig and Groupie set out on the pride of the AML fleet, Le Grand Fleuve. This is a far cry from the Zodiac boats which jet out from the quay to get very close to the whales but your intrepid duo are rather more into luxury and had therefore opted for the VIP package on the big ship. Expensive, yes a little, but  a decided success. You get a private lounge with panoramic views and a private deck so that you don't have to charge from side to side of the ship when the beasts are sighted. You also get as much food and drink as you might be tempted to take. Worth the extra. We saw beluga, fin and minke whales and some grey seal. Astounding.

And that was not the end to the day's delights. After a brief rest we walked around the headland by the quay and the usually unobservant Pig spied a fin whale close in to the shore. A free bonus. All of this followed by an excellent dinner at La Bolee where classic French style cuisine meets Canadian standards of service. Again, outstanding. The Pig had beetroot soup, venison and maple syrup ice cream washed down by a very acceptable local Riesling. Today we are heading further up the North Shore for some more coastal delights and some leaf peeping.

An interesting diversion - I have been watching some playoff baseball with French commentary. Tres interessant.