Monday 15 August 2022

Well, we are off at last. We are hoping it may be a little cooler in Canada as it has been super hot here the last two weeks - mid 30’s for us is tropical.  Some spots of rain this morning but we are gone before the thunderstorms arrive. Eric is keeping an eye on the sky and the traffic.

Next stop is local to the airport , gives us a chance for some relaxation before potential airport chaos.

We are in luck and have a lift to the airport.  We are there the allotted three hours before and although the there are queues at security they are not too bad at all, although the airport is very busy and virtually no-one wearing face masks.  

Going the security checks and one of us goes through no problem at all, even with a spectacle repair kit containing two small screwdrivers . Of course the usual suspect gets pulled to to go through the full body scanner, and even then is physically patted down, run over with a metal detector asked questions about whether they are carrying any sharp objects and then also clothing sampled by detector swab the usual rectangular swab testing  for any explosive substances. Eventually finish all that and wait for bags to come through x-ray machine - once again the usual suspects toiletries bag is siphoned off for further inspection. The same lady who had done all the bodily patting  down and testing now asks if she can test the toiletries! “Yes, no problem” was of course the repl. After deciding there were no harmful substances being smuggled through, the lady then asks if all of the toiletries in the bag belong to one person (which they don’t, they are enough for the two us). Have already checked before we come that the amount in the bag meets the requirements but she seems to think there is too much in there. After checking with the other partner that indeed some of them were theirs, and that they didn’t bring any liquids through themselves, the operative finally releases us into the wider airport environs.

Stop for the obligatory coffee and a bun.  In tidying up the cups one person somehow manage to spatter cappuccino froth over the top and trousers of the other.  A trip to the ladies room and a singing down is required to repair the damage. 

Called to gate, which requires a transit train.  We travel under the runways.

There’s our plane.

Later that same day - due to five hour time difference and a seven hour flight, we land at Montréal airport at 8:20 local time. Customs is all self done initially, and then quickly checked by a custom’s officer meant that we cleared the airport in about forty five minutes.  Now to find the hotel shuttle bus.  Do we need to ring the hotel or just assume that they turn up regularly outside the airport?  The latter was the case - at half hourly intervals.  While we were waiting we chatted to a lady and her family who had left northernmost part of Canada at (Nunavut) nine thirty that morning, and was waiting for the shuttle bus with us at nine in the night

The discussions entered not only on the length of time it took them to get there but also about whales. Mostly that they form a main part of their diet, which they hunt and kill to eat along with such things as Arctic Char. , which apparently is just the best fish. We were even shown a video of one of the children eating some Beluga whale pieces (raw, like sushi).  It looked very pink, a bit like salmon but the dad of the family said it was very fatty.  All very pleasant conversation whilst waiting for a bus. 

Journey to hotel was short and sweet, check in easy - although despite having pre-paid for our room, still had to scan a card, which would take fifty dollars for ‘just in case’ sundries. Apparently we will have this returned on check-out.

According to our body clocks it is now two thirty in the early hours of the morning, but only nine- thirty local time.  Time for a cup of tea before bedtime The receptionist did say the restaurant was open until one am but we avoided that. 

A chair to sit in and a bed to lay on. 

And now to sleep (we hope)