August 9, 2014                               Quebec City, Canada

We needed to replenish our galley supplies and were told a large grocery store was near.  The sky was blue and the temperature was cool.  We decided to walk.  Checking with a fellow walker, we learned the renowned farmer’s market was across the boat basin from the marina and much closer than the grocery store.  Dark clouds had suddenly come into view and rain drops began to fall.  We made the market (fully enclosed) just as a tremendous thunderstorm hit the area.

  

The market was clean, organized, and crowded.  Numerous booths held an array of gorgeous raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits that looked as if they had just come from the harvest.  Vegetables were equally fresh and blemish-free.  Freshly baked pies, tartes, cookies, and breads added wonderful smells to the place.  A large formage booth was crowded with buyers.  Refrigerator cases displayed an assortment of pork, lamb, chicken, and lots of fish and shellfish.  Splendid flowers filled booths and added beauty to the scene.  It was truly a feast for the eyes!

We planned to eat lunch before shopping but the market offered few dining choices.  Taking advantage of a brief lull in the rain, we ran across the boulevard to find a bistro that looked promising.  It was closing. The rain had resumed so we ducked into a pub for a drink.  Soon another couple joined us and we enjoyed a lively conversation about their travels and ours.  They related a funny story about a hotel booked on the internet (chosen because it was near the Detroit Museum of Art) which they soon recognized to be a  place for prostitutes and their clients. They considered Detroit to be ugly and dangerous.  Definitely not a city to visit for vacation.  The bar was close to our table and a young man seated on a nearby stool was oblivious he was exposing a significant quantity of his underwear to the two ladies behind him!  Too much information!!!!

The neighborhood was active and we eventually found La Cabane where we received a warm welcome and a table on a covered terrace.  Their specialty was mussels with a choice of twelve sauces.  David enjoyed succulent mussels in white wine sauce but I opted for lobster salad.  Mussels and frites had been a major indulgence while I was in Belgium.

After shopping at the market, we carried our bags laden with fresh fruits, vegetables, smoked fish, and a gorgeous blueberry-cranberry pie back to the boat.  Having no clue rain was imminent when we left that morning, we had not lowered the aft deck curtains.  The carpet was soaked.  Afternoon thunderstorms seem to be common occurrences here.  We will take umbrellas with us in the future and securely close the boat.