Prairie Boy

Day 3-4

We rated Les Matins de Victoria as one of the two best B&B experiences we have ever had (out of 200 + and counting).  Maurice and Ginette our hosts really outdid themselves with superb hospitality and cuisine.  They had a full house including a couple from Edmonton, a couple from Lyon France with their son and 3 year old daughter and two friends meeting from Ottawa and Vermont. Breakfast was presented as a spectacular parade of 6 courses of lovingly prepared food. 

Our dream ... Custard, fruit Torte for breakfast!!

Conversation bounced back and forth between French and English with the lady from Ottawa providing translation where needed.  After the meal Terry from Vermont brought out his guitar and sang a couple of songs.  He was entertaining and really added a new dimension to a B&B.

We finally started out on the trail at 10:30 and soon realized that this was going to be a day with lots of ups and downs as we entered a much hillier terrain. 

 
Fall decorations were abundant on shops including this coffee shop in Eastman.

Our day ended with lunch and a tour around Magog, a lovely, albeit touristy town on the edge of a beautiful lake. 

 

The next two days were very special as Cathy and I connected with some friends we have had for over 40 years.  Paul and Martin were veterinary students who came to Saskatoon in the summer of 1972.  I was working with them in the W.C.V. M. clinics that summer and we became friends.  We have seen them a number of times over the years and really appreciate a great friendship and a window into Quebec from real Quebecers. 

 

Martin picked us up in Magog and drove us to his home. Paul and Valerie joined us for a superb supper prepared by Jacinthe, Martin’s partner. We regaled each other with stories from the last 40 years as laughter and tears dissolved the evening away.   It was such a delight to have Martin’s son Matthew join us at the end of the evening.  We have fond memories of a canoe trip we took with Paul and Matthew years ago in Northern Saskatchewan.

Trent, Cathy, Martin, Jacinthe,Valerie, Paul

 

The next day was full of visiting with Paul and Valerie, meeting some of their family and exploring around Coaticook.  We met Yuri and Cedric, the twin boys whom we had never met before. I really enjoyed the tour of Richard's Metal shop.  CNC lathes always amaze me with precision and speed compared to my low tech wood lathe.

Paul, Cedric and Cathy in Richard's Metal business.

Unfortunately, Heidi was in Montreal so we never had a chance to meet her on this trip.

Valerie and Paul

Fish stocked pond in Paul and Valerie's yard

Some of Paul's sheep being fed in the barn.

We had a wonderful evening as we experienced ‘Team Penning’ with Paul and his friends.  Paul has been riding horses as long as he can remember and has recently been spending more time reconnecting with his past and pursuing this sport of ‘Team Penning’.