July 21-24                            Montreal, Canada

We were pleased on Monday when Nick arrived to repair the salon air-conditioner (once more needing a Freon boost).  Wayne, whom David had met earlier in the week, graciously asked one of his own employees to come to our aid.  He quickly and competently solved the problem.  An emigrant from Greece, he told us an amazing story of the convoluted way he finally achieved citizenship in Canada.  After hearing of his struggles and deprivation, we once again appreciated our good fortune to have been born in the United States.

Long hours waiting for locks to open had meant significant use of our bow thruster.  Apparently, it made it to Montreal and then died.  This is a major problem and the marina had no recommendations for help.  Wayne had left so he was not a resource for information.  David began tackling the problem.  Two days later, he discerned a new part would be needed to repair the unit.  This was ordered to be delivered to his office and he would bring it back to the boat when he returns from Texas.

I left David to visit Chateau Ramezay, the oldest house in Montreal and located at the top of the hill above Vieux Port and our marina.  Built in 1705 as a private residence, it was considered to be the grandest house in Canada at the time.  Through the years, it has been renovated many times to be governmental offices, a school, and now a museum depicting early life in Montreal.  In 1776, Benjamin Franklin came here and tried to convince the Canadians to join with the colonials against the British.  Obviously, he was not successful.  Franklin later stated, “It would be easier to buy Canada rather than fight for it.”  Perhaps we missed a great opportunity!

There were some excellent exhibitions in the museum—a 1901 automobile made in France, a metal device to suspend dead bodies for display after being hung (a means to discourage crime), and an explanation of transforming beaver pelts into fashionable top hats for gentlemen.  Two rooms had been transformed into a French salon with the addition of gorgeous paneling and Baccarat chandeliers, once in a Parisian mansion.  These were gifts of France after being displayed in the Montreal Expo.  Behind Chateau Ramezay was a large garden space with flowers and vegetables.  It was a quiet and lovely oasis in the middle of a busy tourist area.

Other projects kept us on the boat most of the time.  It was never boring.  There was an active people scene all around us.  A spectacular fireworks show on Wednesday night reminded us of our experience a week earlier as we were in the middle of the mayhem surrounding the scene.  Watching from the bridge, we enjoyed the show much more!  Tomorrow we leave for Texas and Belgium.  Marina staff have been notified and agreed to watch over the boat. We look forward to returning and continuing our journey.