Day 66 Quebec Cycling Tour Tuesday 23rd June 2015
By Mel
I started everyday nervous: Would the bike be OK? Would I be ready in time? Could I do the mileage? Would I manage the gears? How would I go on the hills? Would we get across the border OK? Could I keep up with the others? Would there be big downhills to terrify me?
And each day I would get on the bike and settle into a calmer happier place!
So with all that anxiety I headed in to Day 2 and a new ride staying on the Canadian side to avoid border crossing issues for a couple of stray Aussies! After a short ride – which did turn out to be about 10km – it began to rain, with thunder and lightening predicted.
Not feeling too sorry about a shorter day – we all wandered the town of Sutton. After hearing much about the local bakerys we treated ourselves to a 
delicious Olive bread roll. It looked like a large pretzel but more bread-like.
Meanwhile the bikes were re-loaded on the trailer. Home we went.
Ready with backup plans Stephen offered choices – a visit to a Chateau and winery. An Abbey. A famous bike Outlet store. The response was the Abbey and could we do the winery Wednesday eve.
The Saint Benedicts Abbey was a beautiful 30 minute drive and set on the edge of a lake. A Benedictine Abbey – a silent order.
The Abbey first built in 1912, it has been rebuilt and added to throughout the years. Now having an unusual ‘old but new’ kind of feel with ornate brick work internally.
There was also a large gift shop selling the wares produced by the Monks including Apple cider and a range of cheeses. Both of which we bought samples of.
The cider shared before dinner was delicious, a drier style than usual. The cheese not yet tried but as a blue cheese it has won world awards.
Each evening after dinner there was something to educate, entertain or both. This evening, a lecture on Quebec History by Jim Manson.
A 2 hour talk when you know you are riding in the morning – and have had a wine or 2 with dinner – is a challenge. I figured I would crash at intermission. Wrong.
Jim gave insight into the politics and development of Quebec and Canada – and we were all still there at the end. It was in the end Jim who had to leave us and questions kept coming.
