If so, here's a song I wrote a long, long time ago and it still stands the test of time. I hope you all enjoy it. And remember, despite all the political arseholes we suffer, we really do live in a lovely place.

I have to say, for all the crappy weather we've had so far in the Quebec City Region, the Sunday drives I've had have been in full sunshine! Admittedly, it's been frostier than a witch's tit, but hey, heated seats are roughing it...makes me more attuned to the journey's of the early Voyageurs...

I was pleasantly surprised today as I was not expecting to see much on the drive, but the highway 132 Ouest wanders along the south shore of the St. Lawrence through farmland and small villages, with plenty to look at. I'm certain this area is beautiful in summer! Every so often the road dips down to water level (most of this shore is cliff) where there's a municipal park overlooking the river.

One of the neat things about this area is that you get to see many large oceangoing ships. That's a treat for a shipbuilding guy like myself. These boats are referred to as 'Lakers' because their design is such that they can be no larger than the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which enable the vessels to be floated 'uphill' or 'downhill' through a series of locks between the island of Montreal and the Great Lakes. I'm not sure if this particular vessel is a Laker or not. She may have come down from Montreal, which is as far as they can go if over-sized for the seaway.
Fun Fact: My mother's father worked on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway back in the 50's...so that's cool!

I drove right down to route 55 near Trois Rivieres, then headed south to hook up with the 20 (Autoroute Jean Lesage) then headed back to Hotel President Kennedy where I'm residing while in Levis. All in all about a four hour trip.

This shipbuilding gig I'm working on keeps me busy every day I'm away from home. But, on the weekends I like to work a few less hours and take in some of the region's goings on. Today I decided to go across the river and take in the car show I'd heard a little about. I took a bunch of pics but will only post a taste of what I was looking at, just to keep my posting brief (I don't like long rambling narratives...believe it or not!).

This is one I wrote not so long ago, let me explain. I like to drive. So when I leave my home in LBMCOC, in no particular hurry (like going to the gym), I take the Long Way. The 'Long Way' is out through Torbay, Flatrock, Pouch (Pooch) Cove and across the Pouch Cove Line. That's some of my only writing time when I'm at home. Song lines will come in my mind and I'll work on them, trying different approaches to their structure...but usually the way it pops in my head is the most promising!

The girl in this song is a combination of girls I know, or more accurately I knew, some of whom worked the bars and the hotels and kept the nightlife running in St. John's. I don't know where most of them are anymore, but I like to think that wherever they are, it's an adventure! There don't have to be answers to everything.

The recording was done in November 2015 and the cd came out in December. It was recorded over a six week or so period at Dave Fitzpatrick's studio on Hodgewater Line. He was easy and fun to work with...and he's always taking bookings! His musical and production talents bring the song to life!

​So, Yes, I have been quite busy since my last posting. Besides the long hours at work in the shipyard that is. Had a few days off last weekend to tour around Montreal and Quebec with my gal. We had a great time, 2 days in Montreal checking out the downtown then 2 days in and around Quebec City. The weather was good…and cold. We did do a fair amount of walking while in Montreal but once in QC it was not pleasant…the Polar Vortex had come to stay. Not to worry though, the car has heat! We took a drive up the north shore of the river to St. Anne de Beaupre to have a look at the church. Very impressive architecture! Legend has it that ‘true believers’ are healed by prayer there. There may be truth to that as the walls are adorned with cast away crutches and the like. Truth or not, the building alone is worth the drive up there.
Following that we braved the elements and wandered along the ‘shopping street’ in St. Anne. Not much open but one shopkeeper chatted with us for a few minutes. When she found out we like to see Artwork, etc. she suggested coming back in the summer and visiting Baie St. Paul, a 45 minute drive further east.
The word of the day was ‘explore’ so we went east anyways, along a highway that took us up over the hills and down the other side into the little town of Baie St. Paul. It was lunchtime so we scoped out a restaurant/microbrewery and had the special beer soaked smoked meat on rye. Delicious, as were the pints as well. Following that we wandered along the strip and dropped into a few galleries that were open. Only a small fraction of what’s there though! This community is full of artists & sculptors! A definite second trip (in summer) is warranted for sure!
On the way back to Levis we took the side trip to circumnavigate the Isle d’Orleans which is another summer ‘artsy’ destination.
 
But, reality bites…summer seems a long ways off, even from an April point of view! It’s been snowing, freezing, raining and then all that over again for weeks now. They tell me the region has lovely weather in summer…based on what I’ve seen since February I’m not convinced, but I’ll take them at their word and wait and see.