We sleep well here even though we have a smelly toilet to deal with. Woke up at my usual 6am my body is so used to that time it don't matter where I am in the world except if I am very tired or have had a little sleeping pill. Richard he sleeps like a log anywhere and doesn't wake till late or when I wake him with a coffee like I did this morning after doing emails, finishing last bit of yesterdays blog and looking at the map for where to stay first off on the other side of the Lawrence River in the last section of Quebec before New Brunswick.

Had coffee in bed and we decided to go to Ile d'Orleans today instead of tomorrow. The usual military routine of the morning for us shower, breakfast make lunch with flask of coffee and apples then off we go for the day. Well today it took a bit longer Richard was having problems with the GPS it didn't recognise Ile d'Orleans (the way the french spell it). Richard tried different ways until he though he had keyed the main Hwy 386 there.

Different man at the carpark said he would save our parking spot for this afternoon when we got back and said the island was only 8kms away and we would enjoy ourselves. Well that was a different story we maneuvered through the road works on the highway thinking we were going in the right direction when Jill sent us somewhere completely different. Pulled into Canadian Tire for directions and even that was difficult when you don't know french and the signs are confusing. The traffic was heavy we didn't know where we were going the stress level was increasing with all the roadworks so Richard just turned on the next ramp. Set the GPS for the apartment address and drove back there and even that was a bit mad with the under and over passes under contruction. We missed the turn off but we are used to this now but eventually arrived at the carpark.

Gilles and the Parking Attendent were wondering worry we were back so early they just laugh when we told them about the GPS taking us on a wild goose chase. We were going to go inside when Gilles showed us which way to go. Quick visit to the toilet Richard wasn't satisfied with Gilles directions so he keyed in the Orleans Golf Course which we followed. The directions on the GPS
were the same as what Gilles gave us first we went on the big highway we can see from the apartment so much construction with under and over passes but we managed to get to Hwy440E.

Lovely drive along the Lawrence River till we hit the construction work at the beginning of the massive bridge (Cruise Liners go under it) to Ile d'Orleans.   Just to the left of the bridge is Chute Montmorency the falls are over 83m tall and looks magnificant but with us it just looks like another
waterfall we have seen before crossing Canada.

First stop over the bridge was the Information Centre the lady was helpful just drive around the island look for the numbers on the map (I already had the tour book which I got at the old Quebec Information Centre) and stop if you can where you want. For Richard it is easy to go right as you don't need to cross over the road and we just enjoyed the scenery. Parked the car at Chocolaterie de I'Isle d'Orleans checked out all the chocolates didn't tempt Richard at all. Crossed the road and walked the promenade next to the river where you can see Quebec in one direction and the bridge in the other took a video and photos.

Lots of police here nearly everywhere you look there is a car or motorbike we had one follow us for a while but he gave up because Richard was going too slow 45kms instead of 50kms well we were enjoying the scenery. Went down a driveway to a B&B Auberge La Goeliche at the end of the island to have our lunch and coffee. A bit of history now in 1759 the English General James Wolf established his headquarters here to watch Quebec (which means “where the waters narrow down”. In 1865 across the river on South Shore he built three defence works (forts) on Levy's Point where the English bombarded and later captured Quebec. Where we are standing the South Channel was renamed “Channel of the tall ships” where the cruise liners and cargo ships follow up and down the river.   The Bull designates the turbulence by the meeting of the strong currents of unequal force originating from both branches of the river at the tip of the island and the other isde is called the North Channel.

Passed some strawberry fields took photos of the men in the field and bought a small punnet $4.00 down the road. Stopped at another number (73) Parc Maritime de Saint-Laurent a historial naval shipyard with access to the river. Guest what another police car is following us even when we stopped at a Catholic Church where the ferry Terminal and boatyard is.

The middle of the island is farmland of different vegies, potatoes, apple trees, grapes, cattle and diary for the cheese they make on the island. Stopped at another chocolate place but it was closed went to the lookout to see the view of the island and took some photos and video. Richard just watched from below having a cup of coffee till I came back.

Continued round the island letting the cars pass us till we got to Les Fromages de I'isle d'Orleans where Richard got some Camenbert cheese which they make on the premises. Round the island we passed lots of lovely homes and B&B's where you can stay.   Apple Orchards on this side of the island and grapevines as well.

Now we are back at the beginning and we cross the bridge to go back to Quebec but we have a little mishap getting off the bridge the normal construction and detour to get on the highway to go to Quebec but we managed to get home through all the construction on the big crossover bridge near the apartment.

Parked the car in a different spot and glad to be back to rest. Had an early dinner did the blog Gilles called by re us going upstairs tomorrow morning and paying him for the extra night. Went on Trip Advisor and found a chalet in Riviere-du-Loup on Saint Lawrence River for two nights. Discussed it with Richard and booked it online through Booking.com. Emailed Motel Aufleuve D'Argent to confirm there was WIFI, kitchen for cooking and parking ad there was. Richard watched the last of the English speaking DVD's I listened while typing and then it was bedtime.