Both of us slept in this morning didn't wake till 6.45am we were going to have a early start today. Good heating in the basement we weren't cold last night and the socks dried. Thought we had better get up I put the kettle on made lunch and a flask of coffee while Richard had a shower and got the muesli ready then had my shower.

Went online for the address of Guidatours and the Information Centre before we walked to the Metro to go on two different lines then catch the No.11 bus to Chalet du Mont-Royal. The man behind the counter where you buy your tickets was very helpful we bought our round tickets (Seniors of course) for the day and showed us how to pull they through the gate to enter the
station. All the railway is underground we didn't have to wait and the train travels like a bullet.

Met a nice young couple on the train who showed us where to get off to catch the connecting train (Orange Line to Montmorency) where we get off at Mont-Royal. This was very easy had no problems finding the right platform just follow the right colour and name. Another quick ride just two stops to Mont-Royal but then we missed the No.11 bus and had to wait 30 minutes. Wish we had our winter jumpers on the wind goes straight through you.

We use the same ticket and the Driver was helpful told us which stop to get off and some other people were also getting off there too. If we had of driven here we would have paid a parking fee. Was a lovely walk through the the autumn sugar maple trees reminded us of the trail walking we did with Terry and Diana. Lots of trails here through the hill (mountain) side but we stayed on the main roadway to Chalet du Mont-Royal where you can see all of Montreal took a video and photos before going down the stairs to the bottom of the hill (mountain) to Montreal.

Richard always has the GPS on him reason being people do a smash and grab on your car to steal them and we would be lost without our Jill. Anyway Richard keyed in the address for the Information Centre in old Montreal so we can see where to book a walking tour of old Montreal. I followed the map down Rue Peel to Dorchester Square (Richard also found it with Jill) and we just missed the 11am tour of old Montreal East section. This was booked out and we have to pay for the tours as there are no free ones. Young chap behind the counter made some different suggestions of seeing the old city gave us a map for doing our own walking tour plus gave us directions to Guidatour for the afternoon tour or the West section. Went down stairs and phoned Guidatours and put our names down for the 1.30pm tour.

Nearing 12 noon so we walked to old Montreal found where Guidatour operates from which is the front of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. There was two musicians playing classical music in the Place d'Armes where we sat on a bench ate our lunch to their lovely music. With a little time to spare we walked up Rue Notre-Dame to the Three Court Houses. The first courthouse was built in 1856 a neo-classic style typical of the first half of the 19^th century, the second 1925 version is a return to classic simplicity with an imposing colonnade and the modern one now handles all the cases. The first courthouse till 1970 handled civil issues. Time was marching on we were cold from the wind so went into McDonald’s to warm up and use their toilets.

Walked back to the Basilica still early so we went over to the modern Royal Bank to keep warm till the tour started. There was about a dozen people on the walking tour (lots of oldies like us). Met the Guide Catherine shed spent a year travelling around Australia so we has something to talk about. We spent near thirty minutes at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture built between 1824 and 1829. The magnificent interior in wood and the bold modern design of the Notre-Dame-du-Sacre-Coeur Chapel captivates hundred of thousands of visitors each year. Paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows illustrate biblical passages as well as 350 years of parish history. It is a pity my photos of inside didn't turn out as the interior is really spectacular.

Outside in front of the Basilica is Place d'Armes originally built at the end of the 17^th century and used for parades and military events. In the centre is a statue of Paul de Chomedey the founder of Montreal erected in 1895. Next to the Basilica is the oldest building the “Vieux Seminaire”
erected between 1684 and 1687 by the Messrs of Saint-Sulpice who ran the Notre-Dame parish and were in charge of the island of Montreal for nearly two centuries.

On the north side of the square sits the Bank of Montreal founded in 1817 the oldest operating banking institution in Canada. Another beautiful building but my photo was blurred in a hurry when you are trying to listen to Catherine and take videos and photos.

On the other side is a red brick building the first high rise with a lift and the stone came from England all the other buildings are built from the limestone of the area. We walked down Rue Saint-Jacques which was once the Wall Street of Montreal (all banks) but now the buildings are condos or hotels.

Next we walked to the industrial/commercial section where the warehouses-stores were erected in the late 1860s and 70s. This area is used in films as the originate gas lights are still there, now all the buildings are either offices, condos or hotels. At least the buildings are being used and are not deteriorating.

There were a few extra buildings Catherine showed us some have been turned into Museums and we ended our tour near the Old Port, which we walked through before going back to the East section and looking at the buildings we didn't see this morning.

On the Rue de la Commune which runs along the front of the port is the Marche Bonsecours it was inaugurated in 1847 a symbol of Montreal's heyday. Was the city's main agricultural marketplace for over a century, housed a concert hall and even served as a city hall. Now it is a modern marketplace of stalls etc. Next to this is a 300 year old chapel which has the tomb of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys and the tower has a spectacular view of old Montreal.

By this time we had looked at so many old buildings they were blending into each other and we decided it was time to find the Metro Station 'Place d'Armes (Orange Line) and go back to out basement condo. No problems with changing to the Green Line to our stop Viau. The train is very quick.

We finished the day of touring at 5pm saw Yannick to see how to turn off the Sony Playstation (it was humming all last night). Had early showers and dinner. It is a challenge cooking with an exhaust fan that doesn't work and living in a basement with only a little window to get rid of the smoke. It is our last night here thank god. I hope the bed in Quebec is a lot better than this one.

Phyllis and John Skyped had a chat with them and asked Phyllis to get Real Estate Agents name and email address for house next door to us. Peter and Margaret never mentioned selling a bit sneaky doing it while we are away but I will email the agent and tell him the dividing fence is not the regulated height of 1.8m it is 1.5m and we can see Peter's head when he is watering. We would like the fence at the correct height before they sell.

Did some of today's blog while Richard was watching TV and using his ipad till it was time for bed.