Chauffeur service and back seat drivers

Today was a very typical day where all I seemed to accomplish was chauffeuring boys (actually, today it was just one boy... Oliver) to and from activities: to the pool, home, to the pool again, home again, to tennis lessons, home again. All the while, Oliver is looking out the window and delivering a non stop commentary on just about everything from to how others drive (too fast), to how I drive (too slow), to how many red cars he sees (not enough), to how many bumps we hit on the road (too many), to how we do not stop at for ice cream nearly enough... anyway, you get the picture. When we got home, I asked him for a tip and all I got was a clap on the hand and him telling me to keep the change ;) I had to remember that it could be worse... Alexander will be able to drive in just over 2 years. I think that I will enjoy my chauffeur status for as long as I can ;)

Hope you all had a good day! xox

Please note that Oliver did have a seat belt on while we were driving. He took it off before I had the chance to take his picture.

I also don't take photos while I drive... and I try not to drive into parks ;)

Dry

It is amazing how much dry, hot weather is affecting the world these days. Every time I turn on the news, there are terrible images of forest fires in Greece, the USA, Sweden, Canada (just to name a few). Despite two wet days last week, we have had very little rain since the spring time. Usually, I would love the summer warmth but the weather is taking a terrible toll on nature and farming. When we were in Tadoussac last week, we saw the aftermath of someone's lawn that had suddenly caught fire. Very charred and very scary!

Here is to wishing the very hot and dry places a little bit of rain... and respite!

xox

Our "little" hike in the Saguenay Fjord

As most of you know, Andreas is Scandinavian. If you are Scandinavian, you think that you own all the fjords in the world. Haha, Scandinavia! We actually have one here in Québec (you can read about it in this link). A good one too ;) So, true to his Scandinavian roots, Andreas wanted to check out the Saguenay Fjord.... and so we went!

To see the fjord, it is always really nice to climb up a nearby mountain. We were told (the boys and I... by Andreas) that we would go on a "little" hike to appreciate the full beauty of the area (no argument here... it IS beautiful). The only thing that came as a bit of a surprise (to Andreas as well) was that the top of the mountain (ie: best view) was like being on a stair master for 4 hours... on intense ;) I think Oliver started complaining as soon as we started ;) and the only thing that kept him going was the small girl who was right after us. As soon as she got close, he miraculously recovered his energy and made a mad dash to get ahead ;)

Anyway, after not really exercising for a few days, I feel like I have made amends ;) The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely beautiful and I am amazed that anyone would have put the energy into building stone steps up a mountain side. There is a statue of the Virgin Mary at the top so I am assuming it was (or still is) a kind of pilgrimage (details here). On the way down, I had to resist the urge to wish good luck to those starting their climb... especially the girl with flip flops... hope you made it! My biggest word of advice: do it... once... and bring lots of water.

The boys earned their Fortnite session back at the hotel ;)

See you all when we get home again! First stop, a "little" walk in Québec City ;) and then Montréal... xox

Camping adventures in Grandes-Bergeronnes

OK... let's put it all out there: I am not a big camping fan. While I don't totally hate it, camping usually fits somewhere on the "meh" scale for me. This time, Andreas can consider himself a camping-booking-genius because we had, not only the best weather, but the best view ever (see the link for Camping Mer et Monde here). We literally were able to whale watch from the picnic table at our camp site. Yesterday, the dinner show included a bottle of good red wine and some fin whale/beluga/blue whale sightings. The boys didn't even remember their Fortnite withdrawal while the whales were right in front of us (NOW that is something!). The thing that I liked the most was that we were not on a boat, going to the whales but that they actually came to us! It was totally awesome and, needless to say, I absolutely recommend it. Yes, me. I am actually recommending camping. Just do it. You are welcome ;)

After our beautiful weather, we are now sitting in our hotel room in Rivière Éternité, Québec. We came here for a "little" hike to see the Saguenay Fjord. Ummm....the hike did not end up being so little so we are now enjoying the much deserved break. Pictures will follow tomorrow..... Also, to give Andreas further credit in the planning department, it is now raining.... and we are no longer in a tent... and camping is no longer on the "meh" scale ;) Tomorrow, we head back to Montreal... and home!

Now, here is a bit of photo spam from Grandes-Bergeronnes.... and the whales:

Postcard from Tadoussac

Andreas, the boys and I are in Tadoussac (see here). After stopping at Montmorency Falls, we continued on to Tadoussac, checked into our hotel, had a lovely dinner and then went for a beautiful walk around the fjord. This place is absolutely stunning....

After tonight, we will be camping for 2 days (= no more internet) so I will save up the other pictures for Sunday when we get back to a hotel. Yes, the 2 hotel nights were Andreas' compromise to me ;) I don't mind camping but just not 4 nights worth ;)

Sending love from Tadoussac xox

Montmorency Falls

Lots of boys!

Malbaie, QC

Gamers in the car

Happy man!

Yum!

In the woods

Part of our "literature" walk

Tadoussac

Looking for the belugas