In Canada

We started with two day's visit to Paris (fabulous) where we stayed in a studio (very small but he did give us a bottle of wine) in the 15th arrondissement which was very good. First afternoon we headed for the Bibliotheque Nationale which has four huge towers, supposedly like open books but as we dashed for cover from a thunderstorm we saw that it was built around a huge (about two football pitches) with fully grown pines and birches. Ate heartily at La Cantine des Tontons.

Next day a cruise on the Seine, a great Thai lunch and found the Picasso museum closed for refurbishment so went to the museum of the history of Paris where we saw Proust's bedroom (amongst other interesting things). 

A wander through the Jardin des plantes brought us to a Bryony!

The flight to Montreal with Corsair was fine, better than our last two Lufthansa experiences. Had forgotten that Montreal was the world's second largest French-speaking city so everything in French, but that's OK. Also, no leaves on the trees yet, it's just the end of winter!  And we've just left summer in France!

Very different from Paris with more litter and people begging on the street, but also a wider range of ethnic restaurants, little wine (too cold) and lots of beers. Like in the USA prices are before taxes and tipping is obligatory.

The hostel we're in did a guided walk around the old town then we headed for the hill (233m) of Mont Royal with great views over the city.

Managed to get two tickets for Cirque du Soleil's new show called Kurios which was stunning, especially as Montreal is their home.

Saturday was rain so we planned two museums but only managed one - just too much to see at the Musee de Beaux Arts. Then train to Ottawa where we are sitting in our one-bedroom suite. Conference for Chris today (Sunday). Walking tour and orientation for J.