Day 11

Our B&B last night was the ChocoPorto a 254 year old farm house.  I asked what the origin of the name was, expecting a local legend about some 250 year old historically significant event.  The real answer actually appealed to me as it reflected a combination of the owner’s love of Chocolate and Port.

A plaque outside explained a family reunion of the Bernier’s from 1656 to 1960.

Breakfast was once again a sight to behold and a pleasure to consume. 

The B&B breakfast culture in this part of Quebec is astonishing.  We have consistently enjoyed remarkable presentation and delicious consumption.  Many of the B&B’s were chosen based on their recommendation as ‘Bienvenuwe Cyclist’ accommodation in the Route Verte book.  Cycling in Quebec is really a treat.

Our route today began on the paved shoulder of a local highway with a most uncharacteristic head wind.  It was quite cool as we started out but the sun was shining and we eventually ran out of wind to complain about.

Some of the views of the St. Lawrence were really beautiful as we came close to the beach in places.

At one point for a few Kilometers the route took us onto a more characteristic cycling trail through a beautiful park like area and delightful picnic areas.

On this section of the trail we were quite relieved to avoid the cleverly disguised tractor and bicycle trap that was ready to funnel us into the waiting wire surrounded container.

This area of Quebec must have a high proportion of agriculture involved in the dairy industry.  Everywhere you look there are silos corn and alfalfa fields.

It must be the time of year for cleaning the omnipresent containment barns of the farming community. One of the most annoying features of the last few days has been the presence of aerosolized, bacteria laden, particulate manure that passes easily through the nasal ciliary apparatus and smashes rudely onto the olfactory surface of the nose.  Yes…IT STINKS….

Tractor pulling wagon for manure dispersal on a local field.

Something had been in the back of my mind the last few days as we cycled through extensive dairying country.  I did not see many cows for all the silos, manure hauling, plastic wrapped bales and corn fields visible.  It suddenly struck me that all the cows were probably in barns where they live in controlled conditions giving maximum opportunity for increased production.

This is in contrast to the scene in New Zealand where the cows are on pasture eating grass and walking all day.  Lots of room for a discussion here.

The sun was just setting as we headed out for supper in this cozy little town on the shore of the St. Lawrence.